DATE=2/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226582
TITLE=COHEN / GULF (L)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS ROBERTS
DATELINE=BAHRAIN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// EDS: SECRETARY COHEN ARRIVAL IN MOSCOW TENTATIVELY SET FOR
ABOUT 1800 U-T-C ///
INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN HAS COMPLETED HIS
TOUR OF PERSIAN GULF NATIONS WHERE HE BRIEFED ARAB LEADERS ABOUT
U-S CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR A MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST IRAQ.
V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN BAHRAIN REPORTS SECRETARY COHEN IS NOW
HEADED FOR MOSCOW FOR TALKS WITH OFFICIALS OF RUSSIA'S GOVERNMENT
WHICH IS LEADING EFFORTS TO FIND A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE
CRISIS OVER IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
TEXT: DURING HIS FOUR-DAY TOUR OF THE REGION, SECRETARY COHEN
DID NOT WIN ANY OVERT ARAB SUPPORT FOR A U-S MILITARY STRIKE
AGAINST IRAQ. AND KEY U-S ALLIES LIKE SAUDI ARABIA AND EGYPT
VOICED PUBLIC OPPOSITION.
BUT MR. COHEN SAID ALL THE GULF LEADERS TOLD HIM IRAQ MUST COMPLY
WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS ON ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. AND ALL
AGREE THAT BAGHDAD WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES IF IT
MAINTAINS ITS REFUSAL TO ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS FULL ACCESS TO
SUSPECTED WEAPONS SITES.
/// COHEN ACT ///
WE ARE SATISFIED, BASED ON OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM,
THAT THEY WILL BE SOLIDLY BEHIND THE UNITED STATES AND
OUR OTHER ALLIES, IF IT COMES TO CARRYING OUT A MILITARY
OPERATION.
/// END ACT ///
U-S COMMANDERS ARE DEPLOYING ADDITIONAL ATTACK PLANES TO KUWAIT
AND BAHRAIN. MILITARY EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN PRE-POSITIONED IN QATAR
AND OMAN. A CONTINGENT OF MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND MARINES IS
MOVING TOWARD THE GULF ON A NAVAL VESSEL. AND ADDITIONAL U-S
COMBAT TROOPS ARE HEADING FOR KUWAIT.
THE OVERALL COMMANDER OF AMERICAN FORCES IN THE GULF, MARINE
CORPS GENERAL ANTHONY ZINNI, TOLD REPORTERS (WEDNESDAY) THE
ADDITIONAL DEPLOYMENTS WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT A WEEK. BUT
U-S OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO STRESS THAT NO DEADLINE HAS BEEN SET
FOR MILITARY ACTION AND THERE STILL IS TIME FOR A DIPLOMATIC
SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS.
SECRETARY COHEN EMPHASIZED THAT POINT (WEDNESDAY) DURING A
VISIT TO THE U-S AIRCRAFT CARRIER GEORGE WASHINGTON, ON STATION
IN THE GULF.
SPEAKING TO SEVERAL THOUSAND SAILORS AND AIRMEN, THE SECRETARY
SAID NO ONE WANTS TO RESORT TO WAR UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY
ESSENTIAL. BUT HE ALSO DELIVERED A FRESH WARNING TO IRAQ'S
PRESIDENT, SADDAM HUSSEIN.
/// COHEN ACT ///
HE HAS LIED TIME AND TIME AGAIN. HE HAS CHEATED OVER
AND OVER AGAIN. HE HAS DEVELOPED WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS. AND HE
HAS REFUSED TO ALLOW THE INSPECTORS TO CARRY OUT THEIR
MISSION. AND UNTIL THEY ARE ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT THAT
MISSION WITHOUT RESTRAINT ON HIS PART, THIS REGION
CANNOT BE SECURE.
/// END ACT ///
THE SECRETARY WAS FULL OF PRAISE FOR THE SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN ON
THE CARRIER. IT IS ONLY THROUGH YOUR STRENGTH, HE SAID, THAT
THERE IS ANY CHANCE FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/JWH
11-Feb-98 10:23 AM EST (1523 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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