DATE= 11/20/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-223003
TITLE=CLINTON/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: HERE IN WASHINGTON, CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY
THEY ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE OUTCOME OF THE GENEVA MEETING -- BUT
TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE AS TO WHETHER IRAQ FOLLOWS THROUGH
WITH ITS PROMISE TO ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS TO GO FORWARD.
V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS MORE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON HIMSELF TOOK A CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO THE
EVENTS IN GENEVA IN COMMENTS TO A GATHERING OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS
HERE. HE SAID THE FIVE-NATION MEETING REAFFIRMED THAT THE U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTORS -- INCLUDING THE AMERICANS -- MUST BE ALLOWED
TO RETURN TO IRAQ AND RESUME THEIR WORK WITHOUT INTERFERENCE OR
CONDITIONS. MR. CLINTON SAID WHETHER SADDAM HUSSEIN ACTUALLY
LIVES UP TO HIS AGREEMENT TO ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN REMAINS TO BE
SEEN:
///CLINTON ACTUALITY///
IN THE COMING DAYS WE WILL WAIT AND SEE WHETHER HE DOES,
IN FACT, COMPLY WITH THE WILL OF THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE UNITED
STATES MUST REMAIN AND WILL REMAIN RESOLUTE IN OUR
DETERMINATION TO PREVENT HIM FROM THREATENING HIS
NEIGHBORS OR THE WORLD WITH NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL OR
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT I HOPE WILL
BECOME MORE IMPORTANT TO ALL AMERICANS AND A GREATER
SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION. WE MUST DO THAT.
///END ACT///
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS INSIST NO CONCESSIONS WERE MADE TO
IRAQ IN RETURN FOR ITS AGREEMENT TO RE-ADMIT THE INSPECTORS.
IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY RUSSIAN OFFICIALS -- WHO TRIED TO MEDIATE THE
DISPUTE IN RECENT DAYS -- HAD AGREED TO PRESS FOR THE LIFTING OF
POST-GULF WAR ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ AND AN END TO THE
U-2 SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS THERE. HOWEVER, WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL
SECURITY ADVISER SAMUEL BERGER INSISTED THE UNITED STATES WAS
NOT A PARTY TO ANY DEAL WITH IRAQ, AND IS PREPARED TO VETO ANY
UNWARRANTED CHANGE IN THE SANCTIONS OR INSPECTIONS PROGRAM:
///BERGER ACTUALITY///
THERE'S NOTHING HERE THAT'S SELF-EXECUTING IN TERMS OF A
RUSSIAN-IRAQ ARRANGEMENT OR A RUSSIAN-IRAQ
UNDERSTANDING. IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE SECURITY
COUNCIL. WE ARE A MEMBER OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. WE
HAVE A VETO ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL. AND WE WILL NOT
SUPPORT ANYTHING THAT VIOLATES OUR FUNDAMENTAL RED-LINES
(NON-NEGOTIABLE ISSUES) THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ALL
ALONG -- UNSCOM BEING PERMITTED TO DO ITS WORK AND TO DO
IT IN A PROFESSIONAL, UNFETTERED CAPACITY.
///END ACT///
MR. BERGER SAID THE UNITED STATES DOES STAND READY TO CONSIDER
MORE LIBERAL IRAQI OIL SALES UNDER THE U-N SUPERVISED PROGRAM
UNDER WHICH IT BUY FOOD AND MEDICINE. BUT HE SAID THIS WAS
ADMINISTRATION POLICY EVEN BEFORE THE LATEST INSPECTION CRISIS
BEGAN THREE WEEKS AGO -- AND THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT RAISED AT
THE GENEVA MEETING. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/TMD/MMK
20-Nov-97 12:54 PM EST (1754 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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