DATE=11/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241687
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ ONITER  (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT REMAINS 'POISED' FOR MILITARY 
ACTION AGAINST IRAQ, AFTER HAVING REJECTED AS 'UNACCEPTABLE' AN 
IRAQI PLEDGE TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  
V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.               

TEXT:  U-S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SANDY BERGER SAYS A MESSAGE 
FROM THE IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TO U-N SECRETARY GENERAL 
KOFI ANNAN SAYING IRAQ IS PREPARED TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTORS IS 'UNACCEPTABLE', BECAUSE HE SAYS IT IS 
NEITHER UNEQUIVOCAL NOR UNCONDITIONAL.

                        // BERGER ACTUALITY /

         GIVEN HIS LONG HISTORY OF AV OIDING HIS OBLIGATIONS, WE 
         HAVE EVERY REASON TO BE SKEPTICAL, BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN 
         THIS BEFORE, BROKEN AND UNFULFILLED PROMISES, SO-CALLED 
         POSITIVE ANSWERS THAT TURN NEGATIVE OVER TIME.

                                 // END ACT //

MR. BERGER SUGGESTED THE ONLY WAY FOR IRAQ TO AVOID U-S MILITARY 
STRIKES IS TO ISSUE A CLEAR, UNEQUIVOCAL STATEMENT THAT BAGHDAD 
WILL COMPLY WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS -- WITH NO CONDITIONS.

HE SPOKE AS A SUBSTANTIAL U-S MILITARY BUILDUP CONTINUED IN THE 
PERSIAN GULF.  NEWS REPORTS SAID U-S CRUISE MISSILE ATTACKS 
AGAINST BAGHDAD WERE IMMINENT SATURDAY AS IRAQ MADE ITS LATEST 
OVERTURE -- REPORTS MR. BERGER DID NOT DISPUTE.

                      // BERGER ACTUALITY //

         WE WERE POISED TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION, AND WE REMAIN 
         POISED TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION.

                             // END ACT //

PRESIDENT CLINTON CANCELLED HIS SCHEDULED TRIP TO MALAYSIA FOR AN
ASIAN ECONOMIC SUMMIT TO DEAL WITH THE CRISIS WITH IRAQ.  MR. 
CLINTON SENT VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE IN HIS PLACE.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS MR. CLINTON HOPES TO MAKE
HIS SCHEDULED VISITS TO JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND THE U-S TERRITORY 
OF GUAM LATER IN THE WEEK.   (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/SD

14-Nov-98 8:39 PM EST (0139 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.