Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 27, 1993 TAG: 9306280272
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Long
Clinton, speaking to the nation in a hastily arranged address from the Oval Office, said the planned attack against Bush was "directed and pursued" by Iraqi intelligence.
"We thank God it was unsuccessful," he said.
"A firm and commensurate response was essential to protect our sovereignty," he said.
He called the plot against Bush "particularly loathsome and cowardly" because it was against the leader of the Gulf War coalition.
Clinton said a U.S. investigation convinced him "there is compelling evidence that there was in fact a plot to assassinate former President Bush and that this plot, which included the use of a powerful bomb made in Iraq, was directed and pursued by the Iraqi intelligence service."
Clinton said he gave the order Friday to attack "the Iraqi intelligence service's principal command control facility in Baghdad."
He said the missiles were launched at 4:22 p.m. EDT.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell said 23 cruise missiles were launched from the USS Peterson and USS Chancellorsville in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, respectively. The missiles struck Baghdad in the early morning.
Powell said an early assessment indicated that "all 23 performed as they were supposed to" and that they "landed in the target area where they are supposed to be."
Striking the tough tone of a commander in chief, Clinton said the bombing was intended "to deter further violence against our people and to affirm the expectation of civilized behavior among nations.
"From the first days of our revolution, American security has depended on the clarity of this message: Don't tread on us," Clinton said.
Clinton said he had discussed the action with congressional leaders and U.S. allies and called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council "to expose Iraq's crime."
Clinton called Bush just minutes after the attack was launched, and Secretary of State Warren Christopher briefed Bush in Maine on the evidence earlier Saturday, a senior administration official said.
Reached at his Kennebunkport, Maine, home by The Associated Press, Bush declined comment.
"I'm not in the interview business, but thank you very much for calling," Bush said as music played loudly in the background. He then hung up.
The official said the attack could have been launched Friday night but was delayed a day out of respect for the Muslim holy day.
Clinton's action drew immediate bipartisan support.
"I think it was decisive," said Sen. David Pryor, D-Ark. "I think it showed leadership and he took action and sent a message to these terrorists that the United States would not tolerate these actions."
Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kansas, called Clinton from Charleston, W.Va., and offered the president his support.
Colorado Republican Sen. Hank Brown said "the circumstances more than justified the attack. The president did the right thing."
The president said he made the decision to attack after receiving a report from Attorney General Janet Reno and CIA Director James Woolsey confirming there was an Iraqi-sponsored plot to kill Bush.
"Saddam Hussein has demonstrated repeatedly that he will resort to terrorism or aggression if left unchecked," Clinton said, adding that every effort was made "to minimize the loss of innocent life."
Bush visited Kuwait in April, where he was honored for his role leading the allies in the Persian Gulf War. Kuwaiti officials arrested 17 people in a suspected plot against Bush; 11 of the suspects are Iraqis.
When the plot was revealed last month, some congressional leaders said the United States should retaliate if it was proved that Saddam Hussein's government was behind the alleged plot. Some urged the use of military force.
Iraq dismissed charges that it was involved in the plot and accused Kuwait and the United States of laying the groundwork for a military strike.
A team of FBI and Secret Service agents went to Kuwait to investigate.
The attack was launched under a U.N. article that allows nations to defend themselves, but administration officials said they hoped it would have a "spinoff effect" in encouraging the Iraqis to abide by separate U.N. resolutions adopted in the wake of the Gulf War.
President Reagan invoked the same provision when the U.S. bombed Libya in 1986 in retaliation for the bombing of a German discotheque frequented by American servicemen.
Clinton said his message was clear: "We will combat terrorism. We will deter aggression. We will protect our people."
Secretary of Defense Les Aspin, speaking at the Pentagon after Clinton's address, said the "assassination attempt was not an act of a small group of people acting independently."
"The evidence is very conclusive that it was the work of the Iraqi intelligence service and was an act that would have had to be approved by the highest level of Iraqi government," Aspin said.
But he noted that Saturday's strike was not directed specifically against Saddam Hussein. Instead, he said, it was meant to send a message to those who serve closest to him "that following this man is not good for your health."
Powell, asked whether there were any concerns of retaliation by Iraq, said U.S. naval forces in the region were being sent to bolster forces there.
\ CONFRONTATIONS WITH IRAQ\ RECENT HISTORY\ \ Aug. 27, 1992 Western air-exclusion zone to protect Iraqi Shiite rebels takes effect.\ \ Dec. 27 U.S. fighter shoots down Iraqi MiG-25 after it penetrates no-fly zone.\ \ Jan. 2-3 Iraqis enter Kuwait in abortive attempt to seize U.N.-guarded equipment left from 1991 Persian Gulf War.\ \ Jan. 4 U.S. says Iraq moves surface-to-air missiles into no-fly zone.\ \ Jan. 10 Armed Iraqis again cross disputed Kuwait border, remove Silkworm missiles abandoned in war. Baghdad blocks U.N. flights within Iraq.\ \ Jan. 13 Iraqis enter Kuwait again. Allied aircraft attack missiles, radar sites in southern Iraq. Baghdad says 19 killed.\ \ Jan. 16 Iraq threatens to down allied aircraft over no-fly zone in south and one imposed by allies earlier in north to protect Kurds.\ \ Jan. 17 U.S. F-16 downs Iraqi plane in north, allies hit anti-aircraft missile site. U.S. warships fire 30 cruise missiles at what Washington says is a nuclear facility. One missile smashes into hotel, killing 2.\ \ Jan. 18 Allied warplanes hit Iraqi missiles that survived Jan. 13 raid and bomb missile batteries in north. Iraq reports 21 dead.\ \ Jan. 19 U.S. jets hit northern air defenses. Iraq announces cease-fire, lifts ban on U.N. flights. Jan. 20 President Clinton inaugurated. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein makes conciliatory remarks. U.S. troops deploy near Kuwait-Iraq border.\ \ Jan. 21 U.N. inspection team flies unhindered into Baghdad aboard U.N. plane. Two U.S. jets attacks northern missile site after Iraqi radar tracks them.\ \ Feb. 3 Two French F-1 Mirage reconnaissance aircraft are fired upon.\ \ April 9 Four U.S. warplanes fire at Iraqi artillery in northern zone. Iraq denies U.S. claims the artillery fired at the planes.\ \ April 13 Kuwait arrests more than a dozen Iraqis and Kuwaitis in alleged plot to assassinate former President Bush, who is to visit the next day.\ \ June 5 Trial opens for 14 Iraqis and three Kuwaitis accused in plot. Two plead guilty.\ \ June 18 Security Council declares Iraq violating cease-fire by preventing inspectors from installing surveillance cameras at missile test sites.\ \ June 25 Clinton calls standoff between U.N. and Iraq "quite serious."\ \ June 26 U.S. launches cruise missiles at target in Baghdad in retaliation for Iraqi involvement in assassination plot.
by CNB