Second wave of attacks on Iraq launched

The United States today launched a second wave of airstrikes against Iraq as Defense Department officials said the first round had produced "severe damage" to some targets, including the headquarters of Iraqi special forces and intelligence operations, the Associated Press reported.

The latest strikes sent cruise missiles deep into Iraq, and Navy strike aircraft with laser-guided bombs targeted Iraqi air defenses along the border, a senior defense official said. United States and British officials reported no casualties, but Iraqi officials claimed heavy casualties in Baghdad. Baghdad Radio reported Iraqi President Saddam Hussein visited sites targeted by U.S. missiles this morning, including the demolished remains of his daughter's home.

The House today passed, on a 417-5 vote, a resolution supporting American forces in the Persian Gulf and calling for the ouster of Saddam. President Clinton today maintained his decision to move against Iraq Wednesday was "absolutely the right thing to do" and that the bombing had already succeeded in degrading Saddam's capacity "to develop and to use weapons of mass destruction, or to threaten his neighbors."

Clinton forcefully denied the action was prompted by a desire to derail the House impeachment debate. "I don't think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing," he said, adding: "We're going to complete this mission. The Republican leaders will have to decide how to do their job."

Senate Foreign Relations ranking member Joseph Biden, D-Del., today defended Clinton's motives and timing. Of Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott's comments Wednesday opposing the attack, Biden said, "I am incredibly disappointed." He said Lott has "no foreign policy" and challenged "anyone who has an idea to stand up and say it."

Biden speculated Lott's hostility may have been prompted by similar pressures that have been placed on House Speaker- designate Bob Livingston, R-La., from conservative House Republicans to oppose Clinton. Meanwhile, Clinton pronounced himself "very gratified" by the support voiced by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Jesse Helms, R-N.C., Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., and other GOP Senate leaders.

White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart today indicated the United States was not ultimately responsible for the departure of the U.N. inspectors from Iraq, which set the timing for the bombing campaign. Although acknowledging that UNSCOM "consults widely with Security Council members," Lockhart maintained the "decision to pull out was UNSCOM's."