DATE=12/16/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-243105 TITLE=US/IRAQ ATTACK (S-ONLY) BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS A LAUNCHED A MILITARY ATTACK AGAINST IRAQ FOR BAGHDAD'S FAILURE TO ALLOW UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO CARRY OUT THEIR WORK. THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE AT ABOUT 5:08 P-M (WEDNESDAY) FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, WHERE CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS. TEXT: WITH MILITARY ACTION ALREADY BEING SEEN OVER THE SKIES OF BAGHDAD, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART CAME BEFORE REPORTERS TO ANNOUNCE "A SUBSTANTIAL" U-S MILITARY STRIKE, AS HE PUT IT, AGAINST IRAQ HAD BEGUN. /// LOCKHART ACT /// THE PRESIDENT DECIDED TO TAKE THIS ACTION THIS MORNING, AFTER REVIEWING THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE REPORT TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL AND SECURITY COUNCIL YESTERDAY BY UNSCOM CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER AND DISCUSSING THE SITUATION WITH HIS FOREIGN POLICY TEAM HERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE. I EXPECT THE PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS THE NATION FROM THE OVAL OFFICE WITHIN THE HOUR. /// END ACT/// THE MILITARY ACTION HAD BEEN FORESHADOWED BY THE SUDDEN DEPARTURE OF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS FROM BAGHDAD. BUT IN AN EXTRAORDINARY BREAK WITH TRADITION, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT THE STRIKE, SAYING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON FACING POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT IN THE MONICA LEWINSKY MATTER, BOTH THE TIMING AND THE POLICY ARE SUBJECT TO QUESTION. (SIGNED) NEB/NJS/WDC/RRM 16-Dec-98 5:38 PM EST (2238 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
