'Nothing Off Table' in Iraqi Confrontation
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON -- U.S. officials stressed nothing is off the
table -- meaning military force is a possibility -- in
resolving the latest standoff with Iraq.
Defense Secretary William S. Cohen has met with allies in
London and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Pentagon spokesman Navy
Capt. Mike Doubleday said President Clinton asked Cohen to
make the trip to give allies the U.S. position on Iraq and
get their feelings on the crisis.
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has again refused to allow
U.N. weapon inspectors to do their jobs. The inspectors are
in the country to ensure Iraq has destroyed its weapons of
mass destruction and the means to produce those weapons.
The U.N. position is Iraq must comply with all Security
Council resolutions.
Cohen cut short a trip to the Far East to travel to the
Gulf region. A statement following Cohen's meeting with
British Defense Minister George Robertson said Iraq's
actions threaten the credibility of the United Nations and
threaten regional stability.
Doubleday said no U.S. troops have been alerted to deploy
to the region. "We have a very robust force in the region,"
he said. It includes carrier- and land-based aircraft and
Tomahawk-capable ships. He said 23,000 U.S. service members
are in the area from all services. The aircraft carrier USS
Eisenhower anchors the naval forces in the area. A Marine
Amphibious Ready Group is aboard the USS Essex.
"This is a serious situation," Doubleday said. "Iraq has
been condemned around the world. I expect we will see quick
action in the U.N. Security Council." He said Cohen will
continue to consult with allies in the Gulf and Europe.
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