DATE=3/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227728
TITLE=SENATE-IRAQ-BUDGET (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS ASKING CONGRESS FOR EXTRA
MONEY TO PAY FOR THE TROOP BUILDUP IN THE PERSIAN GULF, WHICH
STARTED WHEN IRAQ DEFIED U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS. V-O-A'S DAVID
SWAN REPORTS, LAWMAKERS ARE CRITICIZING BOTH THE PRESIDENT'S
POLICY AND THE LACK OF SUPPORT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.
TEXT: THE WHITE HOUSE IS SEEKING ONE-POINT-FOUR BILLION DOLLARS
TO COVER THE DEPLOYMENT OF SHIPS, PLANES AND GROUND FORCES. WHEN
THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE TOOK UP THE REQUEST (FRIDAY),
MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES WONDERED WHY THE NATION'S ALLIES ARE NOT
CHIPPING IN (CONTRIBUTING MONEY).
DEMOCRATIC SENATOR ROBERT BYRD SAYS HELP SHOULD BE COMING NOT
ONLY FROM OTHER GULF STATES BUT FROM ANY COUNTRY THREATENED BY
BAGHDAD'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
/// BYRD ACT ///
IT'S OUR MANPOWER, IN THE MAIN, THAT'S STATIONED THERE.
IT'S GOING TO BE SOON SWEATING IN THE HOT DESERT. HOW
ABOUT OUR TAXPAYERS? LET'S HAVE SOME RELIEF. LET'S ASK
THE OTHER COUNTRIES TO BELLY UP TO THE BAR (SEND MONEY).
/// END ACT ///
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN ARGUED THE MISSION DOES HAVE
POLITICAL, IF NOT FINANCIAL, SUPPORT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. HE
ALSO TRIED TO COUNTER CHARGES THE UNITED STATES IS BEING
MANIPULATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.
/// COHEN ACT ///
WE ARE NOT OPERATING UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE
UNITED NATIONS. WE HAVE BEEN ENFORCING U-N RESOLUTIONS
WHICH CALL FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN TO FULLY COMPLY WITH
INSPECTION REGIMES.
/// END ACT ///
DESPITE THEIR CRITICISMS, MEMBERS OF THE APPROPRIATIONS PANEL
SEEM INCLINED TO SUPPORT THE FUNDING REQUEST, ALONG WITH A
SMALLER AMOUNT FOR THE MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. BUT THE
CHAIRMAN, REPUBLICAN TED STEVENS, SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD
NOT HAVE TO ACT ALONE, ESPECIALLY IN THE GULF.
/// STEVENS ACT ///
IF OUR ALLIES EXPECT AND RELY UPON OUR MILITARY
PROTECTION THEY SHOULD BE FULL PARTNERS IN THE MISSION,
INCLUDING PARTNERS PROVIDING SOME OF THE NEEDED
RESOURCES FOR OUR ARMED FORCES FOR THE PERIOD OF THIS
EMERGENCY.
/// END ACT ///
IF APPROVED, THE FUNDS WOULD SUSTAIN THE TROOPS IN THE GULF AND
BOSNIA FOR THE REST OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, WHICH RUNS THROUGH
SEPTEMBER. LAWMAKERS SUGGEST THEY MAY TAKE A HARDER LOOK AT
THESE OPERATIONS BEFORE SPENDING MONEY FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
(SIGNED)
NEB/DS/WDC/KL
06-Mar-98 1:11 PM EST (1811 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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