DATE= 11/4/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222154
TITLE=U-2 DEFENSE (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: BAGHDAD IS THREATENING TO SHOOT DOWN U-S SPY PLANES THAT
HELP U-N EXPERTS SEARCH FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ.
V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE PENTAGON'S TOP OFFICIAL SAYS AN
ATTACK ON THE U-2 WOULD HAVE "SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES" FOR BAGHDAD.
TEXT: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN TOLD REPORTERS THE U-2
FLIGHTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SEARCH FOR BANNED WEAPONS --
AND THEY WILL CONTINUE, IN SPITE OF THE THREAT. HE URGED IRAQ TO
AVOID FURTHER ESCALATING TENSIONS IN THE AREA.
/// COHEN ACT ///
SHOULD THERE BE ANY EFFORT TO EITHER ATTACK THAT
AIRCRAFT OR PUT IT IN ANY DANGER, WE WOULD VIEW THAT
WITH VERY GRAVE, AS A VERY GRAVE MATTER, AND WITH
SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.
/// END ACT ///
THOSE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE INFLICTED BY CRUISE MISSILES LAUNCHED
FROM U-S SHIPS OR BOMBERS, OR FROM SOME OF THE TWO HUNDRED U-S
AIR CRAFT CURRENTLY DEPLOYED IN OR NEAR THE GULF.
PENTAGON EXPERTS SAY IT IS POSSIBLE -- BUT DIFFICULT -- FOR IRAQ
TO HIT THE HIGH FLYING U-2 CAMERA PLANE. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/MMK
04-Nov-97 1:57 PM EST (1857 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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