DATE=10/8/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239923
TITLE=CONGRESS IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S CONGRESS HAS VOTED TO SPEND NEARLY 100-MILLION
DOLLARS TO HELP THE IRAQI OPPOSITION TRY TO BRING DOWN PRESIDENT
SADDAM HUSSEIN. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS THE MEASURE NOW GOES
TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: THE SENATE APPROVED THE PROPOSAL WITHOUT DISSENT
(WEDNESDAY NIGHT) AFTER IT OVERWHELMINGLY CLEARED THE HOUSE (360
TO 38) TWO DAYS EARLIER. THE STRONG SUPPORT REFLECTS A
WIDESPREAD BIPARTISAN FRUSTRATION AT PRESIDENT SADDAM'S DEFIANCE
OF THE UNITED STATES AND WORLD COMMUNITY.
THE (LEGISLATIVE) PACKAGE WOULD AUTHORIZE UP TO 97-MILLION
DOLLARS IN MILITARY AID TO IRAQI RESISTANCE FORCES, WITH
TWO-MILLION MORE FOR BROADCASTS BY "RADIO FREE IRAQ." THE BILL
ALLOWS PRESIDENT CLINTON TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ARM THE REBEL
ORGANIZATIONS AND WHICH ONES TO HELP. HOWEVER THE PLAN'S INTENT
IS TO GIVE DIRECT, OVERT AMERICAN BACKING TO THOSE SEEKING TO
TOPPLE THE GOVERNMENT IN BAGHDAD.
THE MEASURE'S SUPPORTERS SAY THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION BECAUSE
IRAQ WILL THREATEN THE GULF AND THE WORLD AS LONG AS PRESIDENT
SADDAM RETAINS POWER. WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT HOPES TO
SEE A NEW LEADER, OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO OPENLY CALL OR
WORK FOR THE PRESIDENT'S OVERTHROW. DURING THIS WEEK'S
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE, SOME LAWMAKERS ALSO RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT
THE PROBLEM OF UNIFYING DOZENS OF OPPOSITION GROUPS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/LTD/JO
08-Oct-98 11:20 AM EDT (1520 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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