DATE=12/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243307
TITLE=CLINTON / IRAQ (S-UPDATE)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ANNOUNCED AN END TO U-S AIR STRIKES
AGAINST IRAQ, TELLING THE NATION THE MOST EXTENSIVE U-S AND 
BRITISH MISSILE ATTACKS SINCE THE GULF WAR HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY 
DEGRADED BAGHDAD'S ABILITY TO THREATEN THE WORLD WITH WEAPONS OF 
MASS DESTRUCTION.  WE GET THE LATEST FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK 
SIMEONE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT:  FOUR DAYS INTO THE AIR WAR -- AND JUST HOURS AFTER HIS OWN
IMPEACHMENT -- PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARED "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" 
IN IRAQ, BASED ON A FRESH INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT FROM HIS TOP 
MILITARY COMMANDERS. 

                       /// CLINTON ACT ///

         IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO MAKE A DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF 
         OUR OPERATION.  BUT BASED ON THE BRIEFING I'VE JUST 
         RECEIVED, I'M CONFIDENT WE HAVE ACHIEVED OUR MISSION.  
         WE HAVE INFLICTED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE ON SADDAM'S 
         WEAPONS-OF-MASS-DESTRUCTION PROGRAMS, ON THE COMMAND 
         STRUCTURES THAT DIRECT AND PROTECT THAT CAPABILITY AND 
         ON HIS MILITARY AND SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE.

                         /// END ACT ///

BUT THE PRESIDENT SAID AMERICAN FORCES WILL REMAIN IN THE GULF 
REGION, CONTINUING TO ENFORCE "NO-FLY" ZONES OVER NORTHERN AND 
SOUTHERN IRAQ.  IN A SHIFT FROM PREVIOUS POLICY, HE STOPPED SHORT
OF DEMANDING IRAQ ALLOW UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO 
RETURN TO WORK.  IF THE INSPECTORS ARE IMPEDED, THE PRESIDENT 
SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL BE PREPARED TO USE FORCE AGAIN, IF 
IRAQ BEGINS TO REBUILD ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/NJS/WTW

19-Dec-98 6:51 PM EST (2351 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.