DATE=1/12/98

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-225151

TITLE=CLINTON/IRAQ (S)

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:   PRESIDENT CLINTON IS PREDICTING A STRONG INTERNATIONAL 

RESPONSE IF IRAQ FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH ITS THREAT TO BLOCK WEAPONS

INSPECTIONS BY A U-N TEAM DOMINATED BY AMERICANS. V-O-A'S DAVID 

GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.



TEXT:   MR. CLINTON SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH

THE SELECTION OF THE WEAPONS TEAM  IRAQ HAS SINGLED OUT FOR 

ACTION.  AND HE SAYS IF BAGHDAD FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH ITS THREAT 

AND BARS THE AMERICAN-LED TEAM, IT WOULD BE A SERIOUS VIOLATION 

OF U-N RESOLUTIONS REQUIRING A STRONG AND APPROPRIATE SECURITY 

COUNCIL RESPONSE. 



IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS,  MR. CLINTON SAID HE HOPES THE IRAQI 

MOVE DOES NOT SIGNAL A RETURN TO CONFRONTATION WITH BAGHDAD, BUT 

THAT THE IRAQI LEADERSHIP CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO DECIDE FOR ITSELF

WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH FOR WEAPONS OF MASSS DESTRUCTION:



                    /// CLINTON ACTUALITY///



         THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT ATTEMPTED TO INFLUENCE THE 

         COMPOSITION OF  THE PEOPLE ON THE TEAMS. BUT CERTAINLY 

         SADDAM HUSSEIN SHOULDN'T BE  ABLE TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHO

         DOES THIS WORK. THAT'S FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TO DECIDE.



                          ///END ACT///



OFFICIALS HERE (WHITE HOUSE)  FLATLY DENY IRAQ'S CHARGE THAT THE 

LEADER OF THE TEAM IN QUESTION -- SCOTT RIDDER -- WORKS FOR U-S 

INTELLIGENCE. (SIGNED)







NEB/DAG/PT



12-Jan-98 3:50 PM EST (2050 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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