DATE=9/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-IRAN (L)
NUMBER=2-254476
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton has sent a message to
Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, seeking Iranian
help in tracking down those responsible for the
bombing of a U-S military barracks in Saudi Arabia
three years ago that killed 19 Americans. V-O-A's
David Gollust reports from the White House.
Text: The letter -- the first of its kind by Mr.
Clinton to his Iranian counterpart -- is understood to
have been sent a few weeks ago, with officials here
confirming it only after a report of the message were
carried by a Kuwaiti newspaper.
The two countries have no diplomatic relations and
the letter was carried to Paris by a staff member of
the White House National Security Council where it was
given to an emissary from Oman for delivery in
Tehran.
White House spokesman Joe Lockhart was reluctant to
discuss the contents of the message but did confirm it
contained the appeal for help in the investigation of
the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing:
/// LOCKHART ACT ///
I'm not going to get into the details of the
letter, as it is private diplomatic
correspondence. I will make the point, though,
that we have said before that we are seeking the
help of many countries in this, including Iran.
/// END ACT ///
Saudi officials have been quoted as saying they
believe the devastating terror attack -- which killed
19 Americans and wounded hundreds -- was carried out
by Saudi dissidents with the help of Iran. But a
joint investigation by Saudi officials and U-S F-B-I
agents has thus far failed to find those responsible.
Spokesman Lockhart would not say whether there has
been a response by President Khatami to the Clinton
letter, though he noted that Iranian officials have in
the past denied that Tehran was behind the Khobar
Towers attack.
Officials here say the President's message reaffirmed
Administration interest in an official dialogue with
Iran that would address problem issues -- among them
Iran's alleged support for terrorism and strident
opposition to Arab-Israeli peace efforts.
President Khatami endorsed the renewal of people-to-
people contacts with the United States after his
election in 1997, in a gesture welcomed by President
Clinton.
But U-S analysts believe the Iranian President -- a
relatively moderate Muslim cleric -- is wary of
renewing governmental ties with Washington because of
opposition from religious hard-liners. (Signed)
NEB/DAG/WTW
29-Sep-1999 16:53 PM EDT (29-Sep-1999 2053 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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