DATE=12/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243319
TITLE=BLAIR / IRAQ (S)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR SAYS OPERATION DESERT 
FOX HAS DIMINISHED SADDAM HUSSEIN'S THREAT TO HIS NEIGHBORS.  BUT
HE SAYS BRITAIN IS READY TO STRIKE AGAIN TO CONTAIN THE IRAQI 
LEADER.  CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON BRITAIN
WILL SEND AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER TO THE GULF IN JANUARY TO BACK UP 
THE WARNING.

TEXT:  PRIME MINISTER BLAIR SAYS FUTURE POLICY TOWARD IRAQ WILL 
RELY ON SURVEILLANCE AND CONTAINMENT TO CURB SADDAM HUSSEIN'S 
THREAT TO REGIONAL STABILITY.  HE SAYS OPERATION DESERT FOX SET 
BACK IRAQ'S MILITARY CAPABILITIES BY YEARS.  PRIME MINISTER BLAIR
SAYS THE STRIKE AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN'S MILITARY MACHINE IS ALSO
A WARNING TO OTHERS WHO ABUSE POWER.

                     /// BLAIR ACTUALITY ///

         THOSE WHO ABUSE FORCE TO WAGE WAR MUST BE CONFRONTED BY 
         THOSE WILLING TO USE FORCE TO MAINTAIN PEACE, OTHERWISE 
         THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS THAT WAR BECOMES MORE LIKELY.

                      /// END ACTUALITY ///

MR BLAIR CALLS FOR A NEW AND TOUGHER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION 
PROCESS AND A TIGHTENING UP OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ. (SIGNED)

NEB / LK / DW / WD





20-Dec-98 7:15 AM EST (1215 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.