ACCESSION NUMBER:264337 FILE ID:TXT201 DATE:01/26/93 TITLE:CLINTON -- U.S. WILL STAY WITH IRAQ POLICY (01/26/93) TEXT:*93012601.TXT CLINTON -- U.S. WILL STAY WITH IRAQ POLICY (VOA Editorial) (400) (Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America January 26, reflecting the views of the U.S. government.) The new administration of President Bill Clinton has made it clear in both words and deeds that it will continue to insist that Iraq comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions. The day after President Clinton took office, an Iraqi missile battery used its radar in a hostile manner to track American planes patrolling the "no-fly" zone in northern Iraq. In accordance with previously established rules of engagement, the American planes attacked the Iraqi missile site. A similar incident took place the next day. President Clinton stressed that United States policy on Iraq will not change. "It is the American policy," he said, "and that is what we are going to stay with." Secretary of State Warren Christopher also stressed the continuity of U.S. policy toward Iraq. "The United States intends to protect our pilots in the 'no-fly' zone," he said. "The Iraqis know perfectly well what it takes to comply with the U.N. resolutions and with the establishment of the 'no-fly' zones." Secretary Christopher said the U.S. attack on the missile site shows the determination with which the Clinton administration will pursue its policy toward Iraq. The United States and other members of the international coalition have established "no-fly" zones in both northern and southern Iraq to protect coalition pilots helping to monitor Iraqi compliance with U.N. Security 1ouncil Resolution 688. This resolution demands that Iraq cease immediately its repression of the Iraqi people. Earlier this month, after repeated Iraqi violations of the "no-fly" zones, officials of the United States, Britain, France and Russia issued a formal warning to Iraq. When the warning was ignored, coalition forces took military action. The coalition members have made it clear that further actions will depend on the Iraqi regime's behavior. As President Clinton said in his inaugural address on January 20, America "will not shrink from the challenges" it faces in a changing world but will work with its friends and allies to shape change. President Clinton said that when America's "vital interests are challenged, or the will and conscience of the international community is defied, we will act -- with peaceful diplomacy whenever possible, with force when necessary." NNNN .
