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U.N. Security Council Approves Sanction Overhaul Against Iraq

Aired May 14, 2002 - 14:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: From New York now, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approving an overhaul of sanctions against Iraq.

And for more on that, our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth, tracking that.

Richard, good afternoon.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Bill.

The U.N.s carrot and stick approach with Iraq goes on. Today, it's more carrots, and more than just carrots, really. More civilian good and products to go along with food and humanitarian supplies that have already been approved to go into Iraq.

That's really at heart of what today's unanimous vote in Security Council is all about -- getting more goods to the Iraqi people, and hopefully not to the government of Iraq.

It's also designed to tighten the list of items that could be used for military purposes while also being labeled as consumer goods, to stop that from happening in.

Inside the Security Council, unity today on this vote. The United States and Britain believe that now, if Iraq challenges the West on this issue, they can say we've gone as far as we can with offering goods to the Iraqi people. It's up to the Iraqi government to comply with wishes of the U.N., and allow the weapons inspectors in -- Bill.

HEMMER: Richard, Syria is a member of that Security Council. It's been a long time ally of Iraq. Clearly, they voted in favor, because the vote came down 15 to nothing. They did not abstain or vote no. Explain their role right now in what happened today at the U.N.

ROTH: Syria said it was, quote, "high time that sanction were completely" lifted on Iraq. It's the wishes of the Arab people, is what the Syrian ambassador said.

Also, he charged a double standard. Why doesn't the Security Council enforce its resolutions on Israel instead of now, again, challenging Iraq. But Syria also does play another role, according diplomats and analysts, and that is illegal smuggling of Iraqi oil through pipelines through Syria.

Syria denies this, but many people say this is indeed occurring, a lot money that goes unchecked to Iraq.

HEMMER: Richard, does this get Iraq any closer to getting its sanction removed or released or lessened in any way?

ROTH: It really doesn't. The next move, up to the government of Iraq, and the Iraqi ambassador already is opposing what was approved today, saying we're still not going to get all products we need.

Basically, the United States and Britain are worried that you can take a fermenter, which can be used for beers or vaccines, but that could also be turned into something that could be used for biological weaponry. That's the concern today.

Two-track approach, still: cut down the military goods and let more civilian products go in to the people.

HEMMER: We'll see how it works. Richard, thanks. Richard Roth at the U.N.

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