DATE= 11/18/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-222844
TITLE=U-2/IRAQ (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS AN AMERICAN U-2 SURVEILLANCE
PLANE FLEW OVER IRAQ (TUESDAY) WITHOUT INCIDENT, DESPITE AN IRAQI
THREAT TO SHOOT DOWN THE FLIGHTS. MORE FROM CORRESPONDENT NICK
SIMEONE AT THE PENTAGON.
TEXT: IRAQ SAYS U-2 FLIGHTS ARE BEING USED TO COLLECT MILITARY
INTELLIGENCE IN PREPARATION FOR A POSSIBLE U-S ATTACK. THE
UNITED STATES, WHOSE PILOTS FLY THE AMERICAN PLANES, MAINTAINS
THE U-2'S ARE ONLY CONDUCTING ROUTINE RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS FOR
U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAMS. IT WAS IRAQ'S ORDER TO EXPEL THE
AMERICAN INSPECTORS LAST MONTH THAT TRIGGERED THIS STANDOFF IN
THE GULF.
U-S AIR FORCE CAPTAIN LEO DEVINE SAYS TUESDAY'S U-2 FLIGHT -- THE
FIRST IN MORE THAN A WEEK -- FLEW WITHOUT INCIDENT.
// DEVINE ACT //
THE AIRCRAFT DID RETURN WITHOUT INCIDENT. AS FAR AS WE
KNOW, THERE WAS NO THREAT TO IT.
// END ACT //
IRAQ HAS TWICE THREATENED TO SHOOT DOWN THE FLIGHTS, A MOVE
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS WOULD TRIGGER AN IMMEDIATE
U-S MILITARY RESPONSE. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/RAE
18-Nov-97 8:06 AM EST (1306 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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