DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243168
TITLE=BLAIR/IRAQ (S) 
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 


INTRO:  BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS ANNOUNCED THAT 
BRITISH WARPLANES ARE IN ACTION NOW OVER IRAQ AS PART OF THE U-S 
LED OPERATION.  CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE BRITISH 
LEADER ADDRESSED AN EMERGENCY SESSION OF PARLIAMENT TO EXPLAIN 
BRITAIN'S ACTIONS.

TEXT:  PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAYS A MILITARY STRIKE WAS THE ONLY 
OPTION LEFT AFTER THE CRITICAL U-N REPORT OUTLINING SADDAM 
HUSSEIN'S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO BLOCK U-N INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ.   
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE AIRSTRIKES ARE OVER, HE SAYS, IS UP TO 
SADDAM HUSSEIN.

                        /// BLAIR ACT ///

         I HOPE HE WILL FINALLY COME TO HIS SENSES AND RECOGNIZE 
!        THE ONLY WAY TO FIND SUPPORT FROM THE INTERNATIONALY 
         COMMUNITY AND A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL IS FULL 
         COMPIANCE WITH SECURITY COUNCIL REQUIREMENTS.

                         /// END ACT ///

IF SADDAM HUSSEIN DOES NOT COOPERATE, MR. BLAIR WARNS THAT 
BRITAIN IS READY FOR MORE MILITARY ACTION TO MAKE SURE IRAQ'S  
MILITARY CAPABIITIES ARE NOT REBUILT. 

THE PRIME MINISTER REAFFIRMED THAT THE BOMBINGS AGAINST IRAQ ARE 
NOT  TARGETING SADDAM HUSSEIN, BUT RATHER HIS PROGRAMS TO BUILD 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/PCF/RRM



17-Dec-98 11:48 AM EST (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.