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March 1998

• Iraqi National Congress Reports
• [EXCERPTS] UN SPOKESMAN'S DAILY BRIEFING FOR MARCH 31, 1998 The inspections of the presidential sites in Iraq seeme to be moving along. Six out of eight sites had already been inspected. Two more sites, the Republican Palace and the Sijood presidential site, were expected to be visited in the next few days.
• IRAQ / U-N VOA 3/30/98: U-N ARMS EXPERTS ARE NOW HALF WAY THROUGH THEIR FIRST EVER INSPECTIONS OF IRAQ'S PRESIDENTIAL PALACES.
• EDITORIAL: HALABJA GASSING ANNIVERSARY MARCH 28, 1998 THIS MONTH MARKED THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF A GHASTLY WAR CRIME. ON MARCH 16TH, 1988, IRAQI FORCES CONDUCTED A CHEMICAL WEAPONS ATTACK AGAINST CIVILIANS IN HALABJA, A KURDISH TOWN IN NORTHERN IRAQ.
• IRAQ / U-N VOA 3/28/98 U-N ARMS INSPECTORS SAY THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED FEW PROBLEMS SINCE BEGINNING THEIR FIRST VISITS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL SITES EARLIER THIS WEEK.
• IRAQ/U-N VOA 3/26/98 U-N ARMS INSPECTORS THURSDAY GAINED ACCESS TO ONE OF IRAQ'S PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
• UNITED NATIONS INSPECTS ITS FIRST IRAQI PRESIDENTIAL PALACE By Judy Aita USIA United Nations Correspondent -- 26 March 1998 (Officials say weapons inspection "went very well")
• The Legality of Military Action Against Iraq By Douglas Scott - 25 March 1998 - Memorandum On The Question Whether Existing Security Council Resolutions Are Sufficient To Authorize The US To Take Military Action Against Iraq
• IRAQ / U-N VOA 3/25/98 A LARGE TEAM OF U-N ARMS EXPERTS ARRIVED IN BAGHDAD IN ADVANCE OF THE FIRST EVER U-N INSPECTION OF EIGHT IRAQI PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS.
• DoD News Briefing Tuesday, March 24, 1998 - Possible efforts to transport anthrax into the United Kingdom; U.S. forces in the Gulf.
• IRAQ/U-N VOA 3/24/98 -- THE HEAD OF THE U-N ARMS COMMISSION IN IRAQ, RICHARD BUTLER, HELD MORE TALKS WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ AS U-N OFFICIALS PREPARE FOR THEIR FIRST-EVER INSPECTIONS OF EIGHT PRESIDENTIAL SITES.
• BRITAIN / IRAQ VOA 3/24/98 BRITISH OFFICIALS HAVE CONFIRMED REPORTS OF A POSSIBLE IRAQI CHEMICAL WEAPONS ATTACK ON BRITAIN, BUT STRESSED THERE IS NO IMMINENT OR SPECIFIC THREAT TOWARDS THE COUNTRY.
• [EXCERPTS] UN SPOKESMAN'S DAILY BRIEFING MARCH 24, 1998 -- 18 diplomats had arrived in Baghdad today. They would accompany the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to eight presidential sites in Iraq.
• EDITORIAL: IRAQ'S OTHER U-N OBLIGATIONS Voice of America 3/24/98 -- EVEN IF IRAQI DICTATOR SADDAM HUSSEIN KEEPS HIS WORD ON WEAPONS, IRAQ WILL STILL BE FAR FROM COMPLYING WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.
• EDITORIAL: COHEN -- IRAQ CRISIS NOT OVER Voice of America 3/22/98 -- YEARS OF IRAQI DELAYS, DECEPTION AND DECEIT HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT IRAQI DICTATOR SADDAM HUSSEIN CANNOT BE TRUSTED.
• BUTLER/IRAQ Voice of America 3/22/98 -- THE CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR OVERSEEING THE DISARMAMENT OF IRAQ HAS RETURNED TO BAGHDAD FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE INSPECTIONS PROCESS REACHED A CRISIS LAST MONTH.
