DATE=10/8/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-239923
TITLE=CONGRESS IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-S CONGRESS HAS VOTED TO SPEND NEARLY 100-MILLION 
DOLLARS TO HELP THE IRAQI OPPOSITION TRY TO BRING DOWN PRESIDENT 
SADDAM HUSSEIN.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS THE MEASURE NOW GOES 
TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT:  THE SENATE APPROVED THE PROPOSAL WITHOUT DISSENT 
(WEDNESDAY NIGHT) AFTER IT OVERWHELMINGLY CLEARED THE HOUSE (360 
TO 38) TWO DAYS EARLIER.  THE STRONG SUPPORT REFLECTS A 
WIDESPREAD BIPARTISAN FRUSTRATION AT PRESIDENT SADDAM'S DEFIANCE 
OF THE UNITED STATES AND WORLD COMMUNITY.

THE (LEGISLATIVE) PACKAGE WOULD AUTHORIZE UP TO 97-MILLION 
DOLLARS IN MILITARY AID TO IRAQI RESISTANCE FORCES, WITH 
TWO-MILLION MORE FOR BROADCASTS BY "RADIO FREE IRAQ."  THE BILL 
ALLOWS PRESIDENT CLINTON TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ARM THE REBEL 
ORGANIZATIONS AND WHICH ONES TO HELP.   HOWEVER THE PLAN'S INTENT
IS TO GIVE DIRECT, OVERT AMERICAN BACKING TO THOSE SEEKING TO 
TOPPLE THE GOVERNMENT IN BAGHDAD.

THE MEASURE'S SUPPORTERS SAY THERE IS  NO  OTHER OPTION BECAUSE 
IRAQ WILL THREATEN THE GULF AND THE WORLD AS LONG AS PRESIDENT 
SADDAM RETAINS POWER.  WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT HOPES TO 
SEE A NEW LEADER, OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO OPENLY CALL OR
WORK FOR THE PRESIDENT'S OVERTHROW.  DURING THIS WEEK'S 
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE, SOME LAWMAKERS ALSO RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT 
THE PROBLEM OF UNIFYING DOZENS OF OPPOSITION GROUPS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/LTD/JO

08-Oct-98 11:20 AM EDT (1520 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.