DATE=11/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242116
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IT'S BACK TO MORE WARNINGS TO IRAQ FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. 
THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS IRAQ HAS RESPONDED INQADEQUATELY 
TO UNITED NATIONS INSPECTORS' REQUESTS FOR WEAPONS-RELATED 
DOCUMENTS.  AT THIS POINT, U-S OFFICIALS SEEM WILLING TO TEST 
BAGHDAD'S OVERALL COMPLIANCE WITH U-N DEMANDS BEFORE MAKING NEW 
THREATS OF MILITARY STRIKES.  CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS 
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT:   IRAQ IS AGAIN REFUSING TO HAND OVER DOCUMENTS THAT U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS WANT, SAYING THEY DO  NOT  EXIST, OR THAT THEY
ARE  NOT  RELEVANT TO THE INSPECTORS' WORK. 

EARLIER THIS MONTH -- IN THE HOURS AFTER THE UNITED STATES CALLED
OFF PLANS TO BOMB IRAQ -- PRESIDENT CLINTON MADE CLEAR THAT AS 
PART OF BAGHDAD'S RENEWED DECISION TO COOPERATE WITH INSPECTIONS,
IT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ALL WEAPONS-RELATED DOCUMENTS.  
THAT ISN'T HAPPENING.

FACED WITH ANOTHER ACT OF NON-COMPLIANCE, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S 
SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART REFUSED TO TELL REPORTERS WHAT IRAQI 
ACTIONS WOULD TRIGGER A U-S MILITARY RESPONSE.  INSTEAD, HE 
INDICATED THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO REVIEW BAGHDAD'S PLEDGE TO 
COOPERATE WITH U-N ARMS INSPECTORS IN A RANGE OF AREAS -- BEYOND 
THE ISSUE OF HANDING OVER DOCUMENTS.   

                      /// LOCKHART ACT ///

         THERE ARE A SERIES OF ISSUES THAT IRAQ IS GOING TO HAVE 
         TO AFFIRMATIVELY PROVE THEY WILL COOPERATE WITH IN ORDER
         TO MAKE UNSCOM [THE U-N DISARMAMENT COMMISSION] 
         EFFECTIVE.  AND IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE 
         THAT, THEN WE CERTAINLY WILL HAVE TO MAKE A JUDGMENT AND
         IT CERTAINLY LEAVES OPEN THE OPTION OF A MILITARY 
         STRIKE. 

                         /// END ACT ///

EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN  NO  NEW REPORTS OF WEAPONS 
INSPECTORS BEING BLOCKED FROM SPECIFIC SITES IN IRAQ, SPOKESMAN 
LOCKHART SAYS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION REMAINS VERY SKEPTICAL 
OF IRAQ'S INTENTIONS.  STILL IN THE PERSIAN GULF IS SUFFICIENT 
U-S MILITARY POWER TO CARRY OUT A SUDDEN STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ, IF 
THE PRESIDENT DECIDES TO ORDER ONE.   (SIGNED)

NEB/NJS/WTW

24-Nov-98 6:15 PM EST (2315 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.