DATE=12/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243118
TITLE=CONGRESS/IRAQ/IMPEACHMENT WRAP (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-S ATTACK ON IRAQ HAS PUSHED BACK THE LOOMING VOTE 
IN THE HOUSE (OF REPRESENTATIVES) ON IMPEACHING PRESIDENT CLINTON
(FOR THE MONICA LEWINSKY AFFAIR).  WHILE SOME CONGRESSIONAL 
LEADERS SUPPORT MR. CLINTON'S DECISION TO STRIKE, OTHERS OPENLY 
QUESTION HIS TIMING.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT:  OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS HAVE DECIDED IT WOULD  NOT  BE WISE 
TO TAKE UP IMPEACHMENT AT A TIME WHEN AMERICAN FORCES ARE IN 
ACTION OVERSEAS.  AFTER AN APPARENTLY LIVELY CLOSED-DOOR 
REPUBLICAN MEETING, INCOMING SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BOB LIVINGSTON 
ANNOUNCED A POSTPONEMENT IN THURSDAY'S SCHEDULED DEBATE.

                     /// LIVINGSTON ACT ///

         WE THINK THAT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) THE ONLY THING THAT WE
         NEED DO IS GO FORWARD AND PASS A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT 
         FOR OUR TROOPS.  WE'RE GOING TO DEFER ACTION TOMORROW ON
         ANY OTHER LEGISLATION. 

                         /// END ACT ///

MANY REPUBLICANS DRAW A LINE BETWEEN SUPPORTING THE TROOPS AND 
BACKING THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY.  THEY ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE 
TIMING OF THIS ATTACK, SUGGESTING MR. CLINTON HOPED TO DELAY A 
VOTE ON IMPEACHMENT OR BOOST HIS STANDING WITH THE PUBLIC.

THE DOUBTERS INCLUDE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT, WHO SAYS 
HE CAN  NOT  SUPPORT THIS ACTION, BECAUSE TIMING AND POLICY ARE 
BOTH SUSPECT.  BUT OTHERS SAY THE PRESIDENT ACTED CORRECTLY, 
INCLUDING THE NEXT CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES 
COMMITTEE, JOHN WARNER.

                       /// WARNER ACT ///

         THIS STRIKE WAS NEEDED IF SADDAM HUSSEIN CONTINUED TO 
         VIOLATE THE RULE OF LAW AS ESTABLISHED BY THE CONSORTIUM
         OF NATIONS AND THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE SECURITY 
         COUNCIL.  AND HE KNEW HE WAS VIOLATING IT AND HE KNEW 
         THE CONDITIONS OF THAT VIOLATION AND THEREFORE HE 
         BROUGHT THIS UPON HIMSELF.

                         /// END ACT ///

MEANWHILE, DEMOCRATS ARE STANDING BEHIND MR. CLINTON'S DECISION 
TO STRIKE AND STRIKE NOW.  SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN SAYS THE TIMING 
HAD  NOTHING  TO DO WITH IMPEACHMENT.

                        /// BIDEN ACT ///

         THE TIMING WAS DICTATED BY SADDAM HUSSEIN, THE UNITED 
         NATIONS AND THE (MUSLIM) HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN.  THE 
         CONFLUENCE OF THESE EVENTS HAS COME ABOUT IN A WAY THAT 
         THE PRESIDENT HAD ONLY ONE WINDOW, ONE WINDOW, IN WHICH 
         TO ACT.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE IRAQI SITUATION GIVES MR. CLINTON A LITTLE MORE TIME BEFORE 
THE IMPEACHMENT DEBATE, BUT MAY  NOT  CHANGE THE OUTCOME IN THE 
HOUSE.  THE POOL OF MODERATE REPUBLICANS WHO MIGHT SIDE WITH THE 
PRESIDENT IS STILL SHRINKING.  SEVERAL MORE OF THESE LAWMAKERS 
HAVE NOW SAID THEY FAVOR IMPEACHMENT, LIKE CONGRESSMAN BOB NEY OF
(THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF) OHIO.

                         /// NEY ACT ///

         HE HAS LED THE U-S HOUSE TO THE PATH IT MUST NOW TAKE.  
         VERY SIMPLY, THE HIGHEST LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE 
         LAND HAS COMMITTED FELONIES [SERIOUS OFFENSES], WHICH BY
         THEIR VERY NATURE CONSTITUTE HIGH CRIMES WORTHY OF 
         IMPEACHMENT.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. CLINTON IS ACCUSED OF PERJURY, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE AND 
ABUSE OF POWER.  IF HE IS IMPEACHED THE CASE GOES TO THE SENATE 
FOR TRIAL.  REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAY THE VOTE COULD COME IN THE 
NEXT FEW DAYS.  ALL SIGNS STILL SUGGEST IT WILL GO AGAINST MR. 
CLINTON.   (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/ENE/WTW

16-Dec-98 9:38 PM EST (0238 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.