DATE=8/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237103
TITLE=ALBRIGHT / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS SHE DOES NOT 
GIVE ORDERS TO UNITED NATIONS INSPECTORS LOOKING FOR IRAQI 
WEAPONS.  SHE WAS RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT A REPORT IN THE 
WASHINGTON POST NEWSPAPER THAT SAID SHE HAD URGED CHIEF INSPECTOR
RICHARD BUTLER TO CALL OFF A SURPRISE INSPECTION OF A SUSPECTED 
WEAPONS SITE.  LAST WEEK, BAGHDAD ENDED ITS COOPERATION WITH THE 
U-N INSPECTORS.  AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER 
REPORTS MS. ALBRIGHT REPEATED A DEMAND THAT IRAQ COOPERATE WITH 
THE INSPECTIONS.

TEXT:  THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMISSION ON IRAQ--UNSCOM--HAD
EARLIER ISSUED A STATEMENT DENYING ALLEGATIONS THAT MR. BUTLER 
HAD BEEN GIVEN AND HAD ACCEPTED DIRECTIONS ON INSPECTION 
OPERATIONS.

AT A MEETING WITH REPORTERS BEFORE A LUNCHEON WITH VISITING 
JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER MASAHIKO KOMURA, SECRETARY ALBRIGHT 
ADDED HER RESPONSE TO THE WASHINGTON POST REPORT.

SHE SAID AMERICAN POLICY HAS NOT CHANGED: IRAQ MUST COMPLY WITH 
THE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS OR FACE CONTINUED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.

                      /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///

         WE EXPECT AND WE URGE THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO TAKE 
         APPROPRIATE ACTION TO MAKE CLEAR THAT SADDAM MUST RESUME
         FULL COOPERATION WITH UNSCOM (WEAPONS INSPECTORS)--NOT 
         ONLY IN MAKING SURE THAT THE INSPECTIONS  GO FORWARD 
         BUT, I HAVE TO MAKE VERY CLEAR THAT THERE WILL BE NO 
         SANCTIONS RELIEF IF WE CAN'T HAVE INSPECTIONS GOING ON.

                         /// END ACT ///

SHE WAS ASKED WHETHER--AS THE NEWS REPORT SAID-- SHE HAD 
SUGGESTED IN TELEPHONE CALLS TO CHAIRMAN BUTLER THAT HE HALT AN 
INSPECTION.

                      /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///

         WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS--I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO MY 
         CONVERSATION. I  DO NOT -- LET ME MAKE THIS PERFECTLY 
         CLEAR -- I DO NOT TELL CHAIRMAN BUTLER WHAT TO DO.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE SECRETARY PLACED THE BLAME FOR U-N INSPECTIONS BEING STOPPED 
SQUARELY ON IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN.  AND SHE RAISED THE 
POSSIBILITY OF MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ.

                       /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///

         WE ARE NOT GOING TO PLAY SADDAM'S GAME ON HIS TERMS.  HE
         WANTS TO CREATE A U-S/IRAQ CONFRONTATION.  THIS IS AN 
         ISSUE BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS.  BUT LET ME 
         ALSO MAKE CLEAR THAT, IF NECESSARY, WE WILL USE FORCE ON
         OUR TIMETABLE IN RESPONSE TO THREATS, AT A TIME AND A 
         PLACE OF OUR CHOOSING.

                         /// END ACT ///

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT REPEATED AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR THE U-N 
INSPECTORS AND SAID SADDAM HUSSEIN MUST REVERSE HIS DECISION 
BLOCKING WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.(SIGNED)

NEB/MGB/JO

14-Aug-98 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.