9873. Cohen Calls for More Allied Support

By Linda D. Kozaryn

American Forces Press Service



	MUNICH, Germany -- Defense Secretary William S. Cohen called 

on world allies to help enforce U.N. resolutions against Iraq. 

Failure to do so, he said, undercuts U.N. credibility.

	"The best way to avoid any need to resort to military action 

is for all of our NATO friends and U.N. members, those in the 

U.N. Security Council in particular, to reaffirm their commitment 

to their own resolutions," Cohen said. The secretary was here 

Feb. 6-8 for an annual European security conference. It was his 

first stop on a seven-day trip to Europe and the Middle East.

	Responding to Cohen's rallying cry, German Chancellor Helmut 

Kohl offered his nation's political support during an address 

Feb. 7. "For me it is fully clear that our air bases will be 

available to U.S. forces, if needed," Kohl said.

	Following Kohl's announcement, German Defense Minister 

Volker Ruehe said there is "clear political support" in Germany 

for U.S. and British efforts to prevent Iraq from rebuilding its 

weapons of mass destruction capabilities. "It is clear that 

everybody cares in the same way about the dangers of these 

weapons and the situation in Iraq," Ruehe said. 

	Cohen told reporters he believes other NATO members also 

will support efforts to enforce the resolutions. "It remains to 

be seen what that will be in terms of military support or moral 

support," he said.

	British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the United Kingdom 

will send another eight Tornado aircraft to marry up with the 

carrier HMS Invincible, about 2,500 troops and six Tornados now 

in the Persian Gulf.

	Cohen's call for unity came at a point when the United 

Nations was at a standoff with Iraq over Saddam Hussein's refusal 

to give unfettered access to U.N. weapons inspectors. While 

French, Russian and other international officials were making a 

last ditch effort to reach a diplomatic solution, American and 

British warships and combat aircraft were assembled in the 

Persian Gulf and more were on the way.

	A week earlier, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright 

traveled to the region to explain diplomatic efforts to resolve 

the crisis. Cohen's goal was to reassure the gulf states the U.S. 

was prepared to make a substantial military strike if no 

diplomatic solution was found. No more "pinpricks," Cohen 

stressed, but rather a "serious effort."

	U.N. Security Council members should support enforcing the 

resolutions they passed to prevent Saddam Hussein from developing 

nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, 

Cohen stressed. "Members who refuse to insist upon full 

compliance give "comfort to those who would undermine the 

process," he said.

	Saddam Hussein is interested in dividing the Security 

Council, Cohen said. "That works to his advantage." Members who 

refuse to acknowledge Hussein has breached his obligations 

undermine efforts to reach a diplomatic solution, he said. 

	There has been sufficient opportunity for a diplomatic 

solution since the crisis began last fall, Cohen noted. Although 

the United States would still like to see a diplomatic solution 

to the standoff, he said, the window of opportunity is closing.

	"Saddam Hussein holds in his hands the key to that 

[diplomatic] solution -- simply open his facilities for 

inspection as he is required to do," Cohen said. 

	Because the Iraqi leader continues to defy the United 

Nations, President Clinton may have to turn to a military option 

-- something the president is "seeking to avoid if possible, but 

will not walk away from if necessary," he said. 











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Defense Secretary William S. Cohen addresses troops at Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. On stage with the secretary Feb. 9 are, from left, Sens. John Warner of Virginia and Carl M. Levin of Michigan and Gen. Saber Al Suidian, commander of Kuwait's air forces. The two Senate Armed Services Committee members traveled with Cohen to six gulf states Feb. 8-11. Linda D. Kozaryn