1993-06-27 US Fires Missiles at Baghdad, Citing April Plot to Kill Bush

1993-06-27 Gwen Ifill New York Times \Bill Clinton\George H.W. Bush\Iraq\1993-04 Bush assassination plot\US military actions http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE4DA113BF934A15755C0A965958260 US Fires Missiles at Baghdad, Citing April Plot to Kill Bush &ldquo;The United States launched a missile attack against Iraq tonight in retaliation for what President Clinton described as a "loathsome and cowardly" attempt to assassinate former President George Bush during a visit to Kuwait in April.&rdquo;  The United States launched a missile attack against Iraq tonight in retaliation for what President Clinton described as a "loathsome and cowardly" attempt to assassinate former President George Bush during a visit to Kuwait in April.

United States ships in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf fired 23 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the main headquarters of the Iraqi intelligence service in downtown Baghdad, which Mr. Clinton said was responsible for plotting the attack on Mr. Bush. The missiles struck about 6 P.M. Eastern time, early Sunday morning in Baghdad.

In a televised address from the Oval Office less than two hours later, President Clinton condemned Saddam Hussein as an Iraqi leader who has "ruled by atrocity." Mr. Clinton said a "firm and commensurate response was essential to protect our sovereignty."

"It is clear that this was no impulsive or random act," Mr. Clinton said. "It was an elaborate plan devised by the Iraqi Government and directed against a former President of the United States, because of actions he took as President. As such, the Iraqi attack against President Bush was an attack against our country and against all Americans."   