DATE=11/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241106
TITLE=COHEN / GULF (L ONLY)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: AFTER A STOPOVER IN LONDON FOR TALKS WITH BRITISH
OFFICIALS, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN HAS DEPARTED BRITAIN
FOR TALKS WITH OTHER U-S ALLIES ABOUT WAYS TO FORCE IRAQ TO GET
RID OF ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. V-O-A PENTAGON
CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE HAS A REPORT..
TEXT: AFTER THEIR TALKS, MR. COHEN AND BRITISH DEFENSE MINISTER
GEORGE ROBERTSON ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT SAYING THE 'ONLY WAY
OPEN' TO IRAQ WAS FOR IT TO COMPLY FULLY WITH THE U-N RESOLUTIONS
DEMANDING AN END TO IRAQ'S BANNED WEAPONS PROGRAMS.
THE DEFENSE MINISTERS SAY THE UNITED NATIONS MUST CONTINUE
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ, UNTIL AND UNLESS BAGHDAD KEEPS
PROMISES TO STOP PRODUCING NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL
WEAPONS AND THE MISSILES TO DELIVER THEM.
IRAQ RECENTLY BLOCKED MOST WORK BY THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS. IN
THE AGREEMENT THAT ENDED THE GULF WAR, IRAQ PROMISED TO ALLOW U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO VERIFY THAT THE WEAPONS PROGRAMS ARE GONE.
PENTAGON OFFICIALS ARE BEING UNUSUALLY SECRETIVE ABOUT MR.
COHEN'S MISSION, SAYING ONLY THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON SENT THE
DEFENSE SECRETARY ABROAD FOR TALKS WITH U-S ALLIES. PENTAGON
OFFICIALS REFUSE TO TELL REPORTERS WHICH COUNTRIES THE SECRETARY
WILL VISIT.
MILITARY OFFICIALS USUALLY TELL JOURNALISTS WHERE THE SECRETARY
IS GOING AND A FEW REPORTERS GENERALLY ACCOMPANY MR. COHEN ON
FOREIGN TRIPS. A PENTAGON OFFICIAL SAYS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE
HASTILY ARRANGED TRIP IS STILL EVOLVING AND MEETINGS WITH FOREIGN
LEADERS ARE STILL BEING ARRANGED. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/KL
03-Nov-98 12:26 PM EST (1726 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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