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10 February 1998

TEXT: SECRETARY COHEN'S 2/10 DEPARTURE STATEMENT FROM OMAN

(Notes importance of US, Oman friendship in Iraq crisis) (560)
Muscat, Sultanate of Oman -- "We are determined both to thwart Iraq's
ability to produce or deploy weapons of mass destruction and to
contain its ability to threaten its neighbors, including all the GCC
states," Secretary of Defense William Cohen said February 10 as he
departed Oman.
"Though my Government prefers a diplomatic solution to the current
crisis, we cannot rule out any options given the seriousness of this
issue," he asserted. "That said," he added, "the U.S. remains
committed to Iraq's territorial integrity and to ensuring that Iraq
can one day resume its rightful role as a responsible member of the
international community."
Cohen noted the long partnership between the United States and the
Sultanate, and expressed confidence that "our ongoing consultations
will serve only to strengthen that relationship."
"As we attempt to resolve the current crisis in the region and achieve
an era of concord for all, Oman's counsel has once again demonstrated
to me the importance of our nations' friendship," he said.
Following is the text of the Secretary's departure statement, provided
by USIS in Muscat:
(For more information, check the special USIA Iraq website at:
http://www.usia.gov/regional/nea/gulfsec/iraqpage.htm)
(Begin text)
Time after time, the long partnership between the United States and
the Sultanate has proven its value to our two countries and the
broader interests of peace, security and stability in this part of the
world. I am confident that our ongoing consultations will serve only
to strengthen that relationship.
My second visit to Oman has come at a time when Saddam Hussein is
putting the will of the international community to a severe test.
President Clinton, Secretary Albright and I have warned Saddam at
every opportunity that he must comply fully with all U.N. Security
Council resolutions and offer UNSCOM teams free and unfettered access
to all sites they seek to inspect. We are determined both to thwart
Iraq's ability to produce or deploy weapons of mass destruction and to
contain its ability to threaten its neighbors, including all the GCC
states. Though my Government prefers a diplomatic solution to the
current crisis, we cannot rule out any options given the seriousness
of this issue. That said, the U.S. remains committed to Iraq's
territorial integrity and to ensuring that Iraq can one day resume its
rightful role as a responsible member of the international community.
We are also deeply concerned about the welfare of the Iraqi people,
for whose suffering Saddam and his regime bear full responsibility. As
co-authors of Security Council Resolution 986, Washington and Muscat
have long been on record in support of providing humanitarian
assistance to Iraq's population. The Clinton Administration is ready
to work with our fellow Security Council members to expand the
oil-for-food program and improve its implementation. We call on the
Iraqi government to be equally responsive to its people's needs.
Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction stand against
humankind's age-old desire for peace. As we attempt to resolve the
current crisis in the region and achieve an era of concord for all,
Oman's counsel has once again demonstrated to me the importance of our
nations' friendship.
(End text)