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DATE=12/21/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-224403
TITLE=U-S/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON 
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND IRAQ 
ESCALATED A BIT SUNDAY WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ENVOY TO THE 
UNITED NATIONS WARNING TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR BAGHDAD TO COMPLY 
WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS REGARDING WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  MORE FROM 
CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE.
TEXT:  DESPITE ATTEMPTS AT DIPLOMATIC PERSUASION AND THE MORE 
BLUNT THREAT OF A U-S MILITARY STRIKE, IRAQ REMAINS UNWILLING TO 
ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS ACCESS TO PRESIDENTIAL SITES, SITES 
WHERE DANGEROUS CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS COULD BE STORED.
SPEAKING ON N-B-C TELEVISON'S "MEET THE PRESS" PROGRAM, U-S 
UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON SAID HE HOPES THIS WEEK
THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL TAKE A STRONG AND UNITED STAND AGAINST 
IRAQ'S CONTINUED DEFIANCE.
                      // RICHARDSON ACT //
         IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL 
         THIS COMING WEEK BACK OUR CONTINUED EFFORTS AS THEY HAVE
         FOUR TIMES UNANIMOUSLY IN RESOLUTIONS, TO GET SADDAM 
         HUSSEIN TO OPEN UP ALL SITES. 
                          // END ACT //
BUT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN MAKING SUCH COMMENTS FOR WEEKS.  
MEANWHILE, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED TO GET 
PRESIDENT SADDAM TO BUDGE ON THE ISSUE OF COMPLETE ACCESS TO ALL 
SITES WHERE INSPECTORS BELIEVE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION COULD 
BE STORED OR PRODUCED.
                   // SECOND RICHARDSON ACT //
         PATIENCE IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO RUN OUT AND I BELIEVE 
         THAT THERE WILL BE A UNITED, INTERNATIONAL EFFORT 
         THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS VERY SOON THAT WILL SEND 
         ANOTHER UNMISTAKABLE SIGNAL TO SADDAM HUSSEIN THAT HE 
         CAN'T CONTINUE THIS SNUBBING OF THE INTERNATIONAL 
         COMMUNITY. 
                          // END ACT //
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN REAFFIRMED SUNDAY A MILITARY 
OPTION HAS NOT BEEN RULED OUT IF IRAQ CONTINUES TO RESTRICT U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS, WHO HE EXPECTS WILL INTENSIFY THEIR SEARCH IN
THE COMING WEEKS.  
AMONG AMERICA'S ALLIES, ONLY BRITAIN HAS BEEN WILLING TO SUPPORT 
A MILITARY OPTION.  THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION RE-AFFIRMED SUNDAY
EXISTING U-N RESOLUTIONS GIVE IT THE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT A 
UNILATERAL MILITARY STRIKE IF OTHER NATIONS REFUSE TO GO ALONG.  
(SIGNED) 
NEB/NJS/RAE
21-Dec-97 12:14 PM EST (1714 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.