DATE=11/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241168
TITLE=COHEN / GULF (L)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN CONTINUES HIS VISIT
TO GULF NATIONS, SEEKING SUPPORT FOR ACTION TO PRESSURE IRAQ TO
COOPERATE WITH U-S WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS
FROM CAIRO.
TEXT: SECRETARY COHEN IS NOW IN BAHRAIN. EARLIER, HE LEFT
KUWAIT WITHOUT TALKING TO REPORTERS. THE U-S OFFICIAL STARTED
HIS GULF TOUR IN SAUDI ARABIA WHERE HE MET WITH KING FAHD.
LITTLE INFORMATION HAS COME FROM SECRETARY COHEN'S HASTILY
ORGANIZED VISIT TO THE GULF REGION, REPORTEDLY AIMED AT GAINING
SUPPORT FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION TO PRESSURE IRAQ.
AFTER MR. COHEN'S TALKS WITH KING FAHD, THE U-S DEFENSE
DEPARTMENT SAID THE UNITED STATES IS CONFIDENT SAUDI ARABIA WILL
BACK APPROPRIATE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE UNITED NATIONS.
HOWEVER, THE STATEMENT DID NOT SAY SAUDI ARABIA WOULD SUPPORT A
MILITARY STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ. FURTHERMORE, DIPLOMATIC SOURCES
QUOTED IN SAUDI ARABIA SAY KING FAHD TOLD SECRETARY COHEN THAT HE
DOES NOT WANT SAUDI ARABIA TO BE A SPRINGBOARD FOR ATTACKS
AGAINST IRAQ.
THE EMIR OF KUWAIT, THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT OPENLY SUPPORTED A
MILITARY OPTION DURING A SIMILAR WEAPONS INSPECTIONS DISPUTE IN
FEBRUARY, REPORTEDLY TOLD MR. COHEN HE PREFERS A PEACEFUL
SOLUTION TO THE NEW STAND OFF.
KUWAIT'S DEFENSE MINISTRY SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT KUWAIT IS NOT
A PARTY TO THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ AND
THAT IT ALWAYS STRIVES FOR PEACE. (SIGNED)
NEB/RHE/JWH
04-Nov-98 6:40 AM EST (1140 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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