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02 November 1998

TEXT: CLINTON REMARKS ON IRAQ AT BEGINNING OF HEALTH EVENT NOV. 2

(Until inspectors back on job, "no options" off table) (370)
Washington -- President Clinton says that Saddam Hussein's latest
refusal to cooperate with UN weapons inspectors in Iraq "is completely
unacceptable" and "will backfire."
In November 2 remarks in the East Room of the White House prior to a
health event, Clinton noted Saddam's "obstructionism was immediately
and unanimously condemned by the United Nations Security Council" and
"has only served to deepen the international community's resolve."
The President said he has met with his national security team to
review the situation and "discuss our next steps." He also said that
in coming days, "we will be consulting closely with our allies and our
friends in the region.
"Until the inspectors are back on the job," Clinton added, "no options
are off the table."
Following is the White House text:
(begin text)
Let me say before I begin a few words about the situation in Iraq,
which has been dominating the news and I haven't had a chance to talk
to the American people through the press in the last couple of days.
Saddam Hussein's latest refusal to cooperate with the international
weapons inspectors is completely unacceptable. Once again, though, it
will backfire. Far from dividing the international community and
achieving concessions, his obstructionism was immediately and
unanimously condemned by the United Nations Security Council. It has
only served to deepen the international community's resolve.
Just a short while ago, I met with my national security team to review
the situation and discuss our next steps. Iraq must let the inspectors
finish the job they started seven years ago, a job Iraq promised to
let them do repeatedly.
What is that job? Making sure Iraq accounts for and destroys all its
chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons capability and the missiles
to deliver such weapons. For Iraq the only path to lifting sanctions
is through complete cooperation with the weapons inspectors, without
restrictions, runarounds, or road blocks.
In the coming days, we will be consulting closely with our allies and
our friends in the region. Until the inspectors are back on the job,
no options are off the table.
(end text)