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23 December 1998

• AFTER IRAQ AIR STRIKES: A TIME FOR 'LESSONS,' 'ASSESSMENTS' USIS Foreign Media Reaction Report -- December 23, 1998 -- A majority of foreign media observers continued a pattern of mostly negative reaction to the U.S. and British air strikes on Iraq as they focused on perceived damage to the UN, the possible strengthening of Saddam Hussein's position, and the embitterment of the Arab and Muslim world. Several commentators in Europe, however, argued that the air strikes "may be justified" and welcomed the "disintegration" of Iraq.
• TRANSCRIPT: PICKERING "NEWS HOUR" INTERVIEW ON IRAQ, DECEMBER 22 USIA 23 December 1998 -- Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Pickering says the U.S. policy on Iraq has been made very clear: "for the foreseeable future, following the military activities which were to degrade his weapons of mass destruction and his ability to threaten his neighbors, we would move to a policy of containment. That is the centerpiece of the United Nations' policy.
• TRANSCRIPT: NSC DIRECTOR RIEDEL "GLOBAL EXCHANGE" ON IRAQ USIA 23 December 1998 -- "The United States is determined to do what it can through prudent, effective step-by-step efforts to assist the Iraqi opposition in bringing about the day when there is a new government in Iraq that is willing to abide by its commitments under international resolutions and is willing to live at peace not only with its neighbors but with its own people," says Bruce Riedel, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director, Near East and South Asian Affairs, National Security Council.
• GULF TROOPS HOME Voice of America 23 December 1998 -- JUST DAYS AFTER A MAJOR SERIES OF AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ, THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING HOME THOUSANDS OF TROOPS AND SOME PLANES.
• IRAQ / U-N Voice of America 23 December 1998 -- THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ HAS BANNED UNITED NATIONS FLIGHTS INTO THE COUNTRY -- THE ACTION COMING FOUR DAYS AFTER THE END OF U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES.
• U-N / IRAQ STATEMENT Voice of America 23 December 1998 -- RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE CONTINUING TO DISAGREE OVER WHAT ROLE THE UNITED NATIONS SHOULD PLAY IN IRAQ. DIPLOMATS FROM THE TWO COUNTRIES DISCUSSED THE SITUATION TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.
• YEARENDER: U-N / IRAQ Voice of America 23 December 1998 -- AT THE UNITED NATIONS, NO SINGLE ISSUE WAS MORE PROMINENT IN 1998 THAN THE EFFORT TO PREVENT IRAQ FROM ACQUIRING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THE WORLD BODY IS NOW ENTERING ANOTHER YEAR OF UNCERTAINTY CONCERNING IRAQ, AND STILL TRYING TO DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE POLICY TOWARDS THAT COUNTRY.
• U.S. Is Calling for New Iraq Government, But Has No Plan to Oust Current One By JAMES RISEN The New York Times (December 23) -- A major theme of American policy toward Iraq has been the increasing sentiment in Congress and the White House that Saddam Hussein should be overthrown. Yet there is deep division between Congressional Republicans and President Clinton over how aggressively Washington should pursue that goal.
• Educated Iraqis Try to Comprehend Their Loss By STEPHEN KINZER The New York Times (December 23) -- Until 1990, when President Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait turned the country into an international pariah, Iraqis were known as some of the most sophisticated people in the Middle East. But eight years of crushing economic sanctions have turned that Iraq into a distant memory.