DATE=2/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226610
TITLE=CLINTON/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS AGAIN DECLARED THAT IRAQI LEADER
SADDAM HUSSEIN IS THE ONE WHO WILL DECIDE WHETHER THE CRISIS OVER
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS CAN BE RESOLVED PEACEFULLY. THE
ADMINISTRATION MEANWHILE HAS DISMISSED AS UNACCEPTABLE BAGHDAD'S
LATEST OFFER ON INSPECTING SO-CALLED PRESIDENTIAL SITES IN IRAQ.
V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: MR. CLINTON USED A STATE DEPARTMENT CEREMONY ON THE
EXPANSION OF NATO TO REITERATE HIS HOPE THAT THE USE OF FORCE CAN
BE AVOIDED IN THE GULF. BUT HE SAID THE QUESTION OF A DIPLOMATIC
SOLUTION RESTS WITH IRAQ'S PRESIDENT, AND WHETHER HE WILL ALLOW
U-N INSPECTORS TO RESUME THEIR WORK:
///CLINTON ACTUALITY///
WE ALL HOPE WE CAN AVOID THE USE OF FORCE. BUT LET'S
FACE IT. IN THE END THAT IS UP TO SADDAM HUSSEIN. HE
MUST LET THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS BACK WITH FULL AND FREE
ACCESS TO ALL SUSPECT SITES. IF HE WILL NOT ACT, WE MUST
BE PREPARED TO DO SO.
///END ACT///
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS MEANWHILE BRUSHED ASIDE IRAQ'S LATEST
OFFER TO OPEN SOME OF THE SO-CALLED PRESIDENTIAL SITES SUSPECTED
OF CONCEALING WEAPONS EVIDENCE.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ SAID HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD BE
WILLING TO ALLOW EXPERTS NAMED BY U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI
ANNAN TO VISIT EIGHT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACES AND CONDUCT
WHATEVER TESTS ARE DEEMED APPROPRIATE. BUT HE SAID THOSE SITES
SHOULD REMAIN OFF LIMITS TO INSPECTORS OF THE U-N COMMISSION,
UNSCOM, WHICH HE TERMED AN ADVERSARY.
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY CALLED THE REMARKS OF MR. AZIZ
UNHELPFUL AND ACCUSED HIM OF TRYING TO POLITICIZE AND CIRCUMVENT
THE TECHNICAL WORK OF UNSCOM:
///MCCURRY ACTUALITY///
A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HE SAID ARE VERY CLEARLY OUT OF
LINE WITH THE MANDATES IRAQ FACES FROM THE UNITED
NATIONS. HE'S THERE ATTEMPTING TO PRECLUDE UNSCOM FROM
CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS. THEY'RE TRYING TO PLACE LIMITS
ON THE DURATION OF INSPECTIONS. AND THEY DON'T COMMIT
THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ TO ANY PERMANENT ACCESS TO
MONITORING SO WE CAN ASSURE THE WORLD THAT SADDAM
HUSSEIN IS NOT ATTEMPTING TO RECONSTITUTE THE PROGRAMS
THAT HE'S HAD UNDERWAY IN THE PAST. SO THIS IS CLEARLY
AN UNACCEPTABLE PROPOSAL.
///END ACT///
MR. MCCURRY SAID DIPLOMACY IS MAKING LITTLE HEADWAY, BUT THE
ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT SET A TIME-LIMIT ON POLITICAL EFFORTS TO
DEFUSE THE CRISIS. HE SAID THE COMMENT BY THE U-S COMMANDER IN
THE MIDDLE EAST GENERAL ANTHONY ZINNI THAT AMERICAN-LED FORCES IN
THE GULF WILL BE READY FOR ACTION IN A WEEK IS NOT A DEADLINE --
BUT A SIMPLE OBSERVATION OF WHAT THE FORCE POSTURE IS IN THE
REGION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/WDC/PT
11-Feb-98 3:36 PM EST (2036 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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