DATE=8/5/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236586
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING A LOW-KEY RESPONSE
TO IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE IS
FREEZING COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS. V-O-A'S DAVID
GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: OFFICIALS HERE SAY THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO PETULANCE AND
BLUSTER BY SADDAM HUSSEIN, AND THEY WILL AWAIT A REPORT TO THE
SECURITY COUNCIL BY CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER BEFORE
CONSIDERING ANY RESPONSE TO THE LATEST MOVE BY BAGHDAD.
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN P-J CROWLEY SAID THE UNITED STATES WILL
WATCH IRAQI ACTIONS, NOT WORDS. HE CAST THE ANNOUNCEMENT AS PART
OF A LONG-RUNNING EFFORT BY THE IRAQI LEADER TO ESCAPE THE
SANCTIONS IN PLACE FOR EIGHT YEARS BECAUSE OF HIS REFUSAL TO GIVE
UP WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION:
///CROWLEY ACTUALITY///
THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF A GAME OF CAT-AND-MOUSE THAT
SADDAM HAS PLAYED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, WE'RE NOT
WILLING TO PLAY THIS GAME. WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE
PRESSURE ON SADDAM. AT THE END OF THE DAY, HE KNOWS WHAT
HE NEEDS TO DO TO GET SANCTIONS RELIEF: THAT IS TO FULLY
COMPLY WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE
UNITED NATIONS, TO FULLY COMPLY WITH ALL RELEVANT
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. THE WAY FORWARD IS CLEAR
FOR HIM.
///END ACTUALITY///
SPOKESMAN CROWLEY SAID IT WAS PREMATURE TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE
MILITARY RESPONSE ALONG THE LINES OF THE GULF BUILDUP THAT
FOLLOWED IRAQ'S EXPULSION OF U-N INSPECTORS EARLIER THIS YEAR.
HE DOWN-PLAYED THE NOTION SADDAM HUSSEIN MAY HAVE ACTED TO TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE SEX SCANDAL. BUT HE ALSO SAID
PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BEEN EXTREMELY ACTIVE IN FOREIGN POLICY
DESPITE HIS DIFFICULTIES, AND IS READY TO DO "WHATEVER IS
REQUIRED" IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENT SITUATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JO
05-Aug-98 4:04 PM EDT (2004 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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