DATE=11/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241758
TITLE=BRITAIN / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=PAUL FRANCUCH
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS GIVEN DETAILS OF 
THE BRITISH AND U-S PLANS TO STRIKE IRAQ THIS PAST SATURDAY IF 
SADDAM HUSSEIN'S GOVERNMENT FAILED TO ALLOW U-N WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS TO RESUME THEIR WORK.  THE BRITISH LEADER ALSO TOLD 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS  (MONDAY)  THAT BRITAIN HAS  NOT  LET DOWN 
ITS GUARD OVER IRAQ, AS V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS.

TEXT:  PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAYS THE AIR ATTACK ON THE IRAQIS WAS
TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE MIDDAY SATURDAY, LONDON TIME, BUT WAS 
CANCELLED ONLY HOURS BEFOREHAND, WHEN IRAQ BACKED DOWN IN THE 
FACE OF MILITARY CONFRONTATION.  THE BRITISH LEADER SAYS THAT 
THERE WAS  NO  CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE THAN THE THREATENED USE OF 
FORCE, ADDING THAT THE THREAT STILL HOLDS.

                       ///  BLAIR ACT  ///

         AS EVER, WE DO  NOT RELY ON THE GOOD FAITH OF SADDAM 
         HUSSEIN.  HE HAS NONE.  BUT WE DO NOTE THAT UNDER THREAT
         OF FORCE, WE CAN MAKE HIM MOVE.  WE WILL BE WATCHING 
         WITH EXTREME CARE AND A HIGH DEGREE OF SKEPTICISM.  

         ///  OPT  ///   OUR FORCES REMAIN IN PLACE AND ON HIGH 
         ALERT.  WE AND THE AMERICANS REMAIN READY, WILLING AND 
         ABLE TO GO BACK TO THE USE OF FORCE AT ANY TIME.   ///  
         END OPT  ///

                        ///  END ACT  ///

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR TOLD THE BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS HIS 
GOVERNMENT IS WATCHING THE ACTIONS OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S 
GOVERNMENT, AND GAVE A BLUNT WARNING TO THE IRAQI LEADER.

                   ///  SECOND BLAIR ACT  ///

         IF HE AGAIN OBSTRUCTS THE WORK OF THE INSPECTORS, THEN 
         WE STRIKE.  NO  WARNINGS,  NO WRANGLING,  NO  
         NEGOTIATIONS,  NO  LAST MINUTE LETTERS.  THE NEXT 
         WITHDRAWAL OF COOPERATION AND HE WILL BE HIT.

                        ///  END ACT  ///

U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME WORKING IN IRAQ ON 
TUESDAY.  IRAQ STOPPED COOPERATING WITH THE INSPECTORS OCTOBER 
31ST, DEMANDING AN END TO THE U-N SANCTIONS IN PLACE SINCE IRAQ'S
INVASION OF KUWAIT IN 1990.  (SIGNED)

NEB/PCF/JWH

16-Nov-98 12:06 PM EST (1706 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.