DATE=8/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236665
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ ONITER (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PRESIDENT CLINTON IS VOWING TO MAINTAIN SANCTIONS ON IRAQ
UNTIL BAGHDAD COMPLIES WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  V-O-A'S 
DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT:  THE PRESIDENT HAS DENOUNCED IRAQ'S DECISION TO END 
COOPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL ARMS INSPECTORS, CALLING THE 
DECISION UNACCEPTABLE.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, MR. CLINTON SAID THE IRAQI MOVE WAS A 
MISGUIDED ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN ORDER 
TO GAIN THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS, AND HE PREDICTED IT WOULD 
BACKFIRE.

MR. CLINTON VOWED THE UNITED STATES WOULD -- IN HIS WORDS -- STOP
ANY AND ALL EFFORTS TO ALTER THE SANCTIONS REGIME IF IRAQ DOES 
NOT REVERSE COURSE AND COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE INTERNATIONAL 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS.

MR. CLINTON SAID RECENT DISCOVERIES BY WEAPONS INSPECTORS OF 
DOCUMENTS ON CHEMICAL MUNITIONS AND NERVE GAS RESIDUE ON IRAQI 
WARHEADS UNDERSCORE IRAQ'S FAILURE TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS TO THE
WORLD.

THE PRESIDENT DID NOT COMMENT ON A POSSIBLE RESPONSE, BUT U-S 
OFFICIALS SAY A RANGE OF OPTIONS -- INCLUDING MILITARY ACTION -- 
COULD BE CONSIDERED. 

EARLIER, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN P-J CROWLEY RESPONDED CAUTIOUSLY 
TO THE STANDOFF.

                     // CROWLEY ACTUALITY //

         LET'S NOT RAISE THE TEMPERATURE BEFORE IT IS 
         APPROPRIATE.  WE ARE  CONSULTING WITH THE SECURITY 
         COUNCIL.  WE ARE GOING TO JUDGE IRAQ BY ITS ACTIONS, NOT
         ENTIRELY BY ITS WORDS.

                          // END ACT //

IN HIS STATEMENT, MR. CLINTON SAID THE BURDEN IS ON IRAQ TO 
DISCLOSE AND DISMANTLE ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION 
CAPABILITY, AND HE SAID THE UNITED STATES REMAINS DETERMINED TO 
SEE THAT IRAQ KEEPS THAT COMMITMENT.  (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/KBK

06-Aug-98 7:26 PM EDT (2326 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.