DATE=12/21/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-224403

TITLE=U-S/IRAQ (L)

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON 

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND IRAQ 

ESCALATED A BIT SUNDAY WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ENVOY TO THE 

UNITED NATIONS WARNING TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR BAGHDAD TO COMPLY 

WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS REGARDING WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  MORE FROM 

CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE.



TEXT:  DESPITE ATTEMPTS AT DIPLOMATIC PERSUASION AND THE MORE 

BLUNT THREAT OF A U-S MILITARY STRIKE, IRAQ REMAINS UNWILLING TO 

ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS ACCESS TO PRESIDENTIAL SITES, SITES 

WHERE DANGEROUS CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS COULD BE STORED.



SPEAKING ON N-B-C TELEVISON'S "MEET THE PRESS" PROGRAM, U-S 

UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON SAID HE HOPES THIS WEEK

THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL TAKE A STRONG AND UNITED STAND AGAINST 

IRAQ'S CONTINUED DEFIANCE.



                      // RICHARDSON ACT //



         IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL 

         THIS COMING WEEK BACK OUR CONTINUED EFFORTS AS THEY HAVE

         FOUR TIMES UNANIMOUSLY IN RESOLUTIONS, TO GET SADDAM 

         HUSSEIN TO OPEN UP ALL SITES. 



                          // END ACT //



BUT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN MAKING SUCH COMMENTS FOR WEEKS.  

MEANWHILE, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED TO GET 

PRESIDENT SADDAM TO BUDGE ON THE ISSUE OF COMPLETE ACCESS TO ALL 

SITES WHERE INSPECTORS BELIEVE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION COULD 

BE STORED OR PRODUCED.



                   // SECOND RICHARDSON ACT //



         PATIENCE IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO RUN OUT AND I BELIEVE 

         THAT THERE WILL BE A UNITED, INTERNATIONAL EFFORT 

         THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS VERY SOON THAT WILL SEND 

         ANOTHER UNMISTAKABLE SIGNAL TO SADDAM HUSSEIN THAT HE 

         CAN'T CONTINUE THIS SNUBBING OF THE INTERNATIONAL 

         COMMUNITY. 



                          // END ACT //



DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN REAFFIRMED SUNDAY A MILITARY 

OPTION HAS NOT BEEN RULED OUT IF IRAQ CONTINUES TO RESTRICT U-N 

WEAPONS INSPECTORS, WHO HE EXPECTS WILL INTENSIFY THEIR SEARCH IN

THE COMING WEEKS.  



AMONG AMERICA'S ALLIES, ONLY BRITAIN HAS BEEN WILLING TO SUPPORT 

A MILITARY OPTION.  THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION RE-AFFIRMED SUNDAY

EXISTING U-N RESOLUTIONS GIVE IT THE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT A 

UNILATERAL MILITARY STRIKE IF OTHER NATIONS REFUSE TO GO ALONG.  

(SIGNED) 



NEB/NJS/RAE



21-Dec-97 12:14 PM EST (1714 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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