[EXCERPT] U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing -- 11 February 1998 -- IRAQ Latest Proposal by Deputy PM Tariq Aziz /
Procedural Gimmick / Excludes UNSCOM & Limits Inspections and Monitoring
Ultimatum Conveyed by Russia / No Timeline / US Message on Deadline
Update on Oil-for-Food Program / US Position / Security Council Action Possession of Scud Missiles, Chemical & Biological Weapons / UNSCOM Aim to Determine Possession Uncovering & Destroying WMD / Use of Diplomacy / Military Objectives / Aftermath of
Military Strike / Knowledge of Reconstituted Weapons Authority for US to Act / Special Situation of Iraq
CLINTON/IRAQ Voice of America 11 February 1998 --AZIZ SAID HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD ALLOW EXPERTS NAMED BY U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI
ANNAN TO VISIT EIGHT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACES AND CONDUCT
WHATEVER TESTS ARE DEEMED APPROPRIATE. BUT HE SAID THOSE SITES
SHOULD REMAIN OFF LIMITS TO INSPECTORS OF THE U-N COMMISSION.
COHEN / GULF Voice of America 11 February 1998 -- SECRETARY COHEN DID NOT WIN ANY OVERT ARAB SUPPORT FOR A U-S MILITARY STRIKE
AGAINST IRAQ. AND KEY U-S ALLIES LIKE SAUDI ARABIA AND EGYPT
VOICED PUBLIC OPPOSITION.
IRAQ / ANTI-US COALITION Voice of America 11 February 1998 -- THE RELUCTANCE OF MOST COUNTRIES TO GO ALONG WITH
A MILITARY ATTACK ON IRAQ HAS LED ONE SCHOLAR TO FORESEE A
COALITION FORMING AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.
ISRAEL / IRAQ Voice of America 11 February 1998 -- IRAQ IS SIGNALING THAT IT WILL NOT ATTACK
ISRAEL, EVEN IF THE UNITED STATES LEADS AN OFFENSIVE AGAINST
IRAQ.
