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13 November 1997

TEXT: CLINTON STATEMENT ON IRAQ EARLY NOVEMBER 13, 1997

(Decision to expel Americans clearly unacceptable) (380)
Washington -- The unanimous decision November 12 by the U.N. Security
Council to insist that Iraq stop interfering with U.N. weapons
inspections, "plainly sent the right message," President Clinton says.
"Comply now with the U.N. resolutions and let the UNSCOM (United
Nations Special Commission) team go back to work," Clinton told Iraq
November 13 in remarks in the East Room of the White House, where he
was about to sign into law legislation funding activities of the
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education.
"Iraq's announcement this morning to expel the Americans on the
inspection team is clearly unacceptable and a challenge to the
international community," the President said.
"Let me remind you all again," he added, "I will say this everytime I
discuss this issue. These inspectors in the last six years have
uncovered more weapons of mass destruction potential and destroyed it
than was destroyed in the entire Gulf War. It is important to the
safety of the world that they continue their work. I intend to pursue
this matter in a very determined way.
Following is the White House text of his statement on Iraq:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
November 13, 1997
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON IRAQ AT BILL SIGNING CEREMONY
The East Room
THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, before I make my remarks about
this legislation that we have all worked on, I'd like to say a few
words about yesterday's United Nations Security Council resolution on
Iraq.
Plainly, it sent the right message: comply now with the U.N.
resolutions and let the UNSCOM inspection team go back to work. Iraq's
announcement this morning to expel the Americans from the inspection
team is clearly unacceptable and a challenge to the international
community.
Let me remind you all again -- I will say this every time I discuss
this issue -- these inspectors, in the last six years, have uncovered
more weapons of mass destruction potential and destroyed it than was
destroyed in the entire Gulf War. It is important to the safety of the
world that they continue their work. I intend to pursue this matter in
a very determined way.
(end text)