DATE=3/2/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227478
TITLE=ALBRIGHT IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IS PLANNING A TRIP
THIS WEEK TO EUROPE AND CANADA TO CONSULT AMERICAN ALLIES ABOUT
HOW TO DEAL WITH IRAQ IF THE CURRENT AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED
NATIONS IS VIOLATED. AS VOA'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE
STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO ACT REGARDLESS OF
THE WORDING OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION.
TEXT: THE UNITED STATES WANTED THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY
COUNCIL TO WARN IRAQ OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF BAGHDAD FAILS TO
CARRY OUT THE AGREEMENT WITH THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL ABOUT
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.
HOWEVER, THE AMERICAN POSITION IS THAT A STRONGLY WORDED
RESOLUTION IS GOOD BUT THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT HAVE TO RETURN
TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL FOR PERMISSION TO USE MILITARY FORCE
AGAINST IRAQ IF IT RENEGES ON THE AGREEMENT.
FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WRITE A RESOLUTION
THAT DOES NOT MAKE A MILITARY STRIKE AUTOMATIC. STATE DEPARTMENT
SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS A WEAKLY WRITTEN RESOLUTION SHOULD NOT
MISREAD IN BAGHDAD OR ANYWHERE ELSE.
///RUBIN ACT///
WHAT WE CARE ABOUT IS THAT THE RESOLUTION IS A STRONG
SIGNAL TO IRAQ THAT IF IT DOES VIOLATE THIS AGREEMENT,
IF IT RENEGES ON AN AGREEMENT MADE BEFORE THE WHOLE
WORLD, THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD
BE. WE HAVE MADE CLEAR WHAT THOSE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE
AND WE HAVE ALSO MADE CLEAR THAT WE DON'T SEE THE NEED
TO RETURN TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND WE ALSO HAVE VERY
CLEAR ASSURANCES FROM KEY GOVERNMENTS THAT THEY WOULD
UNDERSTAND AND WOULD BE MORE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT POSITION
IF IT COMES TO THAT.
///END ACT///
IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT ABOUT HOW THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO REACT
TO ANY IRAQI VIOLATIONS, SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT
PLANS TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHEN SHE MEETS KEY AMERICAN ALLIES ON A
TRIP THAT BEGINS THURSDAY. SHE FLIES FIRST TO KIEV TO MEET
PRESIDENT LEONID KUCHMA ON A VISIT THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS WILL
FOCUS ON NON PROLIFERATION CONCERNS AND THE BUSINESS AND
INVESTMENT CLIMATE IN UKRAINE.
ON THE SAME DAY SHE FLIES TO ROME TO MEET ITALIAN LEADERS AND
POPE JOHN PAUL FOR CONSULTATIONS ABOUT IRAQ. IRAN, THE BALKANS
AND THE MIDDLE EAST ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO COME UP WITH THE
ITALIANS, WHILE THE POPE'S RECENT VISIT TO CUBA IS A FOCUS OF HER
VISIT TO THE VATICAN.
NEXT WEEKEND, SHE WILL MEET HER COLLEAGUES IN COLOGNE, PARIS AND
LONDON FOR MORE CONSULTATIONS ON THE IRAQ SCENARIO. SHE ENDS HER
TRIP WITH A LONG PLANNED VISIT TO CANADA.
THE ADMINISTRATION POSITION IS BEING DRIVEN BY A SKEPTICAL
REACTION IN THE U-S CONGRESS TO THE AGREEMENT U-N SECRETARY
GENERAL KOFI ANNAN MADE IN IRAQ. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT
LOTT SAYS STRONGER ACTION IS NEEDED.
///LOTT ACT///
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE ARE NOT ANY GOOD OR EASY
CHOICES WHEN IT COMES TO IRAQ. I JUST FEAR THAT WHAT HAS
HAPPENED IS THAT MAYBE WE HAVE CHOSEN NOT THE BEST OF
THOSE CHOICES. I AM STILL CONCERNED THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T SEEM TO BE FOCUSED AS THEY SHOULD
BE ON THE LONG-TERM PLANNING.
///END ACT///
AS LONG AS SADDAM HUSSEIN IS IN POWER, SENATOR LOTT SAYS, HE WILL
BE A CONTINUING PROBLEM FOR THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/WDC/WFR
02-Mar-98 4:31 PM EST (2131 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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