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December 18, 1998

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE

                               THE WHITE HOUSE
                        Office of the Press Secretary
  For Immediate Release                                        December 18,
  1998
                     TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
                         TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
                         OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE
                     PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE
                        December 18, 1998
  Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Mr. President:)
  At approximately 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on December 16, 1998, at
  my direction, U.S. military forces conducted missile and aircraft strikes
  in Iraq in response to Iraqi breaches of its obligations under
  resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.  The strikes will
  degrade Iraq's ability to develop and deliver weapons of mass destruction
  (WMD) and its ability to threaten its neighbors.  This action, carried
  out in concert with military forces of the United Kingdom, enjoys the
  support of many of our friends and allies.  It is consistent with and has
  been taken in support of numerous U.N. Security Council resolu-tions,
  including Resolutions 678 and 687, which authorize U.N. Member States to
  use "all necessary means" to implement the Security Council resolutions
  and to restore peace and security in the region and establish the terms
  of the cease-fire mandated by the Council, including those related to the
  destruction of Iraq's WMD programs.
  United States strikes are ongoing.  United States forces have targeted
  facilities that are actively involved in WMD and ballistic missile
  activities, or pose a threat to Iraq's neighbors or to U.S. forces
  conducting this operation.
  At the same time I ordered the strikes, I authorized the deployment of
  additional U.S. forces to Southwest Asia.  These forces include U.S.
  Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force units to reinforce those forces
  already present in the region.  These forces will remain in the region as
  long as is necessary to protect the national security interests of the
  United States.
  I directed these actions pursuant to my authority under the Constitution
  as Commander in Chief and as Chief Executive, and to conduct U.S. foreign
  relations, as well as under the Authorization for Use of Military Force
  Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1) enacted in January 1991.
  I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress
  fully informed, consistent with Public Law 102-1.  I appreciate the
  support of the Congress as we continue to take all necessary steps to
  secure Iraqi compliance with U.N. Security Council resolutions.
                                Sincerely,
                                WILLIAM J. CLINTON
                                  30-30-30