DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243148
TITLE=BRITAIN/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   BRITAIN WILL PROVIDE MILITARY SUPPORT FOR "OPERATION 
DESERT FOX" WITH ITS OWN FIGHTER JETS.  BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY THE
MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ AIMS TO DEGRADE AND DIMINISH SADDAM 
HUSSEIN'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION PROGRAM. CORRESPONDENT 
LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT:   BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON SAYS THE AIR 
STRIKES WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE MISSION'S OBJECTIVE OF WEAKENING 
SADDAM HUSSEIN'S MILITARY THREAT IS ACHIEVED.  

                      /// ROBERTSON ACT ///

         THIS IS NOT AN ARGUMENT JUST ABOUT ACCESS OF INSPECTORS 
         TO SENSITIVE SITES IN IRAQ.  IT IS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT 
         THIS MAN WHO HAD AGREED AFTER THE GULF WAR THAT HE WOULD
         DISBAND ALL HIS WEAPONS IN THE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL 
         SPHERE IS STILL GOING TO RETAIN HIS AMBITION TO DEVELOP 
         THEM AND DEPLOY THEM -- AND, AS HE HAS IN THE PAST, TO 
         USE THEM.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. ROBERTSON SAYS THE USE OF CRUISE MISSILES FIRST WAS TO 
MAXIMIZE SURPRISE FOR IRAQ AND MAXIMIZE SECURITY FOR BRITISH AND 
U-S FORCES. 

BRITISH CHIEF OF STAFF GENERAL CHARLES GUTHRIE SAYS THE MISSION 
WAS DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES IN IRAQ TOO.

                       /// GUTHRIE ACT ///

         THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT THIS MILITARY ACTION ARE NOT
         DESIGNED TO DO.  IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO KILL, CAPTURE OR 
         REMOVE SADDAM HUSSEIN.  IRAQ IS AN ENORMOUS COUNTRY AND 
         IT WOULD TAKE MANY THOUSANDS OF TROOPS IN A LAND 
         CAMPAIGN TO HAVE ANY CHANCE OF SUCCEEDING TO DO THAT.  
         SECONDLY, IT'S NOT DESIGNED TO PUNISH THE PEOPLE OF 
         IRAQ. WE HAVE NO QUARREL WITH THEM. WE HAVE SYMPATHY 
         WITH THEM. AND THIRDLY, IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO DESTROY 
         IRAQ AS A COUNTRY. 

                         /// END ACT ///

THE BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS WILL  NOT  SAY HOW LONG THE AIR 
CAMPAIGN WILL LAST -- ONLY THAT IT WILL GO ON UNTIL WASHINGTON 
AND LONDON ARE SATISFIED THE MILITARY OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN 
ACHIEVED.   

DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERTSON DISMISSES SUGGESTIONS THAT THE 
LARGEST AIR CAMPAIGN SINCE THE 1991 GULF WAR WAS TIMED TO DIVERT 
ATTENTION FROM PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS.  
THE U-S CONGRESS HAS SUSPENDED THE VOTE UNTIL THE MILITARY ACTION
IS OVER.

BUT MR. ROBERTSON ADDS THAT WITH REGARD TO THE TIMING OF THE 
MISSION, WASHINGTON AND LONDON ARE BOTH SENSITIVE TO THE FACT 
THAT THE HOLY MUSLIM MONTH OF RAMADAN STARTS THIS WEEKEND. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/PCF

17-Dec-98 7:12 AM EST (1212 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.