DATE=1/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225290
TITLE=CLINTON/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WELCOMED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL
STATEMENT CONDEMNING IRAQ. BUT THE ADMINISTRATION IS WARNING
THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT ON DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO PROD SADDAM
HUSSEIN INTO ALLOWING UNIMPEDED WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. V-O-A'S
DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: MR. CLINTON SAYS HE IS VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE UNANIMOUS
SECURITY COUNCIL ACTION. AND HE SAYS THE ALLEGATIONS IRAQ MAY
HAVE USED PRISONERS IN CHEMICAL WEAPONS TESTS MAKE IT ALL THE
MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE WORLD COMMUNITY TO PRESS FOR UNIMPEDED
INSPECTIONS.
RESPONDING TO REPORTERS' QUESTIONS AT A WHITE HOUSE HEALTH CARE
EVENT, MR. CLINTON SAID THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE IS WHETHER IRAQ CAN
DICTATE WHO WILL TAKE PART IN THE INSPECTIONS: :
///CLINTON ACTUALITY///
IT IS CLEAR THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY KNOWS
SADDAM HUSSEIN IS DOING THE WRONG THING. AND WE HAVE GOT
TO REMAIN STEADFAST IN OUR DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE THE
INSPECTIONS PROCESS IN A NON-POLITICAL WAY, WHERE THE
LEADER OF IRAQ DOES NOT GET TO DETERMINE WHO, WHEN AND
WHAT IS GOING ON IN THAT INSPECTION PROCESS.
///END ACT///
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THE UNITED STATES HAS NO INDEPENDENT
EVIDENCE OF IRAQI USE OF PRISONERS AS HUMAN GUINEA PIGS IN
WEAPONS EXPERIMENTS. BUT MR. CLINTON SAID THE CONCERNS ABOUT IT
RAISED BY CHIEF INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER ARE "CLEARLY" WHAT
JUSTIFIES THE U-N INSPECTION REGIME:
///CLINTON ACT TWO///
WE DON'T WANT TO CONVICT THEM IN ADVANCE. BUT IF THERE
IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE FOR MR. BUTLER TO SAY THAT, THEN HE
OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO GO LOOK. I WOULD REMIND YOU THAT IN
1995 THEY ADMITTED HAVING STOCK OF CHEMICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS POTENTIAL THAT WERE VERY TROUBLING
THEY THEY ADMITTED. SO THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WE'VE GOT
TO KEEP GOING AND CONTINUE THESE INSPECTIONS.
///END ACT///
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAID EARLIER THE UNITED STATES
IS INCREASINGLY EXHAUSTING DIPLOMATIC OPTIONS IN THE STANDOFF
WITH IRAQ, AND THAT THE ON-AND-OFF CRISES OVER INSPECTIONS CANNOT
BE WHAT HE CALLED "AN ENDLESS LOOP." HE SUGGESTED THE OUTCOME
COULD HINGE ON MR. BUTLER'S TALKS WITH IRAQI LEADERS IN BAGHDAD
EARLY NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/WDC/PT
14-Jan-98 5:12 PM EST (2212 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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