U.N. Envoy Optimistic on Iran-Iraq Peace Moves

Vernon A. Walters, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, on Saturday concluded talks with Soviet officials and said he is “very hopeful” of reaching an agreement on international measures to end the Iran-Iraq War.

Walters shrugged off Soviet charges Friday that the United States is aggravating the situation in the Persian Gulf through its military buildup, emphasizing the portion of the statement that called for international action.

The veteran trouble-shooter, who arrived in Moscow on Tuesday night, was heading for China as the next stop in his mission to get support for a U.N. resolution to halt the nearly seven-year-old war.

“I’m leaving today on a long journey to try to put an end to the Iran-Iraq War,” Walters said while attending a Fourth of July celebration at the U.S. Embassy. “It’s a long trip, but it’s worth it if it succeeds.”

Although Western diplomats in Moscow earlier had expressed doubts about the Soviet Union supporting the U.S. plan, “I am very hopeful,” Walters said.

Cease-Fire Resolution

The resolution, as described by Western diplomats, would require a cease-fire, a withdrawal from occupied territory and the enactment of an arms embargo against either side refusing to honor a cease-fire. Iraq has called for a cease-fire, so the resolution would be aimed against Iran.

The Soviet Union, despite being the main arms supplier to Iraq, has good relations with Iran. Western diplomats had expressed doubts that Moscow would take a chance on endangering relations with Tehran.

There also were doubts about the position of China, which supplies arms to Iran. The resolution needs the support of all five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council--the United States, the Soviet Union, France, Britain and China.

The Soviet statement Friday termed the expanded use of U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf “impermissible” and warned that if they are not withdrawn, the Iran-Iraq War could erupt into a full-blown international crisis.