DATE=12/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243296
TITLE=BLAIR/IRAQ (L ONLY)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON 
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IS ALREADY LOOKING TO 
WHAT COMES NEXT AFTER THE AIR STRIKES END, BUT HE WON'T SAY WHEN 
THE MILITARY OPERATION WILL STOP.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE 
KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON THAT CRITICISM OF THE PROLONGED 
MILITARY OPERATION IS INCREASING IN EUROPE AND THE ARAB WORLD.

TEXT:  PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAYS FOUR NIGHTS OF AIR STRIKES 
AGAINST IRAQ ARE ACHIEVING THEIR OBJECTIVES -- TO DIMINISH SADDAM
HUSSEIN'S MILITARY THREAT TO HIS NEIGHBORS.  AND, HE SAYS, AFTER 
THE AIR STRIKES END BRITAIN WILL PURSUE A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN THAT
CONTINUES TO ISOLATE AND CONTAIN THE IRAQI LEADER .

MR. BLAIR ACKNOWLEDGES DISAGREEMENT AMONG THE ALLIES OVER THE 
JOINT U-S-BRITISH OPERATION BUT SAYS THERE WAS NO OTHER OPTION 
AFTER A U-N REPORT CONFIRMED THE IRAQI LEADER'S PATTERN OF 
OBSTRUCTION AND CONFRONTATION.

                        /// BLAIR ACT ///

         THE ALTERNATIVE IS NOT PEACE BUT THE ALTERNATIVE IS 
         SADDAM HUSSEIN OUT OF HIS CAGE TO CAUSE DESTRUCTION 
         AGAIN.

                         /// END ACT ///

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR IS CAREFUL TO STRESS THAT THE AIM OF THE AIR
STRIKES IS NOT TO TOPPLE SADDAM HUSSEIN BUT TO DISMANTLE HIS 
MILITARY CAPABILITIES, ESPECIALLY THE WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION.

                      /// BLAIR ACT TWO ///

         IT IS WITHOUT ANY DOUBT OUR DESIRE TO SEE THE END OF 
         SADDAM HUSSEIN, AND IF IT COULD BE ASSISTED IN ANY WAY 
         THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN WE HAVE CARRIED OUT OVER THE PAST 
         FEW DAYS, WE WOULD WELCOME IT.  BUT I HAVE TO 
         DISTINGUISH THAT FROM SAYING IT IS AN OBJECTIVE AND TEST
         OF OUR MISSION.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. BLAIR'S APPEARANCE ON T-V SATURDAY FOLLOWED EARLIER NEWS 
CONFERENCES BY HIS FOREIGN MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.  
THE PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN COMES AS CRITICISM INCREASES OF 
THE MILITARY OPERATION.  

ARAB AND EUROPEAN LEADERS HAVE CALLED FOR A HALT TO THE BOMBINGS.
NOISY PROTESTERS HAVE BEEN OUT ON THE STREETS OF LONDON.  
DEMONSTRATIONS IN SOME ARAB CAPITALS HAVE TURNED VIOLENT.  
BRITISH AND AMERICAN EMBASSIES AROUND THE WORLD HAVE STEPPED UP 
SECURITY IN CASE OF REPRISAL ATTACKS. (SIGNED)

NEB/LK/DW/GE

19-Dec-98 12:57 PM EST (1757 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.