DATE=11/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241414
TITLE=CLINTON/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS GIVING HIS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISERS
A FEW MORE DAYS TO EXAMINE DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY OPTIONS BEFORE
DECIDING WHETHER TO USE FORCE IN THE CURRENT STANDOFF WITH IRAQ 
OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM 
THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE REVIEW REQUESTED BY MR. CLINTON DURING A MEETING SUNDAY
AT THE CAMP DAVID PRESIDENTIAL RETREAT HAS DIMINISHED SPECULATION
THAT SOME SORT OF MILITARY MOVE AGAINST IRAQ IS IMMINENT.

BUT CLINTON SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART MADE CLEAR THE UNITED STATES 
AND ITS ALLIES DO NOT INTEND TO STAND BY INDEFINITELY WHILE IRAQI
LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN CONTINUES TO DEFY THE U-N INSPECTIONS 
REGIME:

                    ///LOCKHART ACTUALITY///

         I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO TIME-LINES HERE. BUT OUR 
         OBJECTIVE IS THE  SAME: WHICH IS TO HAVE SADDAM HUSSEIN 
         REVERSE COURSE IN ALLOWING UNSCOM INSPECTORS TO DO THEIR
         WORK. HE KNOWS WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO. AND WHILE I WON'T 
         GET INTO A TIME-LINE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS SAID 
         THAT THIS CURRENT STANDOFF AND FLAGRANT VIOLATION AS 
         (U-N SECRETARY GENERAL) KOFI ANNAN CALLS IT CANNOT GO ON
         INDEFINITELY.

                          ///END ACT///

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS INSIST THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES 
HAVE THE NECESSARY AUTHORITY THEY NEED TO USE FORCE TO PROMPT 
IRAQI COMPLIANCE WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS. PENTAGON OFFICIALS ARE 
UNDERSTOOD TO HAVE DRAFTED OPTIONS THAT INCLUDE A SHORT AND SWIFT
STRIKE USING FORCES ALREADY IN THE GULF, OR A MORE EXTENSIVE 
CAMPAIGN THAT WOULD INVOLVED MOVING ADDITIONAL ASSETS TO THE 
AREA.

BUT SOME ANALYSTS CONTEND A MILITARY RESPONSE MIGHT NOT PROD 
SADDAM HUSSEIN INTO RESUMING COOPERATION WITH THE INSPECTORS AND 
IN FACT COULD SPELL THE END TO THE SEVEN-YEAR EFFORT BY THE U-N 
TO ELIMINATE IRAQ'S MISSILE, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS 
PROGRAMS.

THE CAMP DAVID MEETING INCLUDED DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN, 
WHO HAD JUST CONCLUDED CONSULTATIONS IN SEVERAL ARAB STATES AND 
TURKEY AND NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER WHO HAD 
MEETINGS SATURDAY WITH BRITISH AND FRENCH OFFICIALS.

THE TIMETABLE FOR POSSIBLE ACTION IRAQ COULD BE AFFECTED BY 
TRAVEL PLANS OF THE PRESIDENT, WHO IS TO BEGIN A TEN-DAY ASIAN 
TRIP AT THE END OF THE WEEK. THE START OF THE TRIP HAS BEEN 
PUSHED BACK BY ONE DAY, TO SATURDAY.  (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/TMD/PT

09-Nov-98 3:39 PM EST (2039 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.