DATE=11/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241130
TITLE=COHEN / SAUDI / IRAQ (L-UPDATE)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN WENT TO RIYADH TUESDAY TO
DISCUSS THE IRAQ CRISIS WITH SAUDI KING FAHD. THE TALKS FOLLOWED
EARLIER DISCUSSIONS IN LONDON WITH BRITAIN'S DEFENSE MINISTER,
GEORGE ROBERTSON. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE TALKS IN LONDON, RIYADH,
AND ELSEWHERE ARE FOCUSING ON FORCING IRAQ TO GET RID OF ITS
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. MORE NOW FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT
JIM RANDLE.
TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS CALL THE SAUDI TALKS "PRODUCTIVE," AND
SAY SECRETARY COHEN IS CONFIDENT THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE THE
SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN SUPPORT OF THE
UNITED NATIONS.
PENTAGON OFFICIALS WOULD NOT SAY IF MR. COHEN ASKED KING FAHD
FOR PERMISSION TO USE SAUDI TERRITORY TO LAUNCH AIR STRIKES, NOR
WOULD THEY SAY IF THAT PERMISSION WAS GRANTED.
AT THE LONDON TALKS, THE BRITISH AND AMERICAN DEFENSE MINISTERS
SAID IRAQ MUST REVERSE ITS DECISION TO BLOCK WEAPONS INSPECTIONS
BY U-N OFFICIALS. THE TWO CLOSE ALLIES SAY "ALL OPTIONS REMAIN ON
THE TABLE" -- A BLUNT REFERENCE TO THE MASSED FORCES -- 15
MISSILE-ARMED WARSHIPS, 174 AIRCRAFT AND THOUSANDS OF U-S
MILITARY PERSONNEL -- ON STATION NEAR IRAQ.
IRAQ TRIGGERED A CRISIS LAST WEEKEND BY BLOCKING INSPECTIONS
UNTIL OFFICIALS SET A TIMETABLE TO END ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. THE
U-N IMPOSED THE STRICT SANCTIONS AFTER SADDAM HUSSEIN'S ARMY
INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990. IN THE AGREEMENT THAT ENDED THE GULF
WAR, BAGHDAD PROMISED TO GET RID OF ITS NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL AND
CHEMICAL WEAPONS, AS WELL AS THE MISSILES TO DELIVER THEM. IRAQ
ALSO PROMISED TO ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS TO MAKE CERTAIN BAGHDAD WAS
NOT CHEATING ON THE BARGAIN.
PENTAGON SPOKESMAN MIKE DOUBLEDAY SAYS WASHINGTON AND ITS ALLIES
WILL KEEP DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY PRESSURE ON IRAQ UNTIL SADDAM
HUSSEIN MOVES TO MEET U-N DEMANDS.
/// DOUBLEDAY ACT ///
THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH U-N
SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS REQUIRING AN END TO IRAQ'S
WEAPONS-OF-MASS-DESTRUCTION PROGRAM.
/// END ACT ///
PENTAGON OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN UNUSUALLY SECRETIVE ABOUT SECRETARY
COHEN'S TRIP, REFUSING TO SAY IN ADVANCE WHICH NATIONS HE WILL BE
VISITING. MR. COHEN IS EXPECTED TO HEAD FOR TALKS IN KUWAIT ON
WEDNESDAY AND IN TURKEY ON FRIDAY, BEFORE MAKING STOPS IN EUROPE
ON THE WAY BACK TO WASHINGTON.
/// REST OPT ///
TURKEY HOSTS A U-S LED FORCE THAT PATROLS A NO-FLY ZONE OVER
NORTHERN IRAQ. THE TERRITORY IS HELD BY KURDS AND BROKE AWAY
FROM BAGHDAD'S CONTROL AFTER THE GULF WAR.
BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES CAME CLOSE TO BOMBING IRAQ LAST
FEBRUARY, WHEN BAGHDAD BLOCKED ARMS INSPECTIONS. THE CRISIS WAS
RESOLVED AT THE LAST MINUTE BY U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFFI ANNAN.
(SIGNED)
NEB/JR/WTW
03-Nov-98 6:20 PM EST (2320 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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