LOCAL RESIDENTS SAY ATTACK IS LONG OVERDUE

Local residents seem to support Wednesday's airstrikes against Iraq, though a few questioned the president's timing.

Christmas shoppers and storekeeps at West Park Mall paused briefly to discuss the latest military action in Iraq.

"I think we should have dropped bombs on him (Saddam Hussein) a long time ago. I mean he's been pushing his limits," said Thomas Koehler, 25, of Cape Girardeau.

"It's about time," he said.

President Clinton announced the attack a day before the House was to begin debate on his impeachment, with votes expected Friday.

Koehler said: "I don't think he did it to delay the impeachment vote. It seems hard to believe that in the last hours of his presidency he would choose to drop bombs, possibly killing innocent people."

Bloomfield resident Jody Waggoner, 24, disagreed. "Clinton's just covering up, trying to distract attention from the impeachment," he said.

Hugh Conway, an active naval reservist in Cape Girardeau, was called out for the Gulf War in 1991 and said he isn't eager to return.

"Last time I was expecting it, but this time surprised me," Conway said.

He said he doesn't know if he will be called to duty. "I hope not," he said.

But Conway said the dictator in Iraq should be brought to heel. "He keeps going back on his word," he said.

Mark Moseley, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, said he heard about the attack on his way to work. "I knew it was going to happen. I just didn't know when."

In Washington, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson said she supports the airstrikes.

"Time and time again, the U.S. has asked for Saddam Hussein's compliance with U.N. weapons inspectors. And time and time again, he has ignored the will and wishes of the international community," Emerson said.

"Although there have been many questions surrounding the timing of the attacks, I believe that first and foremost, our focus should be on all of our U.S. servicemen and women," Emerson said.

Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., affirmed his support Wednesday for the president's decision to launch air strikes on Iraq.

"It's at the heart of America's credibility," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.