DATE=11/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241677
TITLE=PENTAGON-IRAQ SATURDAY (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE LOOKING CLOSELY AT IRAQ'S
OFFER TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS. BUT
THEY SAY THE FLOW OF U-S TROOPS TOWARD THE PERSIAN GULF CONTINUES
AS PLANNED, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE
REPORTS.
TEXT: A SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS THE PRESIDENT'S PRINCIPAL
MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC ADVISORS ARE GATHERED AT THE WHITE HOUSE
TO EXAMINE THE OFFER FROM BAGHDAD.
THE OFFICIAL TELLS V-O-A THAT THE GROUP INCLUDES DEFENSE
SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN. THE ADVISORS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE IF
THIS IS "THE SORT OF RETREAT" BY BAGHDAD DEMANDED BY THE U-N
SECURITY COUNCIL AND THE UNITED STATES.
THE CRISIS BEGAN WHEN IRAQ BLOCKED U-N OFFICIALS WHO ARE SUPPOSED
TO FIND AND DESTROY IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THE
UNITED STATES HAS MORE THAN 23-THOUSAND TROOPS, HUNDREDS OF
CRUISE MISSILES AND MORE THAN 170 PLANES ALREADY WITHIN STRIKING
DISTANCE OF IRAQ.
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED DEPLOYMENTS WOULD NEARLY DOUBLE THAT FIREPOWER
IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
U-S OFFICIALS HAVE SAID ALL OPTIONS, INCLUDING MILITARY OPTIONS,
ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION UNLESS BAGHDAD CHANGES ITS POSITION.
(SIGNED)
NEB/JR/GE
14-Nov-98 1:03 PM EST (1803 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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