President Clinton said Friday a standoff between Iraqi officials and United Nations weapons inspectors has become "quite serious" and must be resolved soon.
Clinton indicated continued support for the United Nations as it seeks to force Iraqi compliance with resolutions imposed on Baghdad under cease-fire terms following the Persian Gulf War.Clinton's comments came as he answered questions Friday on the South Lawn of the White House, where he introduced the administration's newly appointed AIDS czar, Kristine M. Gebbie.
Iraq has been stalling on a number of U.N. resolutions aimed at dismantling its weapons of mass destruction, including biological, nuclear and chemical devices as well as long-range ballistic missiles.
The latest standoff began early this month when a team of inspectors was barred by Iraqi officials from installing U.N. surveillance cameras at missile test sites.