The White House Briefing Room
November 16, 1998
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
4:12 P.M. EST
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release November 16, 1998
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
The Roosevelt Room
4:12 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT:
................
Because this is my only opportunity to appear before the press today,
I'd like to begin by making a few comments about the situation in Iraq.
I am pleased that the weapons inspectors will return to Baghdad tomorrow
to resume their work. As I've said from the start, the best outcome is to get
the inspectors back on the job, provided they have unfettered access and full
cooperation.
We know what the inspectors can accomplish. Since the system was
created and the inspections began, Iraq has been forced to declare and destroy,
among other things, nearly 40,000 chemical weapons; nearly 700 tons of chemical
weapons agents; 48 operational missiles; 30 warheads especially fitted for
chemical and biological weapons; and a massive biological weapons plant equipped
to produce anthrax and other deadly agents.
The weapons inspectors, in short, have done a remarkable job. They must
be permitted to finish their work. The burden of compliance is where it has
always been -- on Iraq. Baghdad has an affirmative obligation to comply with
the U.N. resolutions that require it to disclose and destroy its weapons of mass
destruction and the capability of delivering those weapons.
Governments all over the world today stand united in sharing the
conviction that full compliance, and nothing short of full compliance, is needed
from Iraq. The world is watching Saddam Hussein to see if he follows the words
he uttered with deeds. Our forces remain strong and ready if he does not.
.........
END 4:20 P.M. EST
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