DATE=5/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-231807
TITLE=GULF TROOPS HOME (S-ONLY-UPDATE)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE HAS NOT DECIDED WHETHER OR
NOT TO REDUCE U-S MILITARY FORCES NEAR IRAQ. BUT ONE AIRCRAFT
CARRIER, WITH THOUSANDS OF SAILORS AND DOZENS OF PLANES, IS
SCHEDULED TO HEAD HOME BEFORE A REPLACEMENT SHIP IS SCHEDULED TO
ARRIVE. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.
TEXT: CURRENTLY THERE ARE 35-THOUSAND-800 AMERICAN SAILORS,
SOLDIERS, MARINES AND AIRMEN WATCHING IRAQ. THEY ARE DEPLOYED IN
NEIGHBORING NATIONS AND ON SHIPS IN THE PERSIAN GULF. THE
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS U-S-S STENNIS AND THE U-S-S INDEPENDENCE ARE
THE BACKBONE OF THE U-S FLEET THERE.
THE INDEPENDENCE IS THE OLDEST SHIP IN THE U-S NAVY AND IS SLATED
TO HEAD HOME ONE LAST TIME AT THE END OF MAY. AND NAVY
OFFICIALS SAY THE SCHEDULED REPLACEMENT, THE U-S-S EISENHOWER,
ISN'T EVEN SLATED TO LEAVE ITS AMERICAN HOME PORT UNTIL MID JUNE.
PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THAT LEAVES THE PRESIDENT WITH A CHOICE --
KEEP THE OLD SHIP ON STATION FOR A WHILE LONGER, OR CONTEND WITH
REDUCED FORCES FOR A FEW WEEKS.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY 355 AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO PERSIAN
GULF COMMANDERS, THE DEPARTURE OF AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER REDUCES
THAT BY 74. IT ALSO CUTS THE NUMBER OF U-S SERVICE MEMBERS IN
THE AREA BY ABOUT FIVE-THOUSAND. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/MMK
06-May-98 3:36 PM EDT (1936 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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