DATE=11/10/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241476
TITLE=CLINTON/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS CONFERRED WITH U-S MILITARY CHIEFS
AS THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO RATCHET-UP THE PRESSURE ON
IRAQ TO END ITS DEFIANCE OF THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS REGIME.
V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: OFFICIALS HERE SAY THE STRATEGY SESSION INCLUDED
DISCUSSION OF BOTH MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC OPTIONS IN DEALING
WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN. BUT THE LINEUP OF PARTICIPANTS WAS HEAVY
WITH PENTAGON OFFICIALS INCLUDING DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN
AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MILITARY JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL
HUGH SHELTON.
CLINTON SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAID THERE WERE STILL EFFORTS
UNDERWAY THROUGH MEDIATORS TO TRY TO PERSUADE SADDAM HUSSEIN TO
REVERSE HIS DECISION TO BREAK OFF INSPECTIONS. BUT HE INSISTED
THE ISSUE IS NOT SOMETHING THE IRAQI LEADER IS IN A POSITION TO
BARGAIN OVER:
///LOCKHART ACTUALITY///
I THINK THAT THERE ARE BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
CHANNELS. I WOULD REPEAT THOUGH THAT THIS IS NOT A
SITUATION WHERE WE'RE LOOKING FOR NEGOTIATION. THERE'S
NOTHING TO NEGOTIATE.
///END ACT///
DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN ANNOUNCED AFTER THE MEETING HERE THAT A
U-S NAVY TASK FORCE LED BY THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER INDEPENDENCE WAS
BEING DISPATCHED TO THE GULF REGION AHEAD OF SCHEDULE TO
SUPPLEMENT ONE ALREADY THERE.
SPOKESMAN LOCKHART, MEANWHILE SAID THE PRESIDENT HAD BEGUN A
SERIES OF TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ON THE CRISIS WITH WORLD
LEADERS STARTING WITH BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR AND
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU.
HE ALSO WOULD NOT RULE OUT CANCELLING OR SCALING BACK THE TEN-DAY
ASIAN TRIP MR. CLINTON BEGINS LATE THIS WEEK BECAUSE OF THE
SITUATION. BUT HE SAID THE PLAN FOR NOW IS TO GO AHEAD WITH THE
MISSION BEGINNING SATURDAY TO MALAYSIA, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND
GUAM. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PT
10-Nov-98 4:11 PM EST (2111 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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