Tracking Number: 223232
Title: "US Concerned About Movement of Iraqi SAM Missiles." Speaking before the Foreign Press Center, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral David Jeremiah said there
is reason for anxiety about Iraq's moving surface-to-air (SAMs) into the security zone in northern Iraq where coalition forces are still providing humanitarian assistance to the Kurds. (920408)
Translated Title: EU preocupado
por movimiento misiles en Irak. (920408)
Author: PORTH, JACQUELYN S (USIA STAFF WRITER)
Date: 19920408
Text:
U.S. CONCERNED ABOUT MOVEMENT OF IRAQI SAM MISSILES
(Jeremiah says informal protest lodged) (620) By Jacquelyn S. Porth USIA Security Affairs Correspondent Washington -- A senior U.S. military official says "there is reason" for some anxiety about Iraq's moving surface-to-air missiles (SAMs)into the security zone in northern Iraq where coalition forces are still providing humanitarian assistance to the Kurds.
Admiral David Jeremiah, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), confirmed April 8 that the Iraqis have moved several SAMs north of the 36th parallel.
"We view the presence of these systems with some considerable concern," he said, because SAMs have no purpose other than to engage aircraft. Under the terms of the United Nations Security Council resolutions only coalition aircraft are permitted to fly north of the 36th parallel in support of Operation Provide Comfort.
While the Iraqis are prohibited from flying their aircraft in this region, the official said, there is no specific U.N. provision against positioning Iraqi SAMs there. But their only possible target would be coalition aircraft, he pointed out, since no one else is flying there.
Jeremiah told reporters at the Washington-based Foreign Press Center that "we have made some informal representations" to the Iraqis about the missiles and consultations are underway with other coalition partners "to sort out" exactly how to handle the matter.
There are indications that the Iraqis, from time to time, have "swept coalition aircraft" with radar, he said. Such a step taken must be taken before a SAM could be launched against an aircraft.
Another Defense Department official, speaking on background, noted that Iraqi SA-2 and 3 SAMs tracked some British Tornado and French Mirage aircraft flying in the area on radar in late March and early April. The official said the Iraqis have been informed in the coalition-Iraqi military-to-military talks in Zakhu that their radar activities are not appreciated and that diplomatic representations about the matter also are underway.
Coalition partners also have expressed concerned about the safety of their pilots now that the Iraqi missiles have been moved into their zone of operation, the official said.
Jeremiah made these other points: -- Asked about the U.S. perception of a security role for the Western European Union, Jeremiah said as long as the organization is complementary and closely coupled with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the WEU would be perceived not as a threat, but as a strong pillar in the security alliance. He said, however, that the WEU should not be duplicative of the existing NATO structure.
-- About Israel's strategic relationship with the United States, Jeremiah said the two countries have "a very strong military-to-military relationship" that he expects "to continue."
-- Regarding Turkish military actions against terrorist rebels in northern Iraq, Jeremiah said the attacks have been difficult for the Turkish government to cope with, adding that "It will take aggressive action to deal with that kind of hard core terrorist threat."
-- On continued U.S. nuclear weapons testing, Jeremiah said testing is still needed to ensure the safety of the remaining weapons in the stockpile and for that reason underground testing will continue in Nevada.
-- Questioned about a possible U.S. naval role in support of the U.N. embargo against Libya for its failure to turn over two Libyans believed involved in the terrorist bombing of a Pan Am jet in 1988, he said the Navy would continue its long time operations in the Mediterranean Sea, but its actions would not be tied to the embargo which is slated to take effect April 15.
NNNN
File Identification: 04/08/92, PO-307; 04/08/92, EU-320; 04/09/92, AR-404; 04/09/92, EP-411; 04/09/92, AS-404; 04/09/92, NE-403
Product Name: Wireless File
Product Code: WF
Languages: Spanish
Keywords: IRAQ/Defense & Military; MISSILES; FORCE & TROOP LEVELS; OPERATION PROVIDE HOPE; KURDS; UNITED NATIONS-SECURITY COUNCIL
Thematic Codes: 1NE
Target
Areas: AR; EU; EA; NE
PDQ Text Link: 223232; 223273
USIA Notes: *92040807.POL
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
