DATE=12/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243113
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ ATTACK (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS DEFENDED HIS DECISION -- IN A 
TELEVISED ADDRESS TO THE NATION -- TO USE FORCE AGAINST IRAQ, AND
INDICATED THE TIMING OF THE ACTION WAS NOT LINKED TO THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES IMPEACHMENT VOTE AGAINST HIM THAT WAS SCHEDULED 
FOR THURSDAY.  V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

 TEXT:  PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE DECIDED TO STRIKE IRAQ, WITH 
SUPPORT OF BRITISH FORCES -- AFTER CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR 
RICHARD BUTLER CONCLUDED IN A REPORT TO SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI 
ANNAN THAT BAGHDAD HAD FAILED TO COOPERATE WITH THE INSPECTION 
PROCESS.

                    // CLINTON ACTUALITY //  

         I HAVE ORDERED A STRONG, SUSTAINED SERIES OF AIR STRIKES
         AGAINST IRAQ.  THEY ARE DESIGNED TO DEGRADE SADDAM'S 
         CAPACITY TO DEVELOP AND DELIVER WEAPONS OF MASS 
         DESTRUCTION, AND DEGRADE HIS ABILITY TO THREATEN HIS 
         NEIGHBORS.  AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE DELIVERING A 
         POWERFUL MESSAGE TO SADDAM, IF YOU ACT RECKLESSLY, YOU 
         WILL PAY A HEAVY PRICE.  

                          // END ACT // 

MR. CLINTON SAYS THE CONCLUSIONS OF MR. BUTLER'S REPORT TO MR. 
ANNAN ARE -- IN HIS WORDS -- 'STARK, SOBERING, AND PROFOUNDLY 
DISTURBING'.   HE OFFERED EXAMPLES OF IRAQ BLOCKING INSPECTORS 
FROM SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES AND RESTRICTING THEIR ABILITY TO 
OBTAIN EVIDENCE. 

AS HE PUT IT, INSTEAD OF INSPECTORS DISARMING SADDAM, SADDAM HAS 
DISARMED THE INSPECTORS.

BUT SOME REPUBLICAN CRITICS ON CAPITOL HILL ARE QUESTIONING THE  
TIMING OF THE MILITARY STRIKES, COMING ON THE EVE OF A SCHEDULED 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IMPEACHMENT VOTE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT 
--   A VOTE THAT HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED FOR AT LEAST A DAY.  

MR. CLINTON SOUGHT TO ARGUE THE ACTION WAS NOT LINKED TO THE 
VOTE. RATHER, HE SAID, THE SWIFT MOVE AGAINST IRAQ WAS DONE TO 
MAINTAIN AN ELEMENT OF SURPRISE -- TO GIVE SADDAM LITTLE TIME TO 
DISPERSE HIS FORCES AND PROTECT HIS WEAPONS.

HE ADDED HE WANTED TO AVOID MILITARY ACTION DURING THE UPCOMING 
MUSLIM HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN.  STRIKING THEN, HE SAID, WOULD HAVE
OFFENDED ARABS AND HURT PROGRESS MADE IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE 
PROCESS.

IN A MESSAGE TO THE IRAQI LEADER, MR. CLINTON SAID HE REMAINS 
FOCUSED ON IRAQI ACTIONS, AND WOULD NOT BE DISTRACTED BY 
IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS.

                     // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

         SADDAM HUSSEIN AND THE OTHER ENEMIES OF PEACE MAY HAVE 
         THOUGHT THE SERIOUS DEBATE CURRENTLY BEFORE THE HOUSE OF
         REPRESENTATIVES WOULD DESTRACT AMERICANS, OR WEAKEN OUR 
         RESOLVE TO FACE HIM DOWN.  BUT ONCE MORE THE UNITED 
         STATE HAS PROVEN THAT ALTHOUGH WE ARE NEVER EAGER TO USE
         FORCE, WHEN WE MUST ACT IN AMERICA'S VITAL INTERESTS, WE
         WILL DO SO.

                           // END ACT //

MR. CLINTON WARNED THERE WILL BE UNINTENDED IRAQI CASUALTIES AS A
RESULT OF THE STRIKES ON IRAQ, BUT HE SAID THE COST OF ACTION 
MUST BE WEIGHED AGAINST THE PRICE OF INACTION -- WHICH HE SAID 
WOULD BE THE REBUILDING AND USE OF IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION.

HE ALSO WARNED IRAQ THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD RESPOND 
FORCEFULLY IF IT DECIDES ON RETALIATORY STRIKES AGAINST ITS 
NEIGHBORS.

IN THE MEANTIME, HE VOWED WASHINGTON WOULD WORK TO MAINTAIN 
SANCTIONS  AGAINST BAGHDAD AND WOULD STRENGTHEN TIES WITH IRAQI 
OPPOSITION TO TRY TO EFFECT A CHANGE IN IRAQI LEADERSHIP.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/WFR

16-Dec-98 8:23 PM EST (0123 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.