DATE= 11/18/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222867
TITLE=CLINTON/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS SENDING ADDITIONAL U-S MILITARY
AIRCRAFT TO THE GULF DUE TO THE CONTINUING CRISIS WITH IRAQ OVER
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. BUT THE ADMINISTRATION IS HOLDING OUT
THE PROSPECT OF SOME CONCESSIONS IF SADDAM HUSSEIN PERMITS THE
WEAPONS SEARCH TO RESUME. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE
WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: MR. CLINTON MADE THE DECISION TO REINFORCE U-S AIR POWER IN
THE GULF AT A MEETING HERE OF THE HIS NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL.
THE ADDITIONAL DEPLOYMENT WILL AUGMENT A U-S MILITARY PRESENCE
INCREASED LAST WEEK WITH THE DISPATCH OF A SECOND AIRCRAFT
CARRIER TASK FORCE TO THE AREA.
BUT EVEN AS IT INCREASES ITS GULF MILITARY CAPABILITY, THE
ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO MAKING CLEAR IT IS WILLING TO ENTERTAIN
THE NOTION OF SOME CONCESSIONS -- PROVIDED IRAQ UNCONDITIONALLY
COMPLIES WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND ALLOWS THE U-N TO RESUME
ITS SEARCH FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SAMUEL BERGER TOLD
REPORTERS THIS COULD INCLUDE MORE LIBERAL SALES OF IRAQI OIL
UNDER THE U-N'S OIL FOR FOOD ARRANGEMENT:
///BERGER ACTUALITY///
ONCE THIS IS RESOLVED, IF IT IS RESOLVED SATISFACTORILY,
AND SADDAM HUSSEIN COMES INTO COMPLIANCE, LETS
INSPECTORS BACK IN, WE WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF HAVING MORE
OIL AVAILABLE UNDER U-N SUPERVISION, FOR FOOD, TO AVOID
ANY SUFFERING THAT WE CAN POSSIBLY AVOID FOR THE IRAQI
PEOPLE. THE PROBLEM OF COURSE IS THAT SADDAN HUSSEIN
DOESN'T COOPERATE WITH THIS PROGRAM AND WE HAVE TO FORCE
HIM PROVIDE FOOD FOR HIS OWN PEOPLE. BUT WE WOULD BE
VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.
///END ACT///
IRAQ WAS ALLOWED TO SELL TWO BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL FOR
U-N/DISTRIBUTED FOOD AND MEDICINE UNDER AN INITIAL PHASE OF THE
PROGRAM BEGUN EARLIER THIS YEAR. NEWS REPORTS SUGGEST THE SALES
VOLUME MIGHT BE DOUBLED UNDER A CRISIS-ENDING FORMULA.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER BERGER ALSO SUGGESTED SAID THE UNITED
STATES MIGHT BE WILLING TO ACCEPT FEWER AMERICANS ON THE U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAMS -- PROVIDED IT WAS A DECISION BY THE U-N
INSPECTIONS COMMISSION UNSCOM MADE ON TECHNICAL GROUNDS AND NOT
DICTATED BY IRAQ:
///BERGER ACTUALITY///
IT'S ALWAYS UP TO UNSCOM. IT'S BEEN UP TO UNSCOM FROM
THE BEGINNING. AND AS LONG AS THEY MAKE THEIR JUDGEMENTS
NOT BASED UPON SOME POLITICAL FACTORS, BUT BASED UPON
PUTTING THESE TEAMS TOGETHER ON THE BASIS OF TECHNICAL
COMPETENCE, THAT'S A JUDGEMENT THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN FOR
THE CHAIRMAN OF UNSCOM TO MAKE. WE WOULD NOT ACCERPT AS
A PRINCIPLE THAT THERE COULD NOT BE AMERICANS ON THESE
TEAMS.
///END ACT///
AMERICANS HAVE MADE UP ABOUT 15 PER CENT OF THE 140-MEMBER
INSPECTION MISSION. IRAQ'S DECISION TO EXPEL THE U-S PERSONNEL AT
THE END OF OCTOBER PROVOKED THE LATEST CRISIS AND PROMOTED UNSCOM
TO SUSPEND GROUND OPERATIONS IN IRAQ. AN AMERICAN U-2 SPY PLANE
FLEW OVER IRAQ IN SUPPORT OF THE U-N MISSION TUESDAY DESPITE
IRAQI THREATS TO SHOOT IT DOWN. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/EH
18-Nov-97 12:48 PM EST (1748 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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