DATE=12/16/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-243101 TITLE=LOTT-IRAQ (S-ONLY) BYLINE=DAVID SWAN DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN WHAT IS BELIEVED TO BE AN UNPRECEDENTED ACTION, THE U-S SENATE MAJORITY (REPUBLICAN) LEADER ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT AMERICAN MILITARY STRIKES ON IRAQ - IN PART, HE SAYS, BECAUSE THE TIMING IS SUSPECT. THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME JUST BEFORE THE UNITED STATES ATTACKED IRAQ. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS. TEXT: IN AN UNUSUAL, SHARPLY WORDED STATEMENT, REPUBLICAN LEADER TRENT LOTT SAYS HE WILL NOT GIVE PRESIDENT CLINTON HIS BACKING FOR THE USE OF FORCE AT THIS TIME. THE SENATOR IS SKEPTICAL OF WHITE HOUSE ASSURANCES THE ACTION IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO DELAY THE PENDING IMPEACHMENT VOTE IN THE HOUSE (OF REPRESENTATIVES). MR. LOTT SAYS BOTH THE TIMING AND THE POLICY ITSELF ARE SUBJECT TO QUESTION. THE MAJORITY LEADER SAYS THAT INSTEAD OF WHAT HE CALLS A CURSORY AIRSTRIKE, HE WANTS AN INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN, WITH THE GOAL OF TOPPLING PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. WHILE OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS OFTEN ATTACK THE PRESIDENT'S HANDLING OF THE GULF SITUATION, THEY RARELY REFUSE TO LEND THEIR SUPPORT AT THE MOMENT OF CRISIS. ANOTHER KEY REPUBLICAN SENATOR, JOHN MCCAIN, SAYS HE WILL FULLY SUPPORT THE ACTION IF IT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO WEAKEN PRESIDENT SADDAM (HUSSEIN). OTHERWISE, HE SAYS, THE MOVE IS DESTINED TO FAIL AGAIN. (SIGNED) NEB/DS/WDC/RRM 16-Dec-98 5:18 PM EST (2218 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
