DATE=2/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226954
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE LOW
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE MISSION TO BAGHDAD BY U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL
KOFI ANNAN. AND THEY SAY THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT NECESSARILY
ACCEPT ANY DEAL THE U-N CHIEF MIGHT MAKE ON THE INSPECTIONS
CRISIS. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: THE UNITED STATES WAS LATE IN ENDORSING THE ANNAN MISSION,
ARGUING THERE IS LITTLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH IRAQ ABOUT IN THE FACE
OF ITS DEFIANCE OF THE U-N INSPECTIONS. BUT THE ADMINISTRATION
DECIDED TO JOIN IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENT OF THE TRIP
AFTER A TELEPHONE TALK BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND MR. ANNAN
TUESDAY ON THE NEGOTIATING LEEWAY IN THE U-N CHIEF WILL HAVE.
OFFICIALS HERE SAY THEY DOUBT MR. ANNAN WILL BE ABLE TO SECURE
THE KIND OF MAJOR CONCESSIONS FROM BAGHDAD THAT COULD HEAD OFF A
U-S-LED MILITARY STRIKE. AND AT THE UNITED NATIONS, U-S
AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON MADE CLEAR THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT
NECESSARILY BE BOUND BY ANY DEAL THAT MIGHT BE STRUCK IN THE
IRAQI CAPITAL:
///RICHARDSON ACTUALITY///
THE UNITED STATES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO OPPOSE ANY
ARRANGEMENT THAT DOES NOT PROTECT SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS, AND WHAT WE PERCEIVE AS AMERICA'S NATIONAL
INTERESTS. ANY NATION-STATE CAN MAKE THAT STATEMENT. WE
ARE FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. BUT AT
THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS ARE OBSERVED, THAT THERE BE NO DEALS THAT
IRAQ WILL TRY TO UNDOUBTEDLY PROPOSE.
///END ACT///
HERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE, SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY REFUSED TO
DISMISS OUT OF HAND COMPROMISE PROPOSALS BEING CIRCULATED AT U-N
UNDER WHICH FOREIGN DIPLOMATS MIGHT ACCOMPANY U-N INSPECTORS ON
THEIR ROUNDS. AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT MUST
UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY OF THE U-N COMMISSION UNSCOM AND GIVE
INSPECTORS THE RIGHT TO VISIT ANY LOCATION THEY SEE FIT --
INCLUDING THE MANY DOZENS OF SITES THE IRAQIS HAVE DESIGNATED AS
SENSITIVE OR PRESIDENTIAL AND OFF-LIMITS TO THE U-N. PROSPECTS
FOR THAT KIND OF A BREAKTHROUGH, HE SUGGESTED, ARE DIM:
///MCCURRY ACTUALITY///
THERE'S BEEN NO INDICATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ
THAT WOULD LEND ANYONE TO BE OPTIMISTIC. THERE HAVE
BEEN ONLY OBSTINANCY, CONCEALMENT, DELIBERATE LIES ABOUT
PAST PRACTICES. NO INDICATION OF A WILLINGNESS TO DO THE
NECESSARY-- WHICH IS TO LIVE UP TO THEIR INTERNATIONAL
OBLIGATIONS.
///END ACT///
MR. MCCURRY SAID IF THE SECRETARY GENERAL RETURNS EMPTY-HANDED
FROM BAGHDAD IT WOULD BE "A VERY GRAVE MATTER" THOUGH HE DECLINED
TO DEPICT THE ANNAN MISSION AS THE ABSOLUTE END TO THE DIPLOMATIC
PROCESS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/KL
18-Feb-98 1:52 PM EST (1852 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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