DATE=2/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226693
TITLE=SENATE-IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS HAVE FAILED TO COME TO TERMS ON
A BIPARTISAN STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S POLICY
TOWARD IRAQ, IN THE STANDOFF OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. THIS
MEANS THE NON-BINDING BUT SYMBOLICALLY IMPORTANT MEASURE WILL NOT
BE TAKEN UP BEFORE NEXT WEEK'S (HOLIDAY) RECESS -- AND PERHAPS
NOT BEFORE THE UNITED STATES LAUNCHES A MILITARY STRIKE. V-O-A'S
DAVID SWAN REPORTS.
TEXT: INSTEAD OF FORMALLY BACKING MR. CLINTON AND URGING HIM TO
RESPOND TO THE IRAQI THREAT, CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS SETTLED FOR
ANOTHER ROUND OF SPEECHES DENOUNCING PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.
HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH WARNS AMERICANS WILL SUPPORT THE USE
OF FORCE IF NECESSARY.
// GINGRICH ACT //
I URGE SADDAM HUSSEIN TO SAVE THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ FROM
VIOLENCE. I URGE HIM TO TAKE A STEP TOWARD ULTIMATELY
SOMEDAY LIFTING THE (U-N) SANCTIONS (ON IRAQ). I URGE
HIM TO COMPLY WITH UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTIONS.
// END ACT //
WHILE THEY AGREE ON WHAT PRESIDENT SADDAM MUST DO, LAWMAKERS ARE
FAR FROM UNITED ON WHAT MR. CLINTON MAY BE PLANNING TO DO. A
GROWING NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS QUESTION HIS STRATEGY, SAYING U-S
AIR STRIKES WOULD LEAVE BOTH THE IRAQI LEADER AND HIS WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION IN PLACE.
THESE CONCERNS HAVE KEPT THE CONGRESS FROM ACTING ON A RESOLUTION
OF SUPPORT FOR MR. CLINTON, EVEN THOUGH THE SENATE WAS EXPECTED
TO PASS THE MEASURE EASILY TWO WEEKS AGO. MINORITY (DEMOCRATIC)
LEADER TOM DASCHLE SOUGHT TO DOWNPLAY THE DISPUTES.
// DASCHLE ACT //
PERHAPS TOO MUCH HAS BEEN MADE OF THE DIFFERENCES AMONG
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ABOUT HOW TO APPROACH THIS PROBLEM
AND THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE. THERE ARE ALWAYS WAYS OF
WHICH TO CHANGE THE WORDING (OF THE RESOLUTION). BUT
THERE IS NO WAY WITH WHICH TO CHANGE THE MESSAGE. THE
MESSAGE IS FUNDAMENTAL AND UNEQUIVOCAL. IT IS CLEAR.
// END ACT //
BUT LAWMAKERS HAVE ALSO VOICED FRUSTRATIONS WITH U-S ALLIES WHO
REFUSE TO GO ALONG IN BACKING A MILITARY STRIKE. REPUBLICAN
SENATOR SAM BROWNBACK RESPONDED ANGRILY TO A REPORT THAT RUSSIA
SOLD IRAQ EQUIPMENT THAT COULD BE USED TO MAKE BIOLOGICAL
WEAPONS.
// BROWNBACK ACT //
AND THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND ITS PREPOSTEROUS THAT THEY
WOULD BE DOING IT. TRANSFER TO IRAQ, WHICH IS A ROGUE
NATION, WITH A LEADER WHO DOES NOT OPERATE UNDER
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CIVILIZED CODES.
// END ACT //
MR. BROWNBACK WANTS THE SENATE TO SPEED UP ACTION ON A BILL THAT
WOULD IMPOSE NEW SANCTIONS ON MOSCOW. AND DESPITE THE CURRENT
DIVISIONS, THE RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR MR. CLINTON MAY ALSO
COME UP LATER THIS MONTH OR EARLY NEXT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/ENE/PT
12-Feb-98 6:54 PM EST (2354 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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