DATE= 11/3/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222105
TITLE=U-S/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS DISMISSING AS "BRAVADO" AN IRAQI
THREAT TO ATTACK U-S SPY PLANES OVERFLYING IRAQ AS PART OF THE
UNITED NATIONS INSPECTIONS MISSION. SADDAM HUSSEIN IS ATTEMPTING
TO EXCLUDE AMERICANS FROM THE INSPECTIONS REGIME. V-O-A'S DAVID
GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS OVERFLIGHTS BY AMERICAN U-2 SPY
PLANES HAVE BEEN PART OF THE U-N EFFORT TO FIND IRAQI WEAPONS OF
MASS DESRUCTION, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE AS DEEMED NECESSARY BY
THE UNITED NATIONS.
THE COMMENT FOLLOWED AN IRAQI THREAT AGAINST THE U-2 FLIGHTS,
CONTAINED IN A LETTER FROM IRAQ'S U-N AMBASSADOR TO THE
ORGANIZATION'S CHIEF U-N DISARMAMENT INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER.
THE IRAQI STATEMENT IS SEEN AS AN ESCALATION OF THE CRISIS
SPAWNED LAST WEEK BY IRAQ'S MOVE TO EXCLUDE AMERICANS FROM THE
INSPECTIONS, WHICH HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY IN IRAQ FOR SIX YEARS UNDER
TERMS OF POST-GULF WAR U-N RESOLUTIONS.
HOWEVER, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAID HE WAS UNAWARE
OF ANY CHANGE IN U-S OVERFLIGHTS AUTHORIZED BY THE U-N INCLUDING
ENFORCEMENT OF NO-FLY ZONES. AND HE SUGGESTED THE IRAQI THREAT IS
LITTLE MORE THAN BLUSTER:
///MCCURRY ACTUALITY///
THERE HAVE BEEN BRAVADO STATEMENTS FROM SADDAM HUSSEIN
FREQUENTLY. AND THEY'VE USUALLY BEEN MET WITH THE VERY
APPPROPRIATE RESPONSE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
TO WHIT: HIS BRAVADO IS USUALLY SHOWN TO BE QUITE
HOLLOW.
///END ACT///
MR. MCCURRY DECLINED COMMENT ON WHETHER U-S FORCES IN THE REGION
WERE BEING INCREASED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CRISIS. THE
ADMINISTRATION HAS REFUSED TO RULE OUT THE USE OF FORCE IF U-N
DIPLOMATS CANNOT PERSUADE IRAQ TO REVERSE ITS STAND ON THE
INSPECTORS. THAT POSITION HAS DRAWN STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN
THE U-S CONGRESS -- BACKING REAFFIRMED MONDAY BY SENATE
DEMOCRATIC LEADER TOM DASCHLE:
///DASCHLE ACTUALITY///
WE WILL USE WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY. I THINK THE
PREFERENCE IS, OBVIOUSLY TO WORK THROUGH THE UNITED
NATIONS. SHOULD THAT FAIL, I'D BE PREPARED TO SUPPORT
UNILATERAL ACTION. ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, SADDAM HUSSEIN
HAS TO UNDERSTAND WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE. AND THE SOONER
HE DOES IT, THE BETTER IT IS FOR HIM, HIS COUNTRY AND
HIS PEOPLE.
///END ACT//
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAID THEY SUPPORT U-N SECRETARY GENERAL
KOFI ANNAN'S DECISION TO SEND A DIPLOMATIC TEAM TO BAGHDAD. BUT
THEY STRESSED THE PURPOSE OF THE MISSION IS NOT TO NEGOTIATE, BUT
TO MAKE CLEAR TO THE IRAQI LEADER THAT HE MUST COMPLY WITH U-N
RESOLUTIONS.
IRAQ CONTENDS IT HAS ALREADY MET ITS OBLIGATIONS TO DISARM UNDER
THE POST-WAR RESOLUTIONS AND THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN
LEADING AN EFFORT TO UNFAIRLY PROLONG THE U-N SANCTIONS THAT HAVE
CRIPPLED ITS ECONOMY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PT
03-Nov-97 3:47 PM EST (2047 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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