USA/UN: CLINTON AND ALBRIGHT ON IRAQ

Описание: (13 Nov 1998) English/Nat

U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had terse words for Iraq as tensions between Baghdad and the U-S intensify.

Albright underlined the Clinton Administration's desire for a peaceful solution to the situation, and indicated that American military action will depend on the Iraqi leader.

She also said that many Arab nations had voted unanimously in support of U-S intervention in the area.

U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said on Friday that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein can reverse the imminent airstrikes against his country if he allows U-N weapons inspectors to continue with their work.

Albright told a news conference in Washington D-C that time was running out and there was not much room left for diplomacy.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"America wants a peaceful outcome that gets U-N-S-C-O-M back on the job. But we are prepared to act if that doesn't happen. For months we have said that every option was on the table. Unfortunately one by one, the diplomatic options have been rebuffed. Iraq has a simple choice: reverse course or face the consequences. I have been asked in the past whether the United States has the right to act in the face of Iraqi transgressions. The answer is that every law-abiding nation has, not only the right, but also the responsibility, to do what it can to see that Saddam Hussein does not again threaten world peace."
SUPER CAPTION: Madeleine Albright, U-S Secretary of State

The condemnation of Iraq by the U-S has also been echoed by Syria, Egypt and the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

They issued a statement on Thursday warning Saddam that his government would be held "responsible for any consequences" if it continued to block the U-N weapons inspectors.

The criticism by these countries was unusually strong for Arab countries, which have repeatedly called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In addition to Egypt, Syria and the six Arab states that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council issued a statement yesterday that explicitly holds Saddam responsible for his defiance of the international will. And here too the vote was unanimous. I've been in frequent contact with UN Secretary, Kofi Annan, we all want a peaceful outcome, but it was Saddam Hussein who forced the UN inspectors to stop their work. And only he can put them back on the job and it's up to him whether he chooses at long last to do what the world has been asking Iraq to do. Any action the United States takes will be motivated by our desire to counter threats to peace and by our hopes for a future of stability, prosperity and respect for human rights in Iraq. "
SUPER CAPTION: Madeleine Albright, U-S Secretary of State

Albright spoke as more jet fighters, heavy bombers, ships and ground troops were on their way to the Persian Gulf region to beef up a substantial force that is already deployed there.

She was unequivocal in her assurance that it is up to Iraq now to avert military strikes.

Head of U-N-S-C-O-M Richard Butler echoed Albright's message.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Iraq does know what needs to be done. We've given them the list of remaining disarmament requirements. They can do this the legal and orthodox way by cooperating with us or it seems that there will be big trouble. I just hope they're listening, especially to their Arab friends who told them yesterday that, really they've got to do this. And I hope they do."
SUPER CAPTION: Richard Butler, UN Chief Weapons Inspector


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