DATE=8/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-237491
TITLE=CONGRESS-TERROR (L)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  TOP CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WENT TO CAPITOL HILL
TO BUILD SUPPORT IN CONGRESS FOR A SUSTAINED WAR ON TERRORISM. 
V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS THEY SHARED SECRET EVIDENCE BEHIND 
CLOSED DOORS.

TEXT:  ONE PARTICIPANT IN THE MEETING SAYS THE EVIDENCE WAS 
STRONG. SENATOR GORDON SMITH WALKED OUT CONVINCED THE PRESIDENT 
DID THE RIGHT THING.

                        ////SMITH ACT///

         WHAT DOUBTS I HAD HAVE BEEN DISPELLED.

                          ///END ACT///

THE OREGON REPUBLICAN SAID ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE UNITED 
AGAINST TERRORISM.  BUT SOME HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 
TIMING OF THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO LAUNCH STRIKES.  THEY 
SUGGESTED IT MIGHT BE AN ATTEMPT TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM HIS 
PERSONAL PROBLEMS.

SENATOR SMITH CALLED THE TIMING " UNFORTUNATE."  BUT HE TOLD 
REPORTERS THE ATTACKS WERE JUSTIFIED.

                         ///SMITH ACT///

         IN MY MIND, THIS IS REALLY A TIME FOR SOME REPUBLICANS 
         LIKE MYSELF AND OTHERS TO PULL TOGETHER AND SAY THIS 
         ISN'T THE MOVIES, THIS IS REAL LIFE...THIS IS A REAL 
         CONCERN.  AND OUR GOVERNMENT HAS ACTED IN A RESPONSIBLE 
         WAY.

                          ///END ACT///

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN AND SECRETARY OF STATE 
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WERE AMONG THOSE BRIEFING LAWMAKERS.  MS. 
ALBRIGHT SAID SHE EMPHASIZED THE STRIKES ON TARGETS IN 
AFGHANISTAN AND SUDAN WERE JUST THE BEGINNING.

                       ///ALBRIGHT ACT///

         WE ARE INVOLVED HERE IN A LONG TERM STRUGGLE.  WE HAVE 
         BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS BEFORE.  THIS IS, UNFORTUNATELY, 
         THE WAR OF THE FUTURE.

                          ///END ACT///

FRIDAY'S BRIEFING WAS INTENDED LARGELY FOR MEMBERS OF THE SENATE 
INTELLIGENCE AND FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEES.  CONGRESSIONAL 
LEADERS WERE BRIEFED EARLIER BY THE PRESIDENT.  (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/JO

21-Aug-98 4:03 PM EDT (2003 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.