DATE=12/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243307
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ (S-UPDATE)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ANNOUNCED AN END TO U-S AIR STRIKES
AGAINST IRAQ, TELLING THE NATION THE MOST EXTENSIVE U-S AND
BRITISH MISSILE ATTACKS SINCE THE GULF WAR HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY
DEGRADED BAGHDAD'S ABILITY TO THREATEN THE WORLD WITH WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION. WE GET THE LATEST FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK
SIMEONE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT: FOUR DAYS INTO THE AIR WAR -- AND JUST HOURS AFTER HIS OWN
IMPEACHMENT -- PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARED "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"
IN IRAQ, BASED ON A FRESH INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT FROM HIS TOP
MILITARY COMMANDERS.
/// CLINTON ACT ///
IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO MAKE A DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF
OUR OPERATION. BUT BASED ON THE BRIEFING I'VE JUST
RECEIVED, I'M CONFIDENT WE HAVE ACHIEVED OUR MISSION.
WE HAVE INFLICTED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE ON SADDAM'S
WEAPONS-OF-MASS-DESTRUCTION PROGRAMS, ON THE COMMAND
STRUCTURES THAT DIRECT AND PROTECT THAT CAPABILITY AND
ON HIS MILITARY AND SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE.
/// END ACT ///
BUT THE PRESIDENT SAID AMERICAN FORCES WILL REMAIN IN THE GULF
REGION, CONTINUING TO ENFORCE "NO-FLY" ZONES OVER NORTHERN AND
SOUTHERN IRAQ. IN A SHIFT FROM PREVIOUS POLICY, HE STOPPED SHORT
OF DEMANDING IRAQ ALLOW UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO
RETURN TO WORK. IF THE INSPECTORS ARE IMPEDED, THE PRESIDENT
SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL BE PREPARED TO USE FORCE AGAIN, IF
IRAQ BEGINS TO REBUILD ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
(SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/WTW
19-Dec-98 6:51 PM EST (2351 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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