DATE=9/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238143
TITLE=SENATE-IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: A FORMER UNITED NATIONS ARMS INSPECTOR HAS ACCUSED THE 
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OF INTERFERING WITH HIS WORK IN IRAQ, TO 
HEAD OFF A NEW SHOWDOWN WITH PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.  SCOTT 
RITTER, WHO RESIGNED FROM THE INSPECTION TEAM LAST WEEK, 
TESTIFIED BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEES (THURSDAY).  V-O-A'S DAVID 
SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: MR. RITTER WASTED NO TIME IN RESPONDING TO SECRETARY OF 
STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT, WHO HAS SAID (EARLIER THIS WEEK) HE HAS 
NO CLUE ABOUT U-S POLICY.

                       /// RITTER ACT ///

         I DO HAVE A CLUE, IN FACT SEVERAL. ALL OF WHICH INDICATE
         OUR GOVERNMENT HAS CLEARLY EXPRESSED ITS POLICY IN ONE 
         WAY AND THEN ACTED IN ANOTHER.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. RITTER SAYS WASHINGTON KEPT THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION FROM 
CARRYING OUT ITS TASK OF INSPECTING IRAQ'S WEAPONS. THE UNITED 
STATES SENT THOUSANDS OF TROOPS TO THE GULF REGION THIS YEAR WHEN
BAGHDAD REFUSED TO LET INSPECTIONS GO FORWARD.

HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION COULD NOT LINE UP MUCH SUPPORT, FROM 
CONGRESS OR OTHER NATIONS, FOR A MILITARY STRIKE.  MR. RITTER 
SAYS OFFICIALS ARE NOW TRYING TO AVOID CONFRONTATION EVEN THOUGH 
THE THREAT HAS NOT DISAPPEARED.

                       /// RITTER ACT ///

         THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS UNDERMINED UNSCOM'S EFFORTS, 
         THROUGH INTERFERENCE AND MANIPULATION, USUALLY COMING 
         FROM THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S NATIONAL
         SECURITY TEAM, TO INCLUDE THE SECRETARY OF STATE 
         HERSELF.

                         /// END ACT ///

MS ALBRIGHT AND OTHERS DENY MR. RITTER'S ACCUSATIONS, SAYING THE 
UNITED STATES HAS BEEN THE STRONGEST SUPPORTER OF UNSCOM.  
DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN DEFENDED THE U-S STANCE, TELLING 
MR. RITTER HIS CONCERNS ARE VALID BUT ADDING THAT THE PRESIDENT'S
AIDES HAVE OTHER ISSUES TO CONSIDER.

                        /// BIDEN ACT ///

         THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY SLIGHTLY ABOVE YOUR PAY 
         GRADE, SLIGHTLY ABOVE YOUR PAY GRADE, TO DECIDE WHETHER 
         OR NOT TO TAKE THE NATION TO WAR ALONE OR TO TAKE THE 
         NATION TO WAR PART WAY OR TO TAKE THE NATION TO WAR 
         HALFWAY.  THAT'S A REAL TOUGH DECISION. THAT'S WHY THEY 
         GET PAID THE BIG BUCKS. THAT'S WHY THEY GET THE LIMOS 
         (LIMOUSINES) AND YOU DON'T.

                         /// END ACT ///

DEMOCRATS OBJECTED TO THE HEARING, ON THE GROUNDS THE 
ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CHANCE TO ANSWER MR. 
RITTER'S CHARGES.  THE SECRETARIES OF STATE AND DEFENSE ARE 
EXPECTED TO DO JUST THAT SOMETIME NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/WDC/PLM

03-Sep-98 5:25 PM EDT (2125 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.