DATE=11/7/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241347
TITLE=COHEN-IRAQ-RETURN (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS 'TIME IS SHORT' FOR
IRAQ TO COMPLY WITH UNITED NATIONS DEMANDS TO GET RID OF ITS
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. MR. COHEN SPOKE ON HIS RETURN TO
WASHINGTON AFTER A FOUR-DAY, ELEVEN-NATION TOUR OF THE MIDDLE
EAST AND EUROPE. HE WAS TRYING TO RALLY SUPPORT FOR FIRM ACTION
TO FORCE IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN TO COOPERATE WITH U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTORS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS.
TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAID HE TRIED TO CONVEY 'JUST HOW
SERIOUSLY' THE UNITED STATES VIEWS THE IRAQ CRISIS IN
CONSULTATIONS WITH GULF STATES AND OTHER NATIONS. WHILE NO ARAB
NATION PUBLICLY AGREED TO ALLOW U-S FORCES TO LAUNCH STRIKES FROM
ITS TERRITORY, MR. COHEN SAYS HE IS SATISFIED WITH THE SUPPORT HE
RECEIVED.
/// COHEN ACT ///
BASED ON OUR CONVERSATIONS, WE BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE ALL THE
SUPPORT THAT WILL BE NECESSARY IF WE HAVE TO TAKE ANY MILITARY
ACTION. THAT'S A DECISION THAT WILL HAVE TO BE MADE BY THE
PRESIDENT, BUT I'M SATISFIED, AFTER MY CONVERSATIONS THAT WE CAN
CARRY OUT THE MILITARY OPTION THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE NECESSARY.
/// END ACT ///
MR. COHEN SAYS IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN MUST FULLY COMPLY WITH
U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS DEMANDING THAT HE GET RID OF HIS
NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS, AND ALLOW U-N OFFICIALS
TO MAKE SURE HE IS NOT CHEATING ON HIS AGREEMENT.
BAGHDAD PROMISED TO GIVE UP ITS PROGRAMS TO PRODUCE WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT THAT ENDED THE GULF
WAR. THE U-N IMPOSED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON BAGHDAD WHEN IRAQ
INVADED KUWAIT, SPARKING THE GULF WAR. IRAQ HAS BLOCKED
INSPECTIONS BY U-N OFFICIALS TRYING TO FIND AND DESTROY THE
BANNED WEAPONS. BAGHDAD SAYS THE INSPECTIONS WON'T RESUME UNTIL
SANCTIONS ARE ENDED. THE U-N SAYS SANCTIONS MUST STAY UNTIL THE
WEAPONS ARE GONE.
MR. COHEN SAYS IT IS TIME TO BE VERY FIRM WITH IRAQ AND OFFER 'NO
CARROTS OR COMPROMISES' TO BAGHDAD. THE SECRETARY SAYS HE WILL
BRIEF THE PRESIDENT ON HIS TRIP SOON.
EARLIER FRIDAY, MR. COHEN SPOKE WITH LEADERS IN JORDAN AND
TURKEY. TURKEY ALLOWS U-S AND BRITISH WARPLANES TO PATROL PART
OF NORTHERN IRAQ FROM A BASE IN SOUTHERN TURKEY. BUT THE TURKISH
PRESIDENT AND DEFENSE MINISTER DID NOT OFFER PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR
MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ. THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST
IRAQ ALSO HURT NEIGHBORING TURKEY WHICH WAS ONE OF BAGHDAD'S
MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS.
AT AN EARLIER STOP IN JORDAN, CROWN PRINCE HASSAN URGED A
DIPLOMATIC, RATHER THAN A MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS.
LEADERS IN OTHER ARAB NATIONS CRITICIZED SADDAM HUSSEIN FOR
FLOUTING U-N RESOLUTIONS, BUT URGED A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT TO THE
DISPUTE.
PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE UNITED STATES HAS HUNDREDS OF CRUISE
MISSILES AND ABOUT 50 AIRCRAFT THAT CAN STRIKE IRAQ FROM SHIPS.
THE OFFICIALS SAY THESE WEAPONS COULD HIT IRAQI TARGETS WITH
DEVASTATING FORCE AND DON'T NEED LAND BASES OR THE PERMISSION OF
FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO OPERATE.
BUT U-S MILITARY LEADERS SAY BASING AGREEMENTS WOULD BE VERY
HELPFUL BECAUSE THEY WOULD ALLOW ANOTHER 120 LAND-BASED PLANES TO
JOIN ANY STRIKE, MAKING IT MORE POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE. (SIGNED
NEB/JR/PLM
07-Nov-98 1:51 AM EST (0651 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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