• Head of UN special group inspecting Iraqi presidential sites announces names of participating diplomats UNITED NATIONS REPORT, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1998
• UN SPOKESMAN'S DAILY BRIEFING MARCH 19, 1998 The Commissioner of the special group charged with the inspection of the eight presidential sites in Iraq, Under-Secretary-General Jayantha Dhanapala announced in Geneva the initial composition of the special group.
• OBSERVERS NAMED FOR IRAQI PRESIDENTIAL SITE TEAMS 19 March 1998 (American, British envoys included in list)
• Cohen Says Saddam Must Provide Full Accounting of Weapons By Paul Stone, American Forces Press Service 19 March 1998 -- Saddam Hussein must offer "convincing evidence" Iraq has destroyed its weapons of mass destruction before the current crisis can come to an end.
• Report Dr. Sadoon Hammadi Speaker, The National assembly Baghdad, Iraq -- 19 March 1998 - The Arab Parliamentary Union, of seventeen members, held its 31 annual meeting in Sanaa the capital of the Yemen Republic from 16-18th of March, 1998. The following themes were the common denominators :- That sanctions imposed on Iraq, Libya and Sudan are unjustified and should be promptly ended.
• UN/IRAQ 3/19/98 Voice of America A TOP UNITED NATIONS OFFICIAL SAYS U-N INSPECTORS -- ACCOMPANIED BY A GROUP OF DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS -- WILL SOON BEGIN WEAPONS INSPECTIONS OF EIGHT PRESIDENTIAL SITES IN IRAQ.
• FACT SHEET: U.N. SANCTIONS ON IRAQ 18 March 1998 (Facts about United Nations economic sanctions on Iraq)
• COHEN SAYS "BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON SADDAM HUSSEIN" 17 March 1998 (Cites growing threat from weapons of mass destruction)
• TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS IRAQI CRISIS IS NOT OVER 17 March 1998 (Saddam Hussein must give evidence of what he destroys)
• TEXT: UNSCOM CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER'S PRESS BRIEFING AT THE UN 16 March 1998 (Cites unprecedented access to sensitive sites in Iraq)
• U-N / IRAQ WEAPONS INSPECTION Voice of America 3/13/98 THE HEAD OF THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH DISARMING IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION SAYS HIS INSPECTION TEAM HAS BEEN GIVEN GREATER ACCESS TO SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES IN IRAQ THAN EVER BEFORE.
• SENATE SEEKS TRIAL OF SADDAM HUSSEIN AS WAR CRIMINAL CONGRESSIONAL REPORT , FRIDAY, MARCH 13 -- The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution that urges creation of a United Nations tribunal to try Iraqi President Saddam Hussein as a war criminal.
• SENATE-IRAQ Voice of America 3/13/98 THE U-S SENATE HAS PASSED A LARGELY SYMBOLIC RESOLUTION THAT LABELS IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN A WAR CRIMINAL AND SAYS HE SHOULD BE TRIED AS ONE.
• ADMINISTRATION STUDYING SENATE RESOLUTION ON SADDAM HUSSEIN USIA WHITE HOUSE REPORT, FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1998 Asked if the Clinton administration regards Saddam Hussein as a war criminal, McCurry said "this administration has not formally joined in any such charges..."
• U.S. AND POST-IRAQ POLICY: TIME FOR DIALOGUE? USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report - March 11, 1998 - With the Iraqi crisis no longer in a mode of escalation, the foreign press offered suggestions regarding U.S. policy in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf and detected trends that Washington should note.
• UNSCOM SAYS SENSITIVE SITE INSPECTIONS SUCCESSFUL USIA 13 March 1998 -- The head of the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) overseeing the destruction of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq said weapons experts received "access of a kind that we've never had before" during recent inspections.
• TRANSCRIPT: INDYK MARCH 13 PRESS CONFERENCE IN TUNIS 13 March 1998 "We have very strong political and military relations with all the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and they are keen to see us stay in the Gulf to help protect our common interests in a region that is vital to the world," says Martin Indyk, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
• TRANSCRIPT: UN SEC-GEN ANNAN AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB 12 March 1998 - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said "Iraq's complete fulfillment" of obligations to disarm weapons of mass destruction "is the one and only aim of the (February 23) agreement" he negotiated with the Iraqi government.
