DATE=4/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-230395
TITLE=GULF TROOPS HOME (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A TOP PENTAGON OFFICIAL SAYS THE UNITED STATES MIGHT
REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SHIPS, PLANES AND TROOPS NOW PATROLLING NEAR
IRAQ. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO
MAKE A DECISION IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
TEXT: RIGHT NOW THERE ARE ABOUT 300 AIRCRAFT, 17 SHIPS, AND
36-THOUSAND U-S SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND MARINES KEEPING
WATCH ON IRAQ.
PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS MOVING PEOPLE, SHIPS AND PLANES
BACK AND FORTH TO THE GULF IS COSTLY, AND THE FINANCIAL STRAIN IS
FORCING THE U-S MILITARY TO ASK CONGRESS FOR EXTRA MONEY.
HE SAYS KEEPING A LARGER-THAN-USUAL FORCE IN THE GULF REGION IS
LEAVING MILITARY UNITS IN OTHER AREAS SHORT-HANDED, AND VERY
BUSY.
MR. BACON SAYS IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN IS MAKING FEWER
THREATS THESE DAYS, SO WASHINGTON IS CONSIDERING PLANS TO BRING
SOME FORCES, PERHAPS AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER, HOME.
/// BACON ACT ///
THE LANGUAGE IS LESS BELICOSE, LESS THREATENING, AND HIS
ACTIONS HAVE BEEN MORE RECEPTIVE TO U-N SPECIAL
COMMISSION INSPECTORS. THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS THAT
HAVE CHANGED.
/// END ACT ///
MR. BACON SAYS THE UNITED STATES BUILT UP ITS FORCES IN THE
PERSIAN GULF AFTER IRAQ THREATENED TO SHOOT DOWN U-S PILOTED SPY
PLANES ON ASSIGNMENT FOR THE UNITED NATIONS, AND OTHER PLANES
PATROLLING THE NO-FLY ZONE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ.
BAGHDAD WAS ALSO BLOCKING INSPECTIONS BY THE U-N SPECIAL
COMMISSION CHARGED WITH FINDING AND DESTROYING IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION. BUT SINCE FEBRUARY, IRAQ ALLOWED INSPECTIONS
OF SENSITIVE SITES, AND HAS STOPPED THREATENING TO SHOOT DOWN U-S
AND ALLIED AIRCRAFT. MR. BACON SAYS IF SOME AMERICANS COME HOME,
THEY COULD RETURN TO IRAQ QUICKLY IF SADDAM HUSSEIN RE-IGNITES
THE CONFRONTATION WITH WASHINGTON. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/WDC/JO
28-Apr-98 4:30 PM EDT (2030 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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