THE WHITE HOUSE

                  Office of the Press Secretary

________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                              June 28, 1993



                      TEXT OF A LETTER FROM
                 THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF
               THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE
               PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE



                          June 28, 1993



Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Mr. President:)

Commencing at approximately 4:22 p.m. (EST) on June 26, 1993, at
my direction, U.S. naval forces launched a Tomahawk cruise
missile strike on the Iraqi Intelligence Service's (IIS)
principal command and control complex in Baghdad.  This facility
is the headquarters for the IIS, which planned the failed attempt
to assassinate former President Bush during his visit to Kuwait
in April of this year.  This U.S. military action was completed
upon impact of the missiles on target at approximately 6 p.m.
(EST).

Operating under the United States Central Command, two U.S. Navy
surface ships launched a total of 23 precision-guided Tomahawk
missiles in this coordinated strike upon the key facilities in
the IIS compound.  The USS PETERSON (DD 969) launched 14 missiles
from its position in the Red Sea, while the USS CHANCELLORSVILLE
(CG 62) in the Arabian Gulf launched nine missiles.  The timing
of this operation, with missiles striking at approximately 2:00
a.m. local Iraqi time, was chosen carefully so as to minimize
risks to innocent civilians.  Initial reports indicate that heavy
damage was inflicted on the complex.  Regrettably, there were
some collateral civilian casualties.

I ordered this military response only after I considered the
results of a thorough and independent investigation by U.S.
intelligence and law enforcement agencies.  The reports by
Attorney General Reno and Director of Central Intelligence
Woolsey provided compelling evidence that the operation that
threatened the life of President Bush in Kuwait City in April was
directed and pursued by the Iraqi Intelligence Service and that
the Government of Iraq bore direct responsibility for this
effort.

The Government of Iraq acted unlawfully in attempting to carry
out Saddam Hussein's threats against former President Bush
because of actions he took as President.  The evidence of the
Government of Iraq's violence and terrorism demonstrates that
Iraq poses a continuing threat to United States nationals and
shows utter disregard for the will of the international community
as expressed in Security Council Resolutions and the United
Nations Charter.  Based on the Government of Iraq's pattern of
disregard for international law, I concluded that there was no
reasonable prospect that new diplomatic initiatives or economic
measures could influence the current Government of Iraq to cease
planning future attacks against the United States.

                               more

                                                       (OVER)


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Consequently, in the exercise of our inherent right of self-
defense as recognized in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter
and pursuant to my constitutional authority with respect to the
conduct of foreign relations and as Commander in Chief, I ordered
a military strike that directly targeted a facility of Iraqi
intelligence implicated in the plot against the former Chief
Executive.  In accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations
Charter, this action was reported immediately to the Security
Council on June 26.  On June 27, Ambassador Albright provided
evidence of Iraq's assassination attempts to the United Nations
Security Council, which had been convened in emergency session at
our request.

I am certain that you share my sincere hope that the limited and
proportionate action taken by the United States Government will
frustrate and help deter and preempt future unlawful actions on
the part of the Government of Iraq.  Nonetheless, in the event
that Iraqi violence, aggression, or state-sponsored terrorism
against the United States continues, I will direct such
additional measures in our exercise of the right of self-defense
as may be necessary and appropriate to protect United States
citizens.

I remain committed to ensuring that the Congress is kept fully
informed regarding significant employments of the U.S. Armed
Forces.  Accordingly, I am providing this report on the U.S.
military actions of June 26, consistent with the War Powers
Resolution.  I appreciate your thoughts and continued support as
we address these important concerns.

                            Sincerely,



                           WILLIAM J. CLINTON



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