DATE=5/25/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232750
TITLE=COHEN / GULF (S-O)
BYLINE=MICHAEL BOWMAN
DATELINE=SANTIAGO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN HAS CONFIRMED THE
UNITED STATES INTENDS TO SCALE BACK ITS FORCES IN THE PERSIAN
GULF TO THE APPROXIMATE LEVELS THAT EXISTED BEFORE LAST
NOVEMBER'S STAND-OFF WITH IRAQ OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.
V-O-A'S MICHAEL BOWMAN REPORTS FROM SANTIAGO, CHILE, WHERE MR.
COHEN IS ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT.
TEXT: SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL REMAIN
VIGILANT OF IRAQ AND RETAIN A POTENT FORCE IN THE PERSIAN GULF.
HE SAYS IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN SHOULD TAKE NO COMFORT
FROM THE PARING DOWN OF THE U-S MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE REGION.
// COHEN ACT //
HE REMAINS A THREAT TO THE REGION. WE WILL CONTINUE A
PRESENCE OF ROUGHLY 17 TO 20-THOUSAND (TROOPS). AGAIN,
THAT FORCE WILL HAVE A GOOD DEAL OF PRE-POSITION
EQUIPMENT. IT WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED
FIREPOWER.
// END ACT //
SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL RETAIN A SINGLE
AIRCRAFT CARRIER GROUP IN THE GULF, AND BOOST THE U-S CAPABILITY
TO STRIKE IRAQ WITH CRUISE MISSILES. HE SAYS U-S ALLIES SUPPORT
THE FORCE REDUCTION, WHICH WILL BEGIN IN A FEW DAYS AND BE
COMPLETED IN SEVERAL WEEKS. (SIGNED)
NEB/MCB/MMK
25-May-98 8:43 AM EDT (1243 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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