DATE=2/22/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227128
TITLE=IRAQ WRAP SUNDAY (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS REPORTED TO BE CLOSE
TO REACHING AN AGREEMENT WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN THAT
WOULD END THE STAND-OFF OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. BUT THE BIG
QUESTION IN WASHINGTON IS WHETHER AN AGREEMENT WILL BE ENOUGH TO
SATISFY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, WHICH IS THREATENING TO
ATTACK IRAQ IF THE ANNAN MISSION FAILS. CORRESPONDENT NICK
SIMEONE TELLS US WHERE THINGS STAND.
TEXT: WHATEVER ENTHUSIASM THERE WAS IN BAGHDAD ABOUT PROGRESS IN
THESE TALKS, IT WAS TEMPERED BY CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS
AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, WHO WERE WATCHING EVENTS UNFOLD WITH
VARIOUS DEGREES OF SKEPTICISM.
ON THE SUNDAY TELEVISION INTERVIEW SHOWS, THE ADMINISTRATION'S
TOP FOREIGN POLICY OFFICIALS -- INCLUDING SECRETARY OF STATE
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT -- WARNED NOT ONLY KOFI ANNAN, BUT THE UNITED
STATES MUST BE SATISFIED WITH THE AGREEMENT IN ORDER TO AVOID A
U-S ATTACK AGAINST IRAQ. MS. ALBRIGHT SPOKE ON A-B-C'S "THIS
WEEK".
// ALBRIGHT ACT //
WE HAVE OUR OWN NATIONAL INTERESTS AND WE WILL PURSUE
THAT. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HE (ANNAN) WILL COME WITH
SOMETHING WE DO NOT LIKE, IN WHICH CASE WE WILL PURSUE
OR NATIONAL INTERESTS.
// END ACT //
IN THE CLEAREST SIGN YET THE WHITE HOUSE IS DUBIOUS ABOUT WHAT
THE ANNAN MISSION CAN ACHIEVE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SAMUEL
BERGER SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NO PLANS TO SCALE BACK ITS
LARGE MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE GULF, REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF
THE SECRETARY GENERAL'S TRIP.
BUT IT MAY BE TOUGH FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO REJECT A DEAL WITH
IRAQ, EVEN ONE THAT FALLS SHORT OF ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S
REQUIREMENTS REGARDING FULL INSPECTIONS OF IRAQ'S SUSPECTED
WEAPONS SITES. THAT IS BECAUSE APART FROM BRITAIN, THE UNITED
STATES REMAINS ALONE AMONG PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY
COUNCIL IN FAVORING A MILITARY OPTION IF DIPLOMACY FAILS. SO THE
WHITE HOUSE IS LIKELY TO COME UNDER PRESSURE TO TAKE ANY DEAL IT
CAN. THAT WORRIES KEY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, INCLUDING REPUBLICAN
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN, WHO SPOKE ON A-B-C'S "THIS WEEK".
// MCCAIN ACT //
REALITY IS THAT IF THE SECRETARY GENERAL COMES BACK AND
SAYS THIS IS A GOOD AGREEMENT AND ONE THAT WE CAN LIVE
WITH -- AND IT IS NOT ONE THAT WE (THE UNITED STATES)
CAN LIVE WITH, IT MAKES IT MUCH, MUCH MORE DIFFICULT
TO SAY THE LEAST, THAT IS OBVIOUS.
// END ACT //
SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN IS EXPECTED TO BRIEF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
ON HIS TALKS IN BAGHDAD WHEN HE RETURNS TO NEW YORK EARLY THIS
WEEK. THEN, THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO
DECLARE HIS MISSION A SUCCESS OR PREPARE FOR A MILITARY ATTACK --
SOMETHING U-S OFFICIALS HAVE SAID COULD INCLUDE INTENSE, ROUND
THE CLOCK BOMBING OF KEY IRAQI TARGETS. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/RAE
22-Feb-98 1:23 PM EST (1823 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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