DATE=12/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243265
TITLE=IRAQ ATTACK / IMPEACHMENT (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: WITH AMERICAN MILITARY FORCES STILL IN ACTION AGAINST
IRAQ, THE U-S CONGRESS IS DECIDING WHETHER TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT
CLINTON, THE TROOPS' COMMANDER IN CHIEF. A COMMANDER IN THE
PERSIAN GULF, AIR FORCE GENERAL HAL HORNBURG, SAYS DEVELOPMENTS
IN WASHINGTON WILL HAVE NO EFFECT ON OPERATIONS NEAR IRAQ.
V-O-A'S NICK SIMEONE REPORTS.
TEXT: GENERAL HORNBURG IS HALF A WORLD AWAY FROM THE HISTORIC
IMPEACHMENT DRAMA UNFOLDING IN WASHINGTON. IN A TELEPHONE
CONFERENCE CALL, HE ANSWERED THE INEVITABLE QUESTION ABOUT
WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LIKELY IMPEACHMENT IS AFFECTING THE
MORALE OF THE FORCES HE COMMANDS.
/// HORNBURG ACT ///
OUR MISSION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE POLITICAL
PROCESS. OUR OATH AS PROFESSIONAL AIRMEN, SAILORS
SOLDIERS AND MARINES IS TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE
CONSTITUTION. WE WILL DO THAT AND TAKE THE ORDERS GIVEN
TO US. ONE PROCESS DOES NOT AFFECT THE OTHER.
/// END ACT ///
PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS FOREIGN-POLICY ADVISERS HAVE SAID IT
WAS ESSENTIAL TO CARRY OUT THE MISSION AGAINST IRAQ NOW --
IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS OR NOT -- IN ORDER TO PREVENT IRAQ FROM
DISPERSING ITS MILITARY ASSETS.
YET SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT CONVINCED. ANTI-AMERICAN PROTESTS BROKE
OUT IN A NUMBER OF ARAB CAPITALS FRIDAY, WITH DEMONSTRATORS
SAYING THE ATTACKS ARE AN EFFORT BY PRESIDENT CLINTON TO DIVERT
ATTENTION AWAY FROM HIS LEGAL AND POLITICAL PREDICAMENT.
(SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/WTW
18-Dec-98 4:33 PM EST (2133 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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