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Just saw your CASI post, and wanted to provide further information. Regarding context, it's interesting (and damning) to note this WAS NOT an ambush interview. Albright came fully prepared, and even showed mounted photos of Hussein's 'luxuries' at one point. If you haven't already purchased the tape, you might be interested in an AVI snippet of the exchange that's available on my home page (<http://home.att.net/~drew.hamre/>). Feel free to download and re-post elsewhere.
In fairness to Albright, I should note that she utters "... worth it*" with a rising inflection and continues speaking (her voice obscured by Stahl's voiceover). I presume Albright segued into the same old discredited sound bite about Saddam being solely to blame ... etc. etc. etc. In May '98, this follow-up occurred (posted at <http://www.usis-ankara.org.tr/usappmes.htm>). Note Albright's immediate, instinctive denial:
Q: One very brief question on a related thing in the region. Two years ago, on "60 Minutes," you said that the price of half a million Iraqi children dying as a result of the sanctions, largely, was, quote, "worth it." Do you regret making that statement, which got substantial play in the Arab world, though not much here?
SEC. ALBRIGHT: Let me just say this; I have said -- I do not actually remember saying that specifically --
Q: I've seen it.
SEC. ALBRIGHT: Well then, I guess I said it. Let me just say this: I believe that the fact that Iraqi children are dying is not the fault of the United States, but of Saddam Hussein. And I think it is ridiculous for the United States to be blamed for the dictatorial and cruel, barbaric ways that Saddam Hussein treats his people ... So you can't lay that guilt trip on me. I mean I think it is Saddam --
Q: You don't think the U.S. has any culpability --
Q: I think she's addressed that.
SEC. ALBRIGHT: Yeah.
BTW - Stahl won several major journalism awards for the piece, and I'd be curious to know her reaction to this quote's disappearance.
... Drew Hamre
Golden Valley (suburban Minneapolis), Minnesota USA
* My version of the transcript:
>Lesley Stahl (speaking of post-war US sanctions against Iraq):
"We have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that's more children than died in Hiroshima. And - and you know, is the price worth it?"
>Madeleine Albright (at that time, US Ambassador to the UN):
"I think this is a very hard choice, but the price - we think the price is worth it."