Presidential Address on Haiti and Iraq

In an address to the nation, President Clinton announced that in Haiti the two remaining coup leaders, Generals Cedras and Biamby, will step down, clearing the way for the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on October 15. On the situation in Iraq, the president stated that over the weekend he ordered the George Washington carrier battle group, cruise missile ships, a marine expeditionary brigade, and an army mechanized task force to the Persian Gulf. He indicated he has ordered the additional deployment of more than 350 Air Force aircraft to the region. He also said the United States has not seen evidence that Iraq’s troops are, in fact, pulling back. He emphasized that our nation will not allow Iraq to threaten its neighbors or to intimate the United Nations as it ensures that Iraq never again possesses weapons of mass destruction. Lastly, the president stressed that the sanctions will be maintained Iraq complies with all relevant U.N. resolutions. close