DATE=11/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241606
TITLE=CLINTON/IRAQ ONITER (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

*INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CONTINUING TELEPHONE DIPLOMACY IN AN
EFFORT SHORE UP INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE USE OF FORCE  -- IF
NEEDED -- TO RESPOND TO IRAQ'S DEFIANCE OF U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTIONS. THE PROSPECT OF NEW U-S MILITARY ACTION IN THE GULF 
MEANWHILE HAS TRIGGERED RUMBLINGS OF CONCERN IN CONGRESS.      
V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT TELEPHONED SEVERAL EUROPEAN LEADERS THURSDAY 
INCLUDING GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER AS THE UNITED 
STATES CONTINUED ITS MILITARY BUILDUP IN THE GULF.

EVEN THOUGH SOME MAJOR POWERS -- NOTABLY FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA
-- HAVE EXPRESSED MISGIVINGS ABOUT AN EARLY RESORT TO FORCE, 
CLINTON SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAID WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS HEARING
IN HIS CALLS IS A UNITED INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

MR. LOCKHART STRESSED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THURSDAY'S JOINT 
STATEMENT BY EGYPT, SYRIA AND SIX MEMBERS OF THE GULF COOPERATION
COUNCIL THAT SADDAM HUSSEIN WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY 
CONSEQUENCES THAT MIGHT RESULT FROM HIS CONTINUED DEFIANCE OF THE
U-N INSPECTIONS REGIME: 

                     ///LOCKHART ACTUALITY//

         THE CLOSEST NEIGHBORS OF SADDAM HUSSEIN MADE A CLEAR 
         STATEMENT THAT HE IS IN VIOLATION AND HE MUST CHANGE HIS
         COURSE AND THAT HE ALONE -- SADDAM HUSSEIN ALONE -- IS 
         RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE. SO I
         THINK WHAT YOU HEARD IS A LONE VOICE THAT IS COMPLETELY 
         ISOLATED.

              ///END ACT///                       

MR. LOCKHART SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SET NO DEADLINE OR 
ULTIMATIM FOR IRAQ TO RESUME THE INSPECTIONS. BUT HE SAID THE 
PRESENT SITUATION CANNOT GO ON INDEFINITELY SINCE WITHOUT 
INSPECTIONS SADDAM HUSSEIN COULD RECOVER A CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL
WEAPONS CAPACITY WITHIN  MONTHS. 

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN CONSULTING 
CONGRESS ON ITS PREPARATIONS AND THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS THE 
NECESSARY AUTHORITY TO LAUNCH ATTACKS IF IT COMES TO THAT. 
HOWEVER SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ARLEN SPECTOR TOLD 
REPORTERS HERE  THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT ACT WITHOUT THE PRIOR 
APPOVAL OF LEGISLATORS: 

                     ///SPECTER ACTUALITY///

         I VOTED FOR THE USE OF FORCE IN 1991. AND AS I SAY I'M 
         PREPARED TO DO IT AGAIN. BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE THE MATTER 
         COME BEFORE THE CONGRESS. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE 
         PLANS ARE. AND I THINK THERE IS A VERY, VERY SERIOUS 
         EROSION OF CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY IN THIS MATTER. YOU 
         HAVE A CHECK AND BALANCE SO THE PRESIDENT CANNOT ACT ON 
         HIS OWN OR ACT UNILATERALLY.

                          ///END ACT// 

SENATOR SPECTER SAYS HE IS WORRIED THE ADMINISTRATION HAS GIVEN 
LITTLE THOUGHT TO THE AFTERMATH OF AN AIR CAMPAIGN INCLUDING 
IRAQI CASUALTIES AND POSSIBLE ANTI-AMERICAN BACKLASH IN THE ARAB 
WORLD.  ANOTHER SENATE REPUBLICAN, RICHARD LUGAR, SAID A LONG 
TERM STRATEGY IS NEEDED, AND SAID THE UNITED STATES MIGHT HAVE TO
CONSIDER A GROUND CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE SADDAM HUSSEIN FROM POWER.

WHILE DECLINING SPECIFICS, OFFICIALS HERE HAVE DEFINED THE U-S 
MILITARY GOALS AS IMPEDING THE IRAQI LEADER'S ABILITY TO REBUILD 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION WHICH HE WOULD USE TO THREATEN HIS 
NEIGHBORS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/WDC/WFR

12-Nov-98 5:48 PM EST (2248 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.