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U.S. launches 'substantial' air strike against Iraq

Released: 16 Dec 1998

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) - U.S. forces launched a "substantial" air strike against Iraq in the early morning hours of Dec. 17, responding to Iraqi resistance to U.N. weapons inspections.

White House press secretary Joe Lockhart said President Clinton authorized the attack the morning of Dec. 16 after meeting with his foreign policy team.

"At the direction of the president," Lockhart said, "the United States military forces have launched a substantial military strike against Iraq. The president decided to take this action after reviewing the conclusions of the report to the United Nations secretary general and Security Council Dec. 15 by UNSCOM [weapons inspector] chairman Richard Butler and discussing the situation with his foreign policy team here at the White House."

He added that President Clinton would address the nation shortly about the military action.