DATE= 11/7/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222344
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND OTHER U-S OFFICIALS ARE EXPRESSING
GROWING FRUSTRATION OVER IRAQ, AFTER THREE U-N ENVOYS LEFT
BAGHDAD WITHOUT PERSUADING THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT TO DROP ITS
THREAT TO EXPEL U-S MEMBERS OF A U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM.
V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.
TEXT: MR. CLINTON SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE MUCH HOPE THAT IRAQI
LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN WILL GIVE ANY GROUND IN THE STANDOFF OVER
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.
// CLINTON ACTUALITY //
NO, I DON'T, BUT WE HAVE TO BE RESOLUTE AND FIRM.
// END ACT //
AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE U-N
ENVOYS WHO LEFT BAGHDAD FOR NEW YORK FRIDAY DID NOT ACHIEVE WHAT
THE UNITED STATES HAD HOPED.
// RUBIN ACTUALITY //
THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE CONVINCED SADDAM HUSSEIN TO
STOP HIS FLOUTING OF THE UNITED NATIONS, TO REVERSE HIS
DECISION ON PROHIBITING THE WORK OF U-N INSPECTORS
WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS, AND TO START GETTING IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS. THIS IS A MOST
DISTURBING DEVELOPMENT.
// END ACT //
AT THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT, A SENIOR OFFICIAL WHO DID NOT WANT TO
BE IDENTIFIED HAD A BLUNT WARNING FOR BAGHDAD IN RESPONSE TO
IRAQ'S RENEWED THREAT TO SHOOT DOWN U-S SPY PLANES OVER ITS
TERRITORY. THE OFFICIAL SAID AN ATTACK ON A U-2 SPY PLANE WOULD
BE VIEWED AS AN ACT OF WAR, AND THAT A MILITARY RESPONSE WOULD BE
CONSIDERED.
A U-2 FLIGHT SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY WAS POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT
WEEK, AFTER THE U-N ENVOYS LEFT IRAQ.
PRESIDENT CLINTON WOULD NOT RULE OUT ANY OPTION IN DEALING WITH
IRAQ, BUT SAID THERE WOULD BE NO ACTION BEFORE U-N ENVOYS REPORT
TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ON MONDAY.
// CLINTON ACTUALITY //
I THINK WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE U-N DIPLOMATS COME
BACK. WE HAVE TO COUNSEL WITH OUR ALLIES, WE HAVE TO
GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO BE HEARD AND SEE WHAT WE ARE GOING
TO DO. BUT I HAVE SEEN NO INDICATION THAT ANY OF OUR
ALLIES ARE WEAKENING ON THIS. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE
UNITED IN THEIR DETERMINATION TO RESTORE THE INSPECTIONS
ON TERMS THE UNITED NATIONS DECIDES, NOT ON SADDAM
HUSSEIN'S TERMS.
// END ACT //
MR. CLINTON IS TO BE KEPT UPDATED ON DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ FROM
HIS NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/RRM
07-Nov-97 3:36 PM EST (2036 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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