DATE=11/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241524
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

*INTRO:  PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ISSUED A FORCEFUL RESPONSE TO 
IRAQ'S DEFIANCE OF U-N DISARMAMENT RESOLUTIONS, WARNING THE 
BAGHDAD GOVERNMENT IT FACES DIRE CONSEQUENCES UNLESS U-N 
INSPECTORS ARE ALLOWED TO RETURN.  MR. CLINTON SPOKE OUT TODAY 
(WEDNESDAY) AS THE PENTAGON STEPPED UP PREPARATIONS FOR THE 
POSSIBLE USE OF FORCE AGAINST IRAQI TARGETS.  V-O-A'S DEBORAH 
TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT:  THE LATEST CRISIS OVER IRAQ WAS PROMPTED BY IRAQI LEADER 
SADDAM HUSSEIN'S OCTOBER 31ST DECISION TO HALT U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTIONS, UNLESS U-N SANCTIONS AGAINST HIS COUNTRY ARE LIFTED.

ON WEDNESDAY, MR. CLINTON ISSUED HIS MOST FORCEFUL RESPONSE TO 
THE IRAQI MOVE -- WHICH HAS BEEN CONDEMNED BY THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL:

                    /// FIRST CLINTON ACT ///

         IF SADDAM HUSSEIN IS REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT WANTING 
         SANCTIONS LIFTED, THERE IS AN EASY WAY TO DEMONSTRATE 
         THAT:  LET UNSCOM DO ITS JOB WITHOUT INTERFERENCE.  
         FULLY COMPLY.

                         /// END ACT ///

IN A VETERAN'S DAY SPEECH AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, NEAR 
WASHINGTON, MR. CLINTON TALKED OF DIRE CONSEQUENCES IF U-N 
INSPECTORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RETURN TO IRAQ:

                   /// SECOND CLINTON ACT ///

         THAT WOULD OPEN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR IRAQ TO REBUILD ITS 
         ARSENAL OF WEAPONS AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS IN MONTHS -- I 
         SAY AGAIN: IN MONTHS,  NOT  YEARS.  A FAILURE TO RESPOND
         WOULD EMBOLDEN SADDAM TO ACT RECKLESSLY, SIGNALING TO 
         HIM HE CAN WITH IMPUNITY DEVELOP THESE WEAPONS OF MASS 
         DESTRUCTION OR THREATEN HIS NEIGHBORS.  

                         /// END ACT ///

THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE DEMISE OF THE INSPECTION SYSTEM WOULD 
PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE CREDIBILITY OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY
COUNCIL, AND ITS ABILITY TO ACT AS A FORCE FOR PROMOTING 
INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY.

ALTHOUGH U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE  NO  FINAL 
DECISION ON THE USE OF FORCE AGAINST BAGHDAD, WASHINGTON IS 
STEPPING UP  PREPARATIONS FOR SUCH ACTION. 

ANOTHER AIRCRAFT CARRIER IS ON ITS WAY TO THE GULF, AND U-S 
OFFICIALS SAY ORDERS HAVE BEEN DRAFTED TO SEND HUNDREDS MORE 
WARPLANES AND THOUSANDS OF GROUND TROOPS TO THE REGION

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL HENRY 
SHELTON, SAYS ANY AIRSTRIKES AGAINST IRAQ WOULD COME WITHOUT 
WARNING.   (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/WTW

11-Nov-98 1:27 PM EST (1827 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.