DATE=11/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241116
TITLE=U-S/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES IS CONTINUING CONSULTATIONS WITH OTHER 
COUNTRIES ABOUT HOW TO RESPOND TO IRAQ'S CONTINUED DEFIANCE OF 
UNITED NATIONS WEAPON INSPECTIONS. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE 
ALBRIGHT SAID ALL OPTIONS--INCLUDING MILITARY ACTION--ARE ON THE 
TABLE.  V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT:  SECRETARY ALBRIGHT DESCRIBED THE SITUATION AS GRAVE AND 
SAID SHE HAS BEEN CONSULTING BY TELEPHONE WITH U-S ALLIES.  IN 
ADDITION, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN AND UNDERSECRETARY 
OF STATE THOMAS PICKERING ARE IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR 
CONSULTATIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA, KUWAIT, TURKEY AND UNSPECIFIED 
COUNTRIES IN EUROPE.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE WITH VISITING GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER 
JOSCHKA FISCHER, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS 
CONSIDERING A RESOLUTION TO PUT INTO FORMAL LANGUAGE A STRONG 
MESSAGE GIVEN IRAQ'S SADDAM HUSSEIN ON SATURDAY.

                      /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///

         I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE PRACTICALLY NON STOP IN THE 
         LAST 48 HOURS, ALSO CONSULTING ABOUT HOW WE DEAL WITH 
         THIS SITUATION.  AT THE UNITED NATIONS (SECURITY 
         COUNCIL) WHERE THE U-S IS IN THE PRESIDENCY NOW, THERE 
         IS CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION WHICH WOULD PUT INTO 
         RESOLUTION LANGUAGE, THE VERY STRONG WORDS THAT WERE 
         EXPRESSED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS REPRESENTED 
         BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL.  IN WHICH IT WAS MADE CLEAR 
         THAT THE SECURITY COUNCIL CONSIDERED WHAT HUSSEIN HAD 
         DONE AS A FLAGRANT VIOLATION.

                         /// END ACT ///

MS. ALBRIGHT SAID ALL OPTIONS--INCLUDING MILITARY ACTION--REMAIN 
ON THE TABLE (ARE POSSIBLE).

FOR HIS PART, THE NEW GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER--A MEMBER OF THE 
GREEN PARTY--EMPHASIZED, THROUGH AN INTERPRETER--THE NEED TO 
ISOLATE SADDAM HUSSEIN.

                 /// FISCHER INTERPRETER ACT ///

         IT IS NOT ONLY THAT ALL OPTIONS ARE OPEN, BUT WHAT IS 
         NEEDED NOW IS A VERY CLEAR-CUT DIPLOMATIC EFFORT.  WE 
         HAVE TO PUT IN ALL EFFORTS IN ORDER TO ISOLATE SADDAM 
         HUSSEIN AND I THINK PERSONALLY WHAT IS NEEDED IS A NEW 
         RESOLUTION BY THE UNITED NATIONS THAT SETS OUT A 
         CLEAR-CUT POSITION ON THAT.

                         /// END ACT ///

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT SAID THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THERE IS 
AUTHORITY TO USE MILITARY FORCE IF NECESSARY TO ENFORCE SECURITY 
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS THAT DEMAND IRAQ DISMANTLE CHEMICAL, 
BIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS FACILITIES. (SIGNED)

NEB/MGB/GE

03-Nov-98 3:33 PM EST (2033 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.