USA: MADELEINE ALBRIGHT CRITICISES SADDAM HUSSEIN'S ACTIONS

Описание: (9 Nov 1997) English/Nat

U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright called Saddam Hussein a "congenital liar" who "cheats and steals" on Sunday, and she ordered him to allow the U-S to continue its mission in Iraq.

At a Washington press conference, Albright said Saddam's failure to comply with American demands would be "a big mistake with strong consequences"

A tough-talking Madeleine Albright met with American reporters in Washington on Sunday.

The topic on the agenda was Saddam Hussein's refusal to allow American inspectors to continue participating in a UN search of suspected weapons sites in Iraq.

Albright said Saddam's failure would evoke the strongest possible action.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well we believe that the most important thing for him to hear is that the international community is stating that he must reverse his decision and allow UNSCOM with Americans to continue its mission of monitoring. Saddam Hussein is a congenital liar and he cheat and he steals and he cannot be allowed to defy the international community. We want to make sure that there is no, he has no ability to reconstitute dangerous weapons of mass destruction and we expect that tomorrow the Security Council will begin a discussion in order to get the strongest possible action to try to persuade him to reverse his decision."
SUPER CAPTION: Madeleine Albright, U-S Secretary of State

Monday's Security Council meeting will discuss the crisis over UN weapons inspections, and charges that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is not in compliance with UN resolutions.

Albright wouldn't spell out what action the U-S will take if Saddam does not comply, other than to say the action will be decisive.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It will be a big mistake with consequences. I'm not going to speculate but he needs to have the message that it will be a big mistake with consequences."
SUPER CAPTION: Madeleine Albright, U-S Secretary of State

In the past, the United States has floated several proposals short of military action, such as an immediate travel ban on Iraqi officials and tightening controls over equipment with civilian and military use.

U-S Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said the American position on Saddam will constitute a defining moment for the Clinton administration, and encouraged firm action.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think we cannot tolerate the present situation. This is going to be a defining moment for the Clinton administration for the next three years. If they do not take very firm action that's going to be a very, very bad signal but the President will have bipartisan support if he will act decisively. I'm not advocating any specific action at this point, I want the Congress to be consulted and work with the administration. I want the Department of Defence and the President to make the call, but I want them to make the call."
SUPER CAPTION: Trent Lott, Senate Majority Leader

Albright has previously stressed that the United States is anxious to maintain unity within the Security Council and the international front which was formed in 1990 to drive Saddam from Kuwait.

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