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06 November 1998

TEXT: CLINTON STATEMENT ON IRAQ AND INSPECTORS LATE NOVEMBER 5

(Long past time for Iraq to meet obligations to the world) (470)
Washington -- President Clinton said late November 5 that "Iraq's
latest attempt to block the vital work of the international weapons
inspectors is totally unacceptable."
In a written statement at the White House following issuance in New
York of the UN Security Council on Iraq, Clinton said "A short while
ago, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a
resolution condemning Iraq's intransigence and insisting it
immediately resume full cooperation with the weapons inspectors -- no
ifs, no ands, no buts about it.
"It is long past time for Iraq to meet its obligations to the world,"
the President said. "After the Gulf War, the international community
demanded and Iraq agreed to declare and destroy all of its chemical,
biological and nuclear weapons capability and the missiles to deliver
them, and to meet other U.N. Security Council resolutions. We imposed
these conditions to ensure that Iraq would no longer threaten the
region or the world. We kept sanctions in place -- exempting food,
medicine and other humanitarian supplies -- to make sure that Iraq
made good on its commitments.
"The burden is on Iraq to get back in compliance and meet its
obligations -- immediately," Clinton said.
Following is the White House text:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
November 5, 1998
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Iraq's latest attempt to block the vital work of the international
weapons inspectors is totally unacceptable. That is not just my belief
or America's belief -- it is the demand of the international
community. A short while ago, the United Nations Security Council
unanimously adopted a resolution condemning Iraq's intransigence and
insisting it immediately resume full cooperation with the weapons
inspectors -- no ifs, no ands, no buts about it.
It is long past time for Iraq to meet its obligations to the world.
After the Gulf War, the international community demanded and Iraq
agreed to declare and destroy all of its chemical, biological and
nuclear weapons capability and the missiles to deliver them, and to
meet other U.N. Security Council resolutions. We imposed these
conditions to ensure that Iraq would no longer threaten the region or
the world. We kept sanctions in place -- exempting food, medicine and
other humanitarian supplies -- to make sure that Iraq made good on its
commitments.
Now, the better part of a decade later, Iraq continues to shirk its
clear obligations. Iraq has no one to blame but itself -- and the
people of Iraq have no one to blame but Saddam Hussein -- for the
position Iraq finds itself in today. Iraq could have ended its
isolation long ago by simply complying with the will of the world. The
burden is on Iraq to get back in compliance and meet its obligations
-- immediately.
(end text)