DATE=11/1/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241022
TITLE=IRAQ/WASHINGTON REACT (S&L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TOP MILITARY, DIPLOMATIC AND 
INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS MET SUNDAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE TO DISCUSS 
HOW TO DEAL WITH IRAQ FOLLOWING ITS DECISION TO STOP ALL 
COOPERATION WITH U-N ARMS INSPECTORS.   AS V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE 
REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, U-S OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING ALL 
OPTIONS.

TEXT: AFTER THE UNUSUAL SUNDAY GATHERING, A WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN
SAID THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS "UNITED" IN INSISTING IRAQ 
COMPLY WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS.  WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN BARRY TOIV 
ALSO SAID WASHINGTON 'WELCOMES' SATURDAY'S UNITED NATIONS ACTION 
REJECTING IRAQ'S LATEST ATTEMPT TO BLOCK U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.

THE SPOKESMAN TOLD VOA, 'ALL OPTIONS REMAIN ON THE TABLE' -- 
ADDING THAT 'WASHINGTON WILL CONSULT WITH ITS ALLIES AND OTHERS 
WITH A DIRECT STAKE IN THE SITUATION IN IRAQ.'  HE SAID PRESIDENT
CLINTON HAS BEEN BRIEFED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE SITUATION AND WILL 
MEET WITH THE NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM LATER MONDAY.  

SATURDAY, THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL DENOUNCED IRAQ FOR 
ENDING COOPERATION WITH THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION, 
UNSCOM.  THE COUNCIL CALLED IRAQ'S ACTION A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS, AND DEMANDED THAT THE INSPECTIONS RESUME.

                    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///

IRAQ SUSPENDED ALL COOPERATION WITH THE INSPECTION COMMISSION AS 
A PROTEST AGAINST THE U-N BACKED DISARMAMENT PROCESS AND ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS.

 U-N INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN IN IRAQ TRYING TO VERIFY IRAQ'S CLAIM 
THAT IT NO LONGER HAS ANY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. SUCH 
VERIFICATION IS REQUIRED BY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS APPROVED AFTER 
THE GULF WAR.

U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFFI ANNAN DEFUSED A SIMILAR CRISIS 
EARLIER THIS YEAR BY TRAVELING TO BAGHDAD FOR TALKS WITH IRAQI 
PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.

U-S DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY AMERICAN FORCES ARE NOT ON ANY UNUSUAL 
ALERT. HOWEVER SOME 29-THOUSAND U-S ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL ARE ON
STATION NEAR IRAQ, AND THEY CAN USE THEIR 15 WARSHIPS, 172 
AIRPLANES AND MANY CRUISE MISSILES TO STRIKE IRAQ IF WASHINGTON 
DECIDES TO USE MILITARY FORCE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/WFR

01-Nov-98 9:14 PM EST (0214 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.