DATE=8/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237103
TITLE=ALBRIGHT / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS SHE DOES NOT
GIVE ORDERS TO UNITED NATIONS INSPECTORS LOOKING FOR IRAQI
WEAPONS. SHE WAS RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT A REPORT IN THE
WASHINGTON POST NEWSPAPER THAT SAID SHE HAD URGED CHIEF INSPECTOR
RICHARD BUTLER TO CALL OFF A SURPRISE INSPECTION OF A SUSPECTED
WEAPONS SITE. LAST WEEK, BAGHDAD ENDED ITS COOPERATION WITH THE
U-N INSPECTORS. AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER
REPORTS MS. ALBRIGHT REPEATED A DEMAND THAT IRAQ COOPERATE WITH
THE INSPECTIONS.
TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMISSION ON IRAQ--UNSCOM--HAD
EARLIER ISSUED A STATEMENT DENYING ALLEGATIONS THAT MR. BUTLER
HAD BEEN GIVEN AND HAD ACCEPTED DIRECTIONS ON INSPECTION
OPERATIONS.
AT A MEETING WITH REPORTERS BEFORE A LUNCHEON WITH VISITING
JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER MASAHIKO KOMURA, SECRETARY ALBRIGHT
ADDED HER RESPONSE TO THE WASHINGTON POST REPORT.
SHE SAID AMERICAN POLICY HAS NOT CHANGED: IRAQ MUST COMPLY WITH
THE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS OR FACE CONTINUED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///
WE EXPECT AND WE URGE THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION TO MAKE CLEAR THAT SADDAM MUST RESUME
FULL COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM (WEAPONS INSPECTORS)--NOT
ONLY IN MAKING SURE THAT THE INSPECTIONS GO FORWARD
BUT, I HAVE TO MAKE VERY CLEAR THAT THERE WILL BE NO
SANCTIONS RELIEF IF WE CAN'T HAVE INSPECTIONS GOING ON.
/// END ACT ///
SHE WAS ASKED WHETHER--AS THE NEWS REPORT SAID-- SHE HAD
SUGGESTED IN TELEPHONE CALLS TO CHAIRMAN BUTLER THAT HE HALT AN
INSPECTION.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///
WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS--I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO MY
CONVERSATION. I DO NOT -- LET ME MAKE THIS PERFECTLY
CLEAR -- I DO NOT TELL CHAIRMAN BUTLER WHAT TO DO.
/// END ACT ///
THE SECRETARY PLACED THE BLAME FOR U-N INSPECTIONS BEING STOPPED
SQUARELY ON IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN. AND SHE RAISED THE
POSSIBILITY OF MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///
WE ARE NOT GOING TO PLAY SADDAM'S GAME ON HIS TERMS. HE
WANTS TO CREATE A U-S/IRAQ CONFRONTATION. THIS IS AN
ISSUE BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS. BUT LET ME
ALSO MAKE CLEAR THAT, IF NECESSARY, WE WILL USE FORCE ON
OUR TIMETABLE IN RESPONSE TO THREATS, AT A TIME AND A
PLACE OF OUR CHOOSING.
/// END ACT ///
SECRETARY ALBRIGHT REPEATED AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR THE U-N
INSPECTORS AND SAID SADDAM HUSSEIN MUST REVERSE HIS DECISION
BLOCKING WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.(SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/JO
14-Aug-98 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
