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."
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