DATE=11/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241535
TITLE=MORE FORCES TO GULF UPDATE - L -- CQ
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS
RUSHING 129 MORE PLANES, STRONGER MISSILE DEFENSES, AND THOUSANDS
OF GROUND TROOPS TO THE PERSIAN GULF. THE REINFORCEMENTS NEARLY
DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF PLANES AVAILABLE TO U-S COMMANDERS IF THE
PRESIDENT DECIDES TO STRIKE IRAQ. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS
FROM THE PENTAGON.
TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE NEW FORCES WILL GIVE
U-S COMMANDERS 'MORE FLEXIBILITY AND MORE OPTIONS' IF THE
PRESIDENT DECIDES TO BOMB IRAQ. EIGHTY FOUR OF THE NEW PLANES
ARE COMBAT AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING A DOZEN F-117'S THAT ARE DESIGNED
TO EVADE RADAR AND STRIKE HEAVILY DEFENDED TARGETS.
/// OPT /// MORE PUNCH COMES FROM A DOZEN B-52 BOMBERS CARRYING
A TOTAL OF 96 AIR LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILES. THE HUGE, LUMBERING
PLANES ARE HEADED FOR THE TINY ISLAND OF DIEGO GARCIA IN THE
INDIA OCEAN. THAT'S WITHIN EASY STRIKING DISTANCE OF IRAQ FOR
THESE LONG RANGE AIR CRAFT. AND THE PENTAGON IS ALSO SENDING
HALF A DOZEN SUPERSONIC B-1 HEAVY BOMBERS, EACH CAPABLE OF
CARRYING MANY TONS OF BOMBS. /// END OPT ///
U-S FORCES AND FRIENDS IN THE GULF WILL ALSO BE GETTING MORE
PROTECTION FROM IRAQI MISSILES. THREE BATTERIES OF PATRIOT
MISSILES ARE ALREADY STATIONED IN THE AREA, AND THE CREWS TO
OPERATE THEM WILL BE FLOWN IN QUICKLY. TWO MORE BATTERIES OF
PATRIOTS WILL SOON BE ON THE WAY FROM THE UNITED STATES. THE
PATRIOT MISSILE IS INTENDED TO BLOCK ATTACKS FROM IRAQ'S
BALLISTIC MISSILE FORCES.
AND THREE THOUSAND SOLDIERS FROM AN ARMORED BRIGADE ARE ON THE
WAY TO JOIN 15-HUNDRED ALREADY IN KUWAIT ON EXERCISES, BEEFING UP
PROTECTION FOR ONE OF IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS. THE ARMORED VEHICLES
THESE SOLDIERS NEED TO FIGHT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.
THESE REINFORCEMENTS JOIN 23-THOUSAND-500 MILITARY PERSONNEL
ALREADY STATIONED WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF IRAQ. THE CURRENT
FORCE IS EQUIPPED WITH MORE THAN 170 AIRCRAFT AND MANY WARSHIPS.
EIGHT OF THE NAVAL VESSELS CAN LAUNCH LONG RANGE CRUISE MISSILES
THAT CAN STRIKE TARGETS DEEP IN IRAQ. TUESDAY, DEFENSE SECRETARY
WILLIAM COHEN SPEEDED UP DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL WARSHIPS,
MARINES, AND PLANES.
MEANTIME, THE HIGHEST RANKING OFFICER IN THE ONE POINT FOUR
MILLION MEMBER U-S MILITARY, GENERAL HUGH SHELTON, SAYS THERE IS
NO NEED FOR FURTHER WARNINGS OR ULTIMATUMS FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN.
/// SHELTON ACT 93 ///
WE HAVE TRIED OVER THE YEARS TO GET HIM TO COMPLY WITH UNITED
NATIONS RESOLUTIONS AND TO HONOR THESE COMMITMENTS, THAT HE DOES
IN FACT POSE A THREAT TO AN AREA THAT IS IN THE VITAL NATIONAL
INTERESTS OF THE UNTIED STATES. AND THAT HE POSES A THREAT NOT
ONLY TO HIS NEIGHBORS BUT TO THE 20-THOUSAND MEN AND WOMEN OF THE
UNITED STATES THAT SERVE IN THAT REGION.
/// END ACT ///
GENERAL SHELTON SPOKE ON AMERICAN TELEVISION, (INCLUDING THE NBC
NETWORK). HE SAYS WHEN SADDAM HUSSEIN LOST THE GULF WAR, ONE OF
THE CONDITIONS FOR PEACE WAS AN AGREEMENT TO GET RID OF HIS
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. HE ALSO PROMISED TO ALLOW UNITED
NATIONS OFFICIALS TO CHECK IRAQI FACILITIES TO MAKE CERTAIN THE
THREAT TO HIS NEIGHBORS IS GONE. BUT SINCE THE END OF OCTOBER,
BAGHDAD HAS BLOCKED MOST ACTIONS BY THESE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS,
AND THE INSPECTION TEAMS HAVE PACKED UP TO LEAVE IRAQ.
GENERAL SHELTON AND OTHER U-S OFFICIALS SAY NO DECISION HAS
BEEN MADE TO STRIKE IRAQ ---- YET. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/WDC/GE
11-Nov-98 3:28 PM EST (2028 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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