DATE=12/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242829
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES IS ISSUING A FRESH WARNING TO IRAQ -- 
IT COULD FACE MILITARY ATTACK IF BAGHDAD CONTINUES TO BLOCK WORK 
BY UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  EARLIER THIS WEEK, U-N 
WEAPONS EXPERTS WERE PREVENTED FROM MAKING A SURPRISE VISIT TO AN
OFFICE USED BY IRAQ'S RULING PARTY.  WE GET THE LATEST U-S 
REACTION FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE WHO IS AT THE WHITE 
HOUSE.

TEXT:  THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS WATCHING THE SITUATION IN 
IRAQ VERY CAREFULLY AND WAITING FOR A FULL READOUT ON IRAQ'S 
COOPERATION WITH WEAPONS INSPECTORS FROM UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD 
BUTLER.  

BUT IN A BRIEFING FOR REPORTERS PRECEDING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S 
TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST, MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENT'S TOP FOREIGN 
POLICY TEAM REITERATED THE MILITARY OPTION REMAINS VERY MUCH ON 
THE TABLE IF IRAQ DOES  NOT  LIVE UP TO A PLEDGE TO RESUME FULL 
COOPERATION IN THE SEARCH FOR BANNED WEAPONS.   

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR SANDY BERGER .

                        // BERGER ACT //

         IF UNSCOM CANT DO ITS JOB, THEN WE'RE LEFT TO TAKE OUR 
         OWN ACTION AND THAT CONTINUES TO BE OUR POSITION. 
         THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT IS NOW TAKING PLACE, CHAIRMAN 
         BUTLER AND WE WILL MAKE A JUDGMENT OF WHETHER UNSCOM CAN
         DO ITS JOB. 

                          // END ACT //

IRAQ AGREED TO RESUME INSPECTIONS LAST MONTH, NARROWLY AVERTING A
U-S LED MILITARY ATTACK.  BUT BAGHDAD HAS SINCE BACKTRACKED, 
BLOCKING INSPECTORS FROM CARRYING OUT AT LEAST ONE SURPRISE 
INSPECTION AND DENYING UNSCOM PERSONNEL WEAPONS RELATED 
DOCUMENTS. (SIGNED) 

NEB/NJS/KL

11-Dec-98 10:26 AM EST (1526 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.