DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243160
TITLE=COHEN/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS EARLY ASSESSMENTS
FROM A FIRST WAVE OF U-S AND BRITISH MISSILE ATTACKS ON IRAQ
INDICATE SEVERE DAMAGE TO SOME OF PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S KEY
DEFENSE AND INTELLIGