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28 December 1998

TRANSCRIPT: CLINTON REMARKS ON IRAQ, DECEMBER 28, 1998

(Defends pilots' returning fire of Iraqi SAM site) (360)
Washington -- President Clinton says US pilots "took appropriate
action" when they returned fire on an Iraqi anti-aircraft site which
had launched a surface-to-air missile against them.
In remarks during a December 28 White House event on Social Security,
Clinton said he is "very proud" of the work the pilots do, "the risks
they take" and "the skill and professionalism with which they do it.
"They attacked because they were attacked," he said "and they did the
appropriate thing. We will continue to enforce the no-fly zones."
Following is the White House transcript:
(begin transcript)
THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, before I get into my remarks,
because this is the only opportunity I will have to appear before the
press today, I think I should say a few words about an incident early
this morning over the skies of Iraq, where American and British air
crews were enforcing a no-fly zone in Northern Iraq. They were fired
on by Iraq surface-to-air missiles. They took evasive action, returned
fire on the missile site, and returned safely to their base in Turkey.
We enforce two no-fly zones in Iraq, one in the North, established in
1991; another in the South, established in 1992, which now stretches
from the southern suburbs of Baghdad down to the Kuwaiti border. The
no-fly zones have been and will remain an important part of our
containment policy. Because we effectively control the skies over much
of Iraq, Saddam has been unable to use air power to repress his own
people or to lash out again at his neighbors. Our pilots have the
authority to protect themselves if they're threatened or attacked.
They took appropriate action today in responding to Iraq's actions.
Once again, I want to tell you I am very proud of the work they do,
the risks they take, the skill and the professionalism with which they
do it. They attacked because they were attacked. And they did the
appropriate thing. We will continue to enforce the no-fly zones.
(end transcript)