DATE=9/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238143
TITLE=SENATE-IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A FORMER UNITED NATIONS ARMS INSPECTOR HAS ACCUSED THE
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OF INTERFERING WITH HIS WORK IN IRAQ, TO
HEAD OFF A NEW SHOWDOWN WITH PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN. SCOTT
RITTER, WHO RESIGNED FROM THE INSPECTION TEAM LAST WEEK,
TESTIFIED BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEES (THURSDAY). V-O-A'S DAVID
SWAN HAS DETAILS.
TEXT: MR. RITTER WASTED NO TIME IN RESPONDING TO SECRETARY OF
STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT, WHO HAS SAID (EARLIER THIS WEEK) HE HAS
NO CLUE ABOUT U-S POLICY.
/// RITTER ACT ///
I DO HAVE A CLUE, IN FACT SEVERAL. ALL OF WHICH INDICATE
OUR GOVERNMENT HAS CLEARLY EXPRESSED ITS POLICY IN ONE
WAY AND THEN ACTED IN ANOTHER.
/// END ACT ///
MR. RITTER SAYS WASHINGTON KEPT THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION FROM
CARRYING OUT ITS TASK OF INSPECTING IRAQ'S WEAPONS. THE UNITED
STATES SENT THOUSANDS OF TROOPS TO THE GULF REGION THIS YEAR WHEN
BAGHDAD REFUSED TO LET INSPECTIONS GO FORWARD.
HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION COULD NOT LINE UP MUCH SUPPORT, FROM
CONGRESS OR OTHER NATIONS, FOR A MILITARY STRIKE. MR. RITTER
SAYS OFFICIALS ARE NOW TRYING TO AVOID CONFRONTATION EVEN THOUGH
THE THREAT HAS NOT DISAPPEARED.
/// RITTER ACT ///
THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS UNDERMINED UNSCOM'S EFFORTS,
THROUGH INTERFERENCE AND MANIPULATION, USUALLY COMING
FROM THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S NATIONAL
SECURITY TEAM, TO INCLUDE THE SECRETARY OF STATE
HERSELF.
/// END ACT ///
MS ALBRIGHT AND OTHERS DENY MR. RITTER'S ACCUSATIONS, SAYING THE
UNITED STATES HAS BEEN THE STRONGEST SUPPORTER OF UNSCOM.
DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN DEFENDED THE U-S STANCE, TELLING
MR. RITTER HIS CONCERNS ARE VALID BUT ADDING THAT THE PRESIDENT'S
AIDES HAVE OTHER ISSUES TO CONSIDER.
/// BIDEN ACT ///
THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY SLIGHTLY ABOVE YOUR PAY
GRADE, SLIGHTLY ABOVE YOUR PAY GRADE, TO DECIDE WHETHER
OR NOT TO TAKE THE NATION TO WAR ALONE OR TO TAKE THE
NATION TO WAR PART WAY OR TO TAKE THE NATION TO WAR
HALFWAY. THAT'S A REAL TOUGH DECISION. THAT'S WHY THEY
GET PAID THE BIG BUCKS. THAT'S WHY THEY GET THE LIMOS
(LIMOUSINES) AND YOU DON'T.
/// END ACT ///
DEMOCRATS OBJECTED TO THE HEARING, ON THE GROUNDS THE
ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CHANCE TO ANSWER MR.
RITTER'S CHARGES. THE SECRETARIES OF STATE AND DEFENSE ARE
EXPECTED TO DO JUST THAT SOMETIME NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/WDC/PLM
03-Sep-98 5:25 PM EDT (2125 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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