>From ABC website: Air strikes against Iraq begins Thursday 17 December, 1998 (9:36am AEDT) The United States and Britain have confirmed they have launched air strikes against Iraq. The announcements came as explosions believed to be anti- aircraft gun fire rocked the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. White House spokesman Joe Lockhart says President Bill Clinton ordered the strikes after reading a report from United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) chief Richard Butler. The report criticised Iraq for not complying with his team of weapons inspectors, who were subsequently pulled out of Baghdad. "US forces have launched a substantial military strike against Iraq," Mr Lockhart said. Britain has also confirmed that air strikes have been launched. Leftlink: Australia's Broad Left mailing list http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton
