ACCESSION NUMBER:291976

FILE ID:TXT301

DATE:06/30/93

TITLE:CLINTON:  "WE WILL PROTECT OUR PEOPLE" (06/30/93)

TEXT:*93063001.TXT

CLINTON:  "WE WILL PROTECT OUR PEOPLE"



(VOA Editorial)  (380)

(Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America June 30,

reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)



No country can have normal relations with a regime that uses terror,

aggression and even assassination as tools of foreign policy.

Unfortunately, this is the kind of regime now ruling Iraq.  The regime of

Saddam Hussein has slaughtered its own people, invaded two neighbors,

sponsored international terrorism and engaged in chemical and environmental

warfare.



In April, the Kuwaiti government uncovered a plot to assassinate former

President George Bush by means of a powerful car bomb while he was visiting

Kuwait City.  Working with Kuwaiti authorities, United States officials

carefully investigated the plot.  They reported to President Bill Clinton

last week.  As President Clinton said in a televised address on June 26,

the investigators determined that the plot "was directed and pursued by the

Iraqi Intelligence Service."



"It is clear," said President Clinton, "that this was no impulsive or random

act.  It was an elaborate plan devised by the Iraqi government and directed

against the former president of the United States because of actions he

took as president.  As such, the Iraqi attack against President Bush was an

attack against our country and against all Americans."  Clinton stressed

that the United States could not let such an action against the United

States go unanswered.



In response to Iraq's aggression, President Clinton ordered a cruise missile

attack on the Iraqi Intelligence Service command and control facility in

Baghdad.  Clinton explained that the U.S. intention "was to target Iraq's

capacity to support violence against the United States and other nations

and to deter Saddam Hussein from supporting such outlawed behavior in the

future.  Therefore," he said, "we directed our action against the facility

associated with Iraq's support of terrorism while making every effort to

minimize the loss of innocent life."



President Clinton said there should be no mistake about the message the

United States intends to convey "to Saddam Hussein, to the rest of the

Iraqi leadership and to any nation, group or person who would harm our

leaders or our citizens.  We will combat terrorism.  We will deter

aggression.  We will protect our people."



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