• [EXCERPT] DoD News Briefing -- 12 March 1998 - The STENNIS has arrived in the Gulf, and the GEORGE WASHINGTON will leave on Saturday.
• [EXCERPT] U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing -- 12 March 1998 -- IRAQ Authorization for Use of Force/Consultations with Security Council
• TRANSCRIPT: STATE DEPARTMENT NOON BRIEFING, MARCH 12 We have taken the position that we believe there is legal authority internationally contained in two resolutions Resolution 678 and Resolution 687 in the sense that if Iraq is in violation of Resolution 687, the cease-fire resolution, the underlying authority authorizing member states to use all necessary means against Iraq is contained in Resolution 678.
• 11 March 1998 TRANSCRIPT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN'S REGULAR BRIEFING Any news on the possible redeployment of troops that are in the Persian Gulf now? No. That's a decision the President will make in due course, and right now the troops are staying there. Iraq has made a number of declarations and has been unable to satisfy the U.N. Special Commission or UNSCOM that it has in fact lived up to these declarations.
• IRAQ / U-N ( Voice of America 3/11/98: THE CHIEF OF THE SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS TEAMS WHICH WILL INSPECT IRAQ'S PRESIDENTIAL SITES FLEW TO BAGHDAD WEDNESDAY TO BEGIN MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE INSPECTIONS.
• CLINTON / U-N / IRAQ Voice of America 3/11/98: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE WOULD CONSULT WITH U-N ALLIES BEFORE TAKING ANY MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ, BUT HE MAINTAINS THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT NEED U-N APPROVAL.
• TRANSCRIPT: BACKGROUNDER ON CLINTON/ANNAN MEETING MARCH 11, 1998 -- President Clinton and UN Secretary General Annan agree on the need for vigilance in monitoring Iraq's compliance with the terms of its pledges to Annan regarding weapons inspections, senior administration officials said.
• TRANSCRIPT: CLINTON-ANNAN Q&A WITH REPORTERS IN THE OVAL OFFICE 11 March 1998 -- President Clinton said he was pleased with the agreement that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan "worked out with Iraq to continue the inspections, as well as the access which has been provided to the UNSCOM inspectors which was previously denied.
• IRAQ / U-N VOA 3/11/98 THE CHIEF OF THE SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS TEAMS WHICH WILL INSPECT IRAQ'S PRESIDENTIAL SITES HAS ARRIVED IN BAGHDAD.
• E/CN.4/1998/67 - 10 March 1998 Report on the situation of human rights in Iraq, submitted by the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Max van der Stoel
• IRAQ INSPECTORS VOA 3/10/98 A CONTROVERSIAL AMERICAN ARMS INSPECTOR HAS LEFT IRAQ AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF INSPECTIONS.
• EDITORIAL: IRAQ'S USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS VOA MARCH 10, 1998
• BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM VOA 3/10/98 THE TERM "BIOLOGICAL TERRORISM" HAS BECOME VISIBLE RECENTLY IN LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN OVER IRAQ'S SUSPECTED BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM.
• IRAQ, MONEY MAIN TOPICS FOR CLINTON-ANNAN MEETING MARCH 11 USIA 10 March 1998 (UN SecGen seeking support for agreement with Iraq)
• [EXCERPTS] TRANSCRIPT: WHITE HOUSE DAILY BRIEFING USIA 09 March 1998
• UN SETS PROCEDURES FOR VISITING IRAQ'S PRESIDENTIAL SITES USIA 09 March 1998 (Visits expected to begin in two weeks)
• EDITORIAL: UNITED NATIONS WARNING TO IRAQ VOA MARCH 6, 1998
• U-N / IRAQ WEAPONS INSPECTIONS VOA 3/6/98 THE UNITED NATIONS COMPLETED WORK TODAY (FRIDAY) ON PROCEDURES FOR THE INSPECTION OF PRESIDENTIAL SITES IN IRAQ.
• RUSSIA / IRAQ WEAPONS INSPECTIONS VOA 3/6/98 RUSSIA IS ASKING U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO APPOINT A SPECIAL RUSSIAN DISARMAMENT EXPERT TO WORK WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS IN IRAQ.
