DATE=2/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227064
TITLE=IRAQ AMERICANS (S)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS ALLOWING U-S GOVERNMENT DEPENDENTS
AND NON ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL TO LEAVE ISRAEL,THE PALESTINIAN
AUTHORITY AND KUWAIT AS A PRECAUTION BECAUSE OF TENSION WITH
IRAQ. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THE STATE
DEPARTMENT DOES NOT PERCEIVE A THREAT.
TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IS AUTHORIZING A
VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE OF OFFICIAL AMERICANS FROM AREAS THAT COULD
BE IN THE RANGE OF IRAQI MISSILES. HOWEVER, STATE DEPARTMENT
SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE SECRETARY OF STATE TOOK THE ACTION
BECAUSE OF INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS NOT BECAUSE HOSTILITIES ARE
IMMINENT.
/// RUBIN ACT ///
IT IS NOT BASED ON ANY INTELLIGENCE OF AN IMMINENT
THREAT AGAINST KUWAIT OR ISRAEL OR AMERICANS IN KUWAIT,
ISRAEL OR AREAS CONTROLLED BY THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.
HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE ADVISES AMERICANS TO
CONSIDER CAREFULLY ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION BEFORE
UNDERTAKING NON ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO KUWAIT,ISRAEL AND
THE WEST BANK AND GAZA.
/// END ACT ///
UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE THOMAS PICKERING MET WITH A GROUP OF ARAB
AMERICANS WHO URGED THE UNITED STATES TO PURSUE A DIPLOMATIC
SOLUTION WITH IRAQ INSTEAD OF USING MILITARY FORCE. THE GROUP
SAYS IT IS FRUSTRATED BY THE THREATS OF FORCE BUT HOPEFUL THE
UNITED STATES WILL ACCEPT ANY AGREEMENT WORKED OUT IN BAGHDAD BY
THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
20-Feb-98 3:50 PM EST (2050 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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