DATE=2/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227196
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ ONITER (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN FORMALLY BRIEFS THE
SECURITY COUNCIL LATER TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE AGREEMENT HE
REACHED WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS AIMED AT ENDING THE STANDOFF OVER
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. THE UNITED STATES WILL BE SEEKING
CLARIFICATION OF SOME PROVISIONS, AS WE HEAR IN THIS REPORT FROM
V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE.
TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON -- WHO GAVE TENTATIVE SUPPORT TO THE
AGREEMENT MONDAY -- WANTS CLARIFICATION OF SOME ASPECTS OF THE
ACCORD.
// CLINTON ACTUALITY //
THERE ARE DETAILS IN THIS AGREEMENT THAT STILL HAVE TO
BE FLUSHED OUT, AND THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN IT WHICH
REQUIRE GREATER CLARITY, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE
THINGS RESOLVED TO OUR SATISFACTION IN ORDER TO GO
FORWARD. MY INSTINCT IS, TALKING TO THE SECRETARY
GENERAL AND TALKING TO OUR PARTNERS, THAT WE CAN RESOLVE
THOSE THINGS TO OUR SATISFACTION. I'M HOPING WE CAN,
BUT I AM NOT PREJUDGING IT.
// END ACT //
MR. CLINTON DID NOT ELABORATE, BUT HIS SPOKESMAN, MIKE MCCURRY,
CITED ONE AREA WHERE THE PRESIDENT WOULD LIKE CLARIFICATION -- A
PROVISION THAT WOULD ALLOW SENIOR DIPLOMATS APPOINTED BY THE
SECRETARY GENERAL TO ACCOMPANY U-N INSPECTORS TO SUSPECTED
WEAPONS SITES.
ALTHOUGH THE AGREEMENT AVERTS U-S MILITARY ACTION FOR NOW, THE
PRESIDENT MADE CLEAR THE UNITED STATES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO USE
FORCE IF BAGHDAD FAILS TO MAKE GOOD ON ITS COMMITMENTS.
// CLINTON ACTUALITY //
I INTEND TO KEEP OUR FORCES AT HIGH LEVELS OF
PREPARATION IN THE GULF IN THE NEAR TERM TO SEE WHAT
HAPPENS IN TERMS OF HONORING THESE OBLIGATIONS.
// END ACT //
WHAT MATTERS NOW, MR. CLINTON SAID, IS NOT WHAT IRAQ SAYS, BUT
WHAT IT DOES. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/ENE/PT
23-Feb-98 7:56 PM EST (0056 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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