• AMB. BILL RICHARDSON PRAISES UNSC FOR KEEPING SANCTIONS ON LIBYA VOA 06 March 1998 (Says world still demands trial of accused Pan Am bombers)
• UN SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN TO MEET WITH CLINTON USIA 06 March 1998 (Visit set for March 11 in Washington)
• ANNAN WILL TRAVEL TO THE MIDDLE EAST MARCH 19-26 USIA UNITED NATIONS REPORT 06 March 1998
• IRAQI SENSITIVE SITES INSPECTED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, U.N. SAYS USIA 06 March 1998 -- (UNSCOM's Scott Ritter and team visits three sites)
• SENATORS SAY ALLIES MUST PAY MORE FOR IRAQ, BOSNIA OPERATIONS USIA 06 March 1998 (Civilian and military officials defend allied support)
• TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN ON IRAQ, BOSNIA SUPPLEMENTAL USIA 06 March 1998 (Says Iraq's commitment must be tested and verified)
• SENATE-IRAQ-BUDGET VOA 3/6/98 THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS ASKING CONGRESS FOR EXTRA MONEY TO PAY FOR THE TROOP BUILDUP IN THE PERSIAN GULF
• IRAQ/INSPECTORS VOA 3/5/98 AN AMERICAN U-N INSPECTOR WHO WAS EXPELLED FROM IRAQ ON CHARGES OF SPYING HAS RETURNED TO THE COUNTRY TO RESUME HIS DUTIES
• U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL CREATES POST OF SPECIAL ENVOY TO BAGHDAD USIA 05 March 1998 -- (Ambassador Prakash Shah of India appointed to UN post)
• TRANSCRIPT: UN SEC-GEN KOFI ANNAN INTERVIEW ON PBS NEWSHOUR 05 March 1998 (U.S. military stay in the Gulf is Clinton's decision)
• TRANSCRIPT: RIEDEL MARCH 4 WORLDNET "DIALOGUE" ON IRAQ USIA 05 March 1998 (UN to Saddam: comply or face severest consequences)
• GENERALS CLARK AND ZINNI SOUND WARNING ON KOSOVO, IRAQ, LIBYA USIA 05 March 1998 (Approaching breaking point in Kosovo, NATO commander says)
• U-N / IRAQ COMMUNICATIONS VOA 3/4/98 U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS PREPARING TO APPOINT A SPECIAL ENVOY TO IRAQ.
• TEXT: NATO STRONGLY SUPPORTS COMPLIANCE WITH UN-IRAQ ACCORD USIA 04 March 1998 (North Atlantic Council discussed Iraq situation March 4)
• TEXT: MILITARY FORCES IN "HIGH STATE OF PREPAREDNESS" IN GULF USIA 04 March 1998 (American citizens cautioned concerning travel to the region)
• CLINTON SAYS UN RESOLUTION SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE TO IRAQ USIA 03 March 1998 (Says Iraq must obey commitments without excuses)
• Iraq and the Security Council Vote Thomas Pickering, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs -- Tuesday, March 3, 1998 Washington Foreign Press Center
• TEXT: STATEMENT ON IRAQ AT UNSC BY SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN USIA 03 March 1998 (Diplomacy must be backed by both force and fairness)
• TEXT: CLINTON STATEMENT LATE MARCH 2 ON UNSC RESOLUTION USIA 03 March 1998 (Iraq must make good on its commitment on inspections)
• EUROPE'S NON-POLICY ON IRAQ: WHO IS TO BLAME? - USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report - March 3, 1998
• TEXT: UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON IRAQ MARCH 2, 1998 USIA 03 March 1998 ("Any violation would have the severest consequences")
• SENATE PANEL CALLS FOR TRIBUNAL TO PROSECUTE SADDAM HUSSEIN USIA 03 March 1998 CONGRESSIONAL REPORT
• U.S. HAILS UN RESOLUTION ON IRAQ AS SERIOUS BREAKTRHOUGH USIA 03 March 1998 (Pickering: resolution still needs threat of military force)
• UNSC UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSES MOU REACHED BY ANNAN IN BAGHDAD USIA 03 March 1998 UNITED NATIONS REPORT (UNSC passes resolution on Iraq) (1020)
• TEXT: DOD ANNOUNCES ACCELERATED ANTHRAX VACCINATION PROGRAM USIA 03 March 1998 (Vaccinations to begin this month)
• TEXT: SOLDIERS IN THE GULF TO RECEIVE ANTHRAX SHOT SERIES USIA 03 March 1998 (Vaccination plan accelerated for military protection)
• U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS VOA 3/2/98 MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL REACHED AGREEMENT ON A RESOLUTION WARNING IRAQ OF SEVERE CONSEQUENCES IF IT VIOLATES ITS WEAPONS INSPECTION ACCORD
• U-N / IRAQ INSPECTIONS VOA 3/2/98 MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAVE AGREED ON A DRAFT RESOLUTION THAT INCREASES PRESSURE ON IRAQ TO ABIDE BY ITS ARMS INSPECTION ACCORD.
