DATE=8/5/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236586
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING A LOW-KEY RESPONSE 
TO IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE IS 
FREEZING COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS. V-O-A'S DAVID 
GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: OFFICIALS HERE SAY THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO PETULANCE AND 
BLUSTER BY SADDAM HUSSEIN, AND THEY WILL AWAIT A REPORT TO THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL BY CHIEF WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER BEFORE
CONSIDERING ANY RESPONSE TO THE LATEST MOVE BY BAGHDAD.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN P-J CROWLEY SAID THE UNITED STATES WILL 
WATCH IRAQI ACTIONS, NOT WORDS. HE CAST THE ANNOUNCEMENT AS PART 
OF A LONG-RUNNING EFFORT BY THE IRAQI LEADER TO ESCAPE THE 
SANCTIONS IN PLACE FOR EIGHT YEARS BECAUSE OF HIS REFUSAL TO GIVE
UP WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION:

                     ///CROWLEY ACTUALITY///

         THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF A GAME OF CAT-AND-MOUSE THAT 
         SADDAM HAS PLAYED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, WE'RE NOT 
         WILLING TO PLAY THIS GAME. WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE 
         PRESSURE ON SADDAM. AT THE END OF THE DAY, HE KNOWS WHAT
         HE NEEDS TO DO TO GET SANCTIONS RELIEF: THAT IS TO FULLY
         COMPLY WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE 
         UNITED NATIONS, TO FULLY COMPLY WITH ALL RELEVANT 
         SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. THE WAY FORWARD IS CLEAR 
         FOR HIM. 

                       ///END ACTUALITY///

SPOKESMAN CROWLEY SAID IT WAS PREMATURE TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE 
MILITARY RESPONSE ALONG THE LINES OF THE GULF BUILDUP THAT 
FOLLOWED IRAQ'S EXPULSION OF U-N INSPECTORS EARLIER THIS YEAR. 

HE DOWN-PLAYED THE NOTION SADDAM HUSSEIN MAY HAVE ACTED TO TAKE 
ADVANTAGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE SEX SCANDAL. BUT HE ALSO SAID 
PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BEEN EXTREMELY ACTIVE IN FOREIGN POLICY 
DESPITE HIS DIFFICULTIES, AND IS READY TO DO "WHATEVER IS 
REQUIRED" IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENT SITUATION. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/JO



05-Aug-98 4:04 PM EDT (2004 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.