Clinton Repeats Warning To Iraq
President Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have repeated a stern warning to Iraq.
In a joint radio address, the two leaders told Saddam Hussein to grant full access to U.N. weapons inspectors or face military retaliation.
Blair says if diplomatic options fail and force must be used, then Britain will be there, as it has in the past.
Speaking first, Mr. Clinton said the U.S. and Britain both have a responsibility abroad to combat a host of threats, none of which are more dangerous than biological and chemical weapons and the terrorists and outlaw states that seek to acquire them.
And Mr. Clinton wrapped up the broadcast by saying the U.S. and Britain speak with one voice on many issues, and that their ties will remain unshakable as they face the challenges of the 21st century.
The taping of the five-minute radio address came near the end of Blair's four-day visit to Washington, his first since his election as prime minister last May. The Blairs were returning to London today.
Mr. Clinton said Friday that he still hopes for a diplomatic solution to the standoff in Iraq, but added that it is "entirely up to Saddam Hussein."
During a joint news conference with Blair, Mr. Clinton said the U.S. priority has been to "do what we can to weaken Saddam's ability to [develop weapons of mass destruction]."
Mr. Clinton added, "This man is the only repeat offender around with chemical weapons."
Standing at a podium on the president's right, Blair demonstrated his support of Mr. Clinton by emphasizing the importance of the role of the U.N. weapons inspectors.
"The reason we are in this situation," said Blair, "is because [Saddam] has been developing weapons of mass destruction. The only barrier to that has been the inspectors. If the inspectors are prevented from doing their work, then we have to make sure, by the military means of which we are capable, that ... that capacity ceases."
Mr. Clinton also indicated that he considers military action as a feasible solution, because the U.S. goal is to block Saddam from developing and possibly deploying deadly weapons. He said he thinks military action would serve to "reduce and/or delay" such development.
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