• SENATE-IRAQ-SADDAM VOA 3/2/98 AN IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUP IS ASKING FOR OPEN, DIRECT SUPPORT TO OVERTHROW SADDAM HUSSEIN.
• EDITORIAL: RICHARDSON ON FEEDING IRAQI PEOPLE VOA MARCH 3, 1998
• [EXCERPT] U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing -- 03 March 1998 -- IRAQ Interpretation of UN Security Council resolution calling for Iraqi compliance UNSC authorization useful but not necessary for potential use of force No timeframe for early test of Iraq's compliance with UNSCOM inspection agreement UN SYG Annan's assurance that UNSCOM retains control over inspection process Requirements for lifting sanctions; peaceful intentions No USG intent to conduct bilateral US-Iraq meetings Reported Iranian military incursion into eastern Iraq Trigger for military action
• [EXCERPT] U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing -- 02 March 1998 -- IRAQ Diplomats (Special Group), No-Notice Inspections and UNSCOM Discussions About Iraq With Allies on Secretary's Trip to Europe and Canada Iraqi Compliance with Agreement/Possible Use of Force and Ally Support Language of the Agreement/Message Contained in Language Opposition Parties to Iraq UN "Special Group," and UN and Ambassador Butler's Authority Russian, Chinese, Pope's Remarks Concerning Possible Military Conflicts Timeline for Iraq's Implementation of Agreement US Ambassador to Kuwait Meetings with Iraqi Mr. Al Bakr
• [EXCERPTS] TRANSCRIPT: WHITE HOUSE DAILY BRIEFING, MARCH 2, 1998
• ALBRIGHT IRAQ VOA 3/2/98 THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO ACT REGARDLESS OF THE WORDING OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION.
• US SAYS BUTLER AUTHORITATIVE ON IRAQ/UN MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING USIA 02 March 1998 WHITE HOUSE REPORT
• TEXT: STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN ON COALITION CONSULTATIONS ON IRAQ USIA 02 March 1998 (Coalition consulting in case Baghdad fails to comply)
• IRAQ: SECURING AMERICA'S INTERESTS USIA 02 March 1998 By Samuel R. Berger
• IT'S UP TO IRAQ USIA 02 March 1998 By Madeleine K. Albright
• TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE'S TRIP TO EUROPE ON IRAQI SITUATION USIA 02 March 1998 (Maintaining close relationships with European allies)
• TRANSCRIPT: WORLDNET INTERVIEW WITH FORMER U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR USIA 02 March 1998 (Iraq retains potential to reacquire weapons of mass destruction)
• IRAQ/BUTLER/HAMDOON VOA 01 March 1998 - DISAGREEMENT APPEARS TO HAVE EMERGED BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR FOR THE UNITED NATIONS OVER WHO REMAINS IN CHARGE OF INSPECTING IRAQI PRESIDENTIAL SITES.
• IRAQ WRAP VOA 01 March 1998 - MINISTER AMIR MOHAMED RASHEED ALSO REPEATED IRAQI CLAIMS IT HAS DESTROYED ITS TOXIC WEAPONS ARSENALS AND U-N SANCTIONS SHOULD BE LIFTED.
• IRAQ OPTIONS VOA 01 March 1998 - SEVERAL KEY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SAY IT IS TIME FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO ADOPT A PLAN TO TOPPLE IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.