DATE=3/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - IRAQ (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260482
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  A senior U-S official has acknowledged that 
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is likely to remain in 
office longer than President Clinton.  At the same 
time, the administration is resisting calls to arm the 
Iraqi opposition.  V-O-A's David Swan reports.

TEXT:  At a Senate hearing (Wednesday), Assistant 
Secretary of State Edward Walker faced questions about 
why the United States has not done more to topple 
President Saddam.  Mr. Walker defended the U-S record 
of containing him.  Under questioning, he told 
senators not to look for a new leader in Baghdad soon.

            /// Walker Act ///

      The probabilities would lead in the direction 
      that he would still be in power by the end of 
      the (Clinton) administration.  That doesn't mean 
      that we can not use the intervening time to 
      build up the capabilities of those who would 
      seek to remove him.

            /// End Act ///

But for now at least, the build-up will not include 
military aid to Iraqi dissidents.  Citing the failed 
anti-government campaigns of the past, Mr. Walker said 
there must be a solid foundation for any attempt to 
unseat President Saddam.

            /// Walker Act ///

      We admit that it'll take some time to put it 
      together.  But it is not our objective or our 
      interest to see a slap-happy or a slapdash (EDS: 
      hasty and ill conceived) kind of program put 
      together that costs people's lives.

            /// End Act ///

Critics say the administration is moving much too 
slowly and is not using the authority or the money 
approved by Congress.  Republican Senator Sam 
Brownback charged there is no serious effort to bring 
about change in Iraq.

            /// Brownback Act ///

      And all along, the clock is ticking and the rest 
      of the world and others are starting to re-
      engage Saddam.  So that at the end of the day, 
      we're left with him still in power, still in 
      Baghdad.

            /// End Act ///

(signed)

neb/ds/jp




22-Mar-2000 13:05 PM EDT (22-Mar-2000 1805 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.