DATE=11/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241186
TITLE=COHEN-IRAQ-GULF (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IS
IN QATAR AFTER 'PRODUCTIVE' TALKS IN KUWAIT AND BAHRAIN
WEDNESDAY. OFFICIALS SAY HE IS TRYING TO RALLY SUPPORT FOR
POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION IF BAGHDAD REFUSES TO ALLOW U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTORS TO RESUME THEIR WORK. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM
THE PENTAGON.
TEXT: DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE SECRETARY RECEIVED 'STRONG
SUPPORT' FOR U-S POLICY REGARDING IRAQ. BUT THE OFFICIALS WOULD
NOT SAY IF THAT SUPPORT INCLUDES PERMISSION FOR U-S FORCES TO
LAUNCH AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ FROM THEIR TERRITORY. PENTAGON
OFFICIALS WOULD NOT SAY IF THE SECRETARY SOUGHT SUCH
PERMISSION.
MEANTIME, 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.
AFTER MR. COHEN'S TALKS ON TUESDAY WITH SAUDI KING FAHD, U-S
OFFICIALS SAID THE UNITED STATES IS 'CONFIDENT' SAUDI ARABIA WILL
BACK 'APPROPRIATE ACTION' TO SUPPORT THE UNITED NATIONS.
BUT A NEWS STORY FROM SAUDI ARABIA (BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
QUOTED DIPLOMATIC SOURCES SAYING SAUDI ARABIA DOES NOT WANT TO BE
A 'SPRINGBOARD' FOR SUCH ATTACKS. PENTAGON OFFICIALS CALLED THE
NEWS ACCOUNT 'INACCURATE' BUT GAVE NO OTHER DETAILS.
IRAQ PROVOKED THE CRISIS LAST WEEKEND BY BLOCKING U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTIONS UNTIL OFFICIALS SET A TIMETABLE TO END ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS. THE U-N IMPOSED SANCTIONS WHEN IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN
1990. IN THE AGREEMENT THAT ENDED THE GULF WAR, BAGHDAD PROMISED
TO GET RID OF ITS PROGRAMS AIMED AT DEVELOPING NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL
AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS AND MISSILES TO DELIVER THEM OVER LONG
DISTANCES. IRAQ ALSO PROMISED TO ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS TO MAKE
CERTAIN BAGHDAD WAS NOT CHEATING ON THE BARGAIN.
SECRETARY COHEN IS EXPECTED TO VISIT MORE GULF NATIONS AND MAKE
STOPS IN TURKEY AND EUROPE BEFORE RETURNING TO WASHINGTON.
(SIGNED)
NEB/JR/LTD/KL
04-Nov-98 1:03 PM EST (1803 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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