DATE=3/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228121
TITLE=SENATE-IRAQ (L-UPDATE)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S SENATE HAS PASSED A LARGELY SYMBOLIC RESOLUTION
THAT LABELS IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN A WAR CRIMINAL AND
SAYS HE SHOULD BE TRIED AS ONE. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM
CAPITOL HILL.
TEXT: WHILE THE MEASURE HAS NO FORCE OF LAW, IT SIGNALS THE
SENATE'S FRUSTRATION OVER IRAQ - AND BRINGS NEW PRESSURE ON
PRESIDENT CLINTON TO ACT AGAINST PRESIDENT SADDAM. ITS SUPPORTERS
SAY THERE IS AMPLE REASON TO CALL THE IRAQI LEADER A WAR
CRIMINAL, INCLUDING HIS ATTACKS ON THE KURDS AND TREATMENT OF
KUWAITI CIVILIANS IN THE GULF CONFLICT.
THE RESOLUTION CALLS FOR MR. CLINTON TO WORK THROUGH THE UNITED
NATIONS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL TO INDICT AND PROSECUTE
PRESIDENT SADDAM. ITS SPONSOR, REPUBLICAN ARLEN SPECTER,CONCEDES
IT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE AN INVADING ARMY TO ACTUALLY BRING HIM
BEFORE THE JUDGES.
// SPECTER ACT //
AND THE QUESTION OF WHAT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST
SADDAM HUSSEIN ULTIMATELY IS AN OPEN QUESTION. BUT WITH
AN INDICTMENT BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND A TRIAL,
EVEN IN ABSENTIA, IT WOULD BE THE HIGH MORAL GROUND FOR
THE UNITED STATES ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
// END ACT //
THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE WORLD COMMUNITY IS NOT INCLINED TO
ACT. HOWEVER, SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN VOICED SUPPORT FOR THE
NOTION OF DOCUMENTING IRAQ'S OFFENSES, IN HOPES OF EVENTUALLY
PERSUADING THE UNITED NATIONS TO MOVE FORWARD.
// RUBIN ACT //
WHILE THERE NOW APPEARS TO BE LITTLE SUPPORT IN THE
SECURITY COUNCIL FOR SUCH A TRIBUNAL IT IS POSSIBLE THAT
AN EFFECTIVE,VIGOROUS FACT-FINDING PROCESS MIGHT WELL
IMPROVE THE CHANCES OF SUPPORT IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL.
SO WE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS IDEA.
// END ACT //
MEANWHILE, CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE PUTTING FORTH THEIR OWN
IDEA - A 38-MILLION DOLLAR PACKAGE OF PROGRAMS TO HELP IRAQI
OPPOSITION FORCES AND STEP UP PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT. SENATE
MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT CALLS THIS AN ATTEMPT TO DEVELOP
ALONG-TERM STRATEGY, WHICH REPUBLICANS SAY THE WHITE HOUSE HAS
NOT DONE.
// LOTT ACT //
WE'RE BEGINNING TO PAY A LOT MORE ATTENTION TO NOT JUST
THE (U-NWEAPONS) INSPECTIONS TODAY OR THE THREAT OF
MILITARY ACTION TOMORROW BUT WHAT IS THE END GAME? HOW
DO YOU END THIS REPEATED,YOU KNOW, HORROR THAT WE HAVE
TO DEAL WITH IN IRAQ?
// END ACT //
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE REPUBLICAN PLAN WOULD AID DISSIDENT
GROUPS AND FUND A BROADCASTING CAMPAIGN AIMED AT IRAQ. THE HOUSE
AND SENATE MAY TAKE UP THE MEASURE NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
13-Mar-98 3:35 PM EST (2035 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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