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13 November 1997

STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE U.S. IS NOT RULING OUT ANY OPTIONS

(U.S. won't wait indefinitely for compliance with UN) (480)
By Jane A. Morse
USIA Diplomatic Correspondent
Washington -- At the State Department midday November 13, Spokesman
James Rubin emphasized that the United States has not ruled out any
options -- including a military response -- in dealing with Saddam
Hussein's recalcitrance.
He also pointed out that the United States will not wait indefinitely
for Iraq to comply with its commitments to the United Nations.
"As far as military questions are concerned, all I can say is that we
haven't ruled any options out," Rubin said. Rubin declined to describe
any deadline for compliance from Saddam Hussein. "All I can tell you
for sure is that we will not wait indefinitely," Rubin said. Iraq's
refusal to allow U.S. inspectors to do their work with United Nations'
disarmament commission teams is "unacceptable" and is "a further
challenge to the international community," he said.
Secretary of State Albright, Rubin said, "will be consulting closely
with our allies and other members of the Security Council on how to
respond to Iraq's latest challenge to the international community."
Despite the suspension of the U.N. inspections, there are other ways
the world can monitor Iraq's activities related to the production of
weapons of mass destruction, Rubin said. He added that "We are all in
a position, we hope, to be able to keep the pressure on Saddam Hussein
and make sure he realizes that delaying the work of UNSCOM (U.N.
Special Commission on Iraq) is like throwing away the key to unlocking
sanctions."
According to Rubin, the U.N. Security Council, in voting unanimously
to impose new sanctions on Iraq, sent the "right message" to Saddam
Hussein. Saddam Hussein has "seriously miscalculated" in thinking he
could drive a wedge between the United States and the rest of the
international community, Rubin said. "Even countries that tended to
support his case or at least express some sympathy for his case in New
York, are now united as one...."
"The world stands united in demanding that Saddam Hussein reverse
course," Rubin said.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson will be seeking
"further action" in the Security Council November 13, possibly a
Security Council statement of condemnation, Rubin said. "That action
will have a very simple purpose," Rubin explained, "(that) will be to
demonstrate to Saddam Hussein that his attempt to divide the world has
failed."
He added that "the only thing he (Saddam Hussein) understands is
firmness; the only thing he understands is a united Security Council
supporting the U.N. Special Commission...."
Rubin portrayed Saddam Hussein as having painted himself into a
diplomatic corner. "There is only one way out," Rubin said. "And that
way out is to comply with the United Nations, allow the inspectors to
do their job."