DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243192
TITLE=IRAQ STRIKE, UPDATE (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=AMMAN, JORDAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
(EDS:WATCH FOR UPDATES, ESPECIALLY TO INTRO.)
INTRO: U-S AND BRITISH FORCES IN THE GULF LAUNCHED A SECOND WAVE
OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ THURSDAY EVENING, IN RETALIATION FOR
BAGHDAD'S LACK OF FULL COOPERATION IN THE PROGRAM TO ELIMINATE
IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. V-O-A MIDDLE EAST
CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM AMMAN THAT IRAQI OFFICIALS
ARE REPORTING HEAVY CIVILIAN CASUALTIES, ALTHOUGH EXACT FIGURES
HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.
TEXT: FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS, U-S AND BRITISH
FORCES STRUCK TARGETS IN IRAQ THURSDAY. U-S OFFICIALS SAID THE
ATTACKS WERE AIMED AT MILITARY TARGETS AND AT FACILITIES WHICH
THEY SAID WERE NERVE CENTERS FOR IRAQI WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION.
THE FIRST WAVE OF STRIKES, -- BEFORE DAWN THURSDAY -- TARGETED
COMMUNICATIONS AND AERIAL DEFENSE SYSTEMS. U-S OFFICIALS SAID
THEY WERE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL.
IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER, MOHAMED SAEED AL-SAHAF, TOLD REPORTERS
NUMEROUS CIVILIAN AREAS IN BAGHDAD WERE STRUCK, INFLICTING HEAVY
CASUALTIES.
///AL-SAHAF ACT.///
THIS AGGRESSION AGAINST IRAQ IS A CRIME AGAINST INTERNATIONAL
LAW, THE U-N CHARTER. AND WE WILL HOLD OUR FULL RIGHTS TO HOLD
THEM RESPONSIBLE FULLY, THE AMERICANS AND THE BRITISH, ON ALL
CRIMES THEY ARE COMMITTING AGAINST OUR COUNTRY AND OUR PEOPLE.
///END ACT.///
THE IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER ACCUSED THE U-S AND BRITISH
GOVERNMENTS OF LYING, SAYING IN THE MONTH SINCE INSPECTIONS
RESUMED, MORE THAN 400 SITES HAVE BEEN VISITED, BUT ONLY FIVE
CASES WERE REPORTED OF NON-COOPERATION. HE ADDED THAT SOME OF THE
SITES HAD BEEN VISITED BY U-N INSPECTORS AND DECLARED CLEAN.
REACTION IN THE ARAB WORLD WAS ALSO GENERALLY CRITICAL.
DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE ATTACKS WERE STAGED IN EGYPT, JORDAN
AND IRAQ.
///REST OPT.///
A NUMBER OF ARAB GOVERNMENTS CONDEMNED THE STRIKES WHILE OTHERS
EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE VIOLENCE. MANY CALLED ON IRAQ TO
COOPERATE WITH THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION IN ORDER TO PREVENT ANY
FURTHER ATTACKS. THE ARAB LEAGUE SAID IT WAS CONSIDERING AN
EMERGENCY MEETING THIS WEEKEND TO DISCUSS THE MATTER.
MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE REGION EXPRESSED ANGER OVER THE AIR
STRIKES. THEY SAID ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT NECESSARILY SUPPORT THE
IRAQI GOVERNMENT, THEY CONDEMNED THE MILITARY ACTIONS WHICH HURT
INNOCENT CIVILIANS, WHO ALREADY ARE SUFFERING FROM YEARS OF
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/GE
17-Dec-98 3:41 PM EST (2041 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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