DATE=11/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241198
TITLE=U-S/IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
 

INTRO:  U-S OFFICIALS ARE CONTINUING THEIR CONSULTATIONS WITH 
ALLIES ABOUT IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN'S DEFIANCE OF U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AGAINST THE 
IRAQI ACTION IS BEING CONSIDERED.  BUT, CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER 
REPORTS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS NO FURTHER AUTHORIZATION IS 
NEEDED BEFORE MILITARY FORCE CAN BE USED AGAINST IRAQ.

TEXT:  DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AND UNDERSECRETARY OF 
STATE THOMAS PICKERING HELD TALKS IN THE GULF REGION ABOUT THE 
IRAQI DEFIANCE.  STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE 
UNITED STATES IS CONFIDENT IT WILL HAVE THE BACKING IT NEEDS TO 
TAKE -- WHAT HE CALLED -- APPROPRIATE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE 
UNITED NATIONS.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING A NEW RESOLUTION ON THE IRAQI
DEFIANCE OF U-N INSPECTIONS.

MR. RUBIN SAID THE UNITED STATES IS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER CLEAR 
STATEMENT IRAQ IS IN VIOLATION OF U-N RESOLUTIONS.  BUT HE SAYS 
NEW AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE IS NOT NEEDED.

                        /// RUBIN ACT ///

 WHAT WE ARE SEEKING IS A CLEAR MESSAGE OF OPPOSITION TO SADDAM 
HUSSEIN'S ACTION.  WE THINK SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION FOR 
THE USE OF FORCE ALREADY EXISTS AND WE SEE NO NEED TO HAVE THAT 
REITERATED OR GO THROUGH THE EXERCISE OF TRYING TO GET IT 
REITERATED.  SO WITH RESPECT TO THE RESOLUTION, IT IS MY 
UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS NOT BEING APPROACHED IN A CONTROVERSIAL 
WAY BY ANYBODY, AND THAT IT IS DESIGNED TO BE A VERY STRONG 
REITERATION OF THE COUNCIL'S OPPOSITION TO SADDAM'S ACTION.  AND 
MAKING CLEAR THAT IT IS A FLAGRANT, SERIOUS VIOLATION OF SECURITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS TO STOP COOPERATING WITH UNSCOM [WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS].

                         /// END ACT ///

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IRAQ'S DECISION TO ALLOW  
MAINTENANCE OF U-N INSPECTION CAMERAS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR 
FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE INSPECTION REGIME.

MR. RUBIN DECLINED TO GIVE A TIME-FRAME FOR IRAQI COMPLIANCE 
BEFORE MILITARY ACTION MAY BE TAKEN, BUT HE REPEATED SECRETARY OF
STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION AS -- 
GRAVE..   (SIGNED)

NEB/MGB/RAE

04-Nov-98 2:51 PM EST (1951 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.