DATE= 11/9/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222392
TITLE=CLINTON/IRAQ WRAP (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
// THIS PIECE CAN SUB CLINTON/IRAQ LONG CR //
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON WARNS IRAQ WILL BE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE
IF IT CONTINUES TO OBSTRUCT THE WORK OF UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS
INSPECTORS AND CARRIES OUT A THREAT TO SHOOT DOWN AMERICAN U-2
SPY PLANES USED BY INSPECTION TEAMS. ANOTHER U-2 FLIGHT IS
SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY. MORE ON WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN ESCALATING
SITUATION FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE.
TEXT: THE SIGNALS COMING FROM BOTH BAGHDAD AND WASHINGTON
INDICATE THE UNITED STATES AND IRAQ ARE ONCE AGAIN HEADING TOWARD
MILITARY CONFRONTATION.
IRAQ CLAIMS AMERICAN-PILOTED U-2 SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS, AS WELL AS
AMERICAN WEAPONS INSPECTORS WORKING FOR THE UNITED NATIONS, ARE
ENGAGED IN ESPIONAGE. LAST WEEK, IRAQ ANNOUNCED THAT ALL THE
AMERICANS HAD TO LEAVE.
SPEAKING ON N-B-C'S MEET THE PRESS SUNDAY, PRESIDENT CLINTON LEFT
LITTLE DOUBT IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN CAN EXPECT MILITARY
RETALIATION IF HE CARRIES OUT A THREAT TO SHOOT DOWN THE U-2'S,
WHICH FLY UNDER A U-N MANDATE.
// CLINTON ACT //
IF YOU SHOOT AT THEM, YOU WILL BE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE.
WE WILL NOT TOLERATE HIS (SADDAM HUSSEIN) EFFORTS TO
MURDER OUR PILOTS ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED
NATIONS, ACTING UNDER UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS.
// END ACT //
ON THE EVE OF WHAT COULD BE A DECISIVE MEETING AMONG U-N SECURITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS, TOP CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WERE
WORKING SUNDAY TO MAKE SURE BAGHDAD GOT THE MESSAGE THAT THE GULF
WAR ALLIES WILL NOT BE DETERRED BY PRESIDENT SADDAM'S THREATS.
BILL RICHARDSON, THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE U-N, SPOKE BRIEFLY
WITH REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON.
// RICHARDSON ACT //
SADDAM SHOULD NOT MAKE A MISTAKE. HE'S HEADED TOWARDS
MAKING A BIG MISTAKE.
// END ACT //
IRAQ'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ IS EXPECTED TO ARGUE
BAGHDAD'S CASE BEFORE SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN NEW YORK
MONDAY. AFTER SIX YEARS OF SANCTIONS, IRAQ MAINTAINS THE UNITED
STATES IS DELIBERATELY DRAGGING OUT THE WEAPONS INSPECTION
PROCESS SO THAT AMERICAN INSPECTORS CAN CONDUCT ESPIONAGE.
PRESIDENT CLINTON SUNDAY BRUSHED ASIDE CONCERNS THAT SIX YEARS
AFTER THE WAR, THE U-N COALITION PUT TOGETHER TO DRIVE IRAQI
TROOPS OUT OF KUWAIT MAY NOW BE CRACKING -- AND THAT IRAQ'S GOAL
MAY BE TO FURTHER DIVIDE THE GULF WAR ALLIES.
ON THE CONTRARY, THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE EXPECTS THE SECURITY
COUNCIL TO TAKE WHAT HE CALLED VERY STRONG AND UNAMBIGUOUS ACTION
IF BAGHDAD CONTINUES ON ITS PRESENT COURSE OF ACTION.
// SECOND CLINTON ACT //
THE RUSSIANS AND THE FRENCH AND THE ARAB STATES HAVE A
HUGE STAKE IN NOT ALLOWING HIM (SADDAM HUSSEIN) TO
DEVELOP AND DEPLOY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. WHAT IF
HE HAS A MISSILE WITH THE CAPACITY TO REACH EUROPE?
// END ACT //
EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST WEEK, IRAQ HAS REFUSED TO PERMIT AMERICAN
WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO DO THEIR JOBS AND IS DEMANDING THAT ALL OF
THEM LEAVE. THREE U-N DIPLOMATS WHO WERE DISPATCHED TO BAGHDAD
LAST WEEK TO TRY TO WORK OUT A SOLUTION LEFT EMPTY-HANDED. THE
BALL IS NOW BACK IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S COURT, WHICH MUST
DECIDE ON THE NEXT COURSE OF ACTION.
LATE SUNDAY, IRAQ'S OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY QUOTED PRESIDENT SADDAM
AS SAYING IRAQ MUST NOW EITHER MAKE SACRIFICES OR FACE SLAVERY, A
DECISION THAT THE IRAQI LEADER CAST AS A CHOICE BETWEEN LIFE WITH
DIGNITY AND HONOR OR BEING CONFRONTED WITH WHAT HE CALLED ALL
POSSIBILITIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/WFR
09-Nov-97 5:01 PM EST (2201 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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