DATE=12/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243101
TITLE=LOTT-IRAQ (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN WHAT IS BELIEVED TO BE AN UNPRECEDENTED ACTION, THE
U-S SENATE MAJORITY (REPUBLICAN) LEADER ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT
SUPPORT AMERICAN MILITARY STRIKES ON IRAQ - IN PART, HE SAYS,
BECAUSE THE TIMING IS SUSPECT. THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME JUST
BEFORE THE UNITED STATES ATTACKED IRAQ. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN
REPORTS.
TEXT: IN AN UNUSUAL, SHARPLY WORDED STATEMENT, REPUBLICAN LEADER
TRENT LOTT SAYS HE WILL NOT GIVE PRESIDENT CLINTON HIS BACKING
FOR THE USE OF FORCE AT THIS TIME.
THE SENATOR IS SKEPTICAL OF WHITE HOUSE ASSURANCES THE ACTION IS
NOT AN ATTEMPT TO DELAY THE PENDING IMPEACHMENT VOTE IN THE HOUSE
(OF REPRESENTATIVES). MR. LOTT SAYS BOTH THE TIMING AND THE
POLICY ITSELF ARE SUBJECT TO QUESTION. THE MAJORITY LEADER SAYS
THAT INSTEAD OF WHAT HE CALLS A CURSORY AIRSTRIKE, HE WANTS AN
INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN, WITH THE GOAL OF TOPPLING PRESIDENT SADDAM
HUSSEIN.
WHILE OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS OFTEN ATTACK THE PRESIDENT'S HANDLING
OF THE GULF SITUATION, THEY RARELY REFUSE TO LEND THEIR SUPPORT
AT THE MOMENT OF CRISIS. ANOTHER KEY REPUBLICAN SENATOR, JOHN
MCCAIN, SAYS HE WILL FULLY SUPPORT THE ACTION IF IT IS STRONG
ENOUGH TO WEAKEN PRESIDENT SADDAM (HUSSEIN). OTHERWISE, HE SAYS,
THE MOVE IS DESTINED TO FAIL AGAIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/WDC/RRM
16-Dec-98 5:18 PM EST (2218 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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