DATE=12/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243105
TITLE=US/IRAQ ATTACK (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS A LAUNCHED A MILITARY ATTACK
AGAINST IRAQ FOR BAGHDAD'S FAILURE TO ALLOW UNITED NATIONS
WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO CARRY OUT THEIR WORK. THE ANNOUNCEMENT
WAS MADE AT ABOUT 5:08 P-M (WEDNESDAY) FROM THE WHITE HOUSE,
WHERE CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS.
TEXT: WITH MILITARY ACTION ALREADY BEING SEEN OVER THE SKIES OF
BAGHDAD, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART CAME BEFORE REPORTERS
TO ANNOUNCE "A SUBSTANTIAL" U-S MILITARY STRIKE, AS HE PUT IT,
AGAINST IRAQ HAD BEGUN.
/// LOCKHART ACT ///
THE PRESIDENT DECIDED TO TAKE THIS ACTION THIS MORNING,
AFTER REVIEWING THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE REPORT TO THE
UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL AND SECURITY COUNCIL
YESTERDAY BY UNSCOM CHAIRMAN RICHARD BUTLER AND
DISCUSSING THE SITUATION WITH HIS FOREIGN POLICY TEAM
HERE AT THE WHITE HOUSE. I EXPECT THE PRESIDENT TO
ADDRESS THE NATION FROM THE OVAL OFFICE WITHIN THE HOUR.
/// END ACT///
THE MILITARY ACTION HAD BEEN FORESHADOWED BY THE SUDDEN DEPARTURE
OF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS FROM BAGHDAD. BUT IN AN EXTRAORDINARY
BREAK WITH TRADITION, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT ANNOUNCED
HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT THE STRIKE, SAYING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON
FACING POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT IN THE MONICA LEWINSKY MATTER, BOTH
THE TIMING AND THE POLICY ARE SUBJECT TO QUESTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/WDC/RRM
16-Dec-98 5:38 PM EST (2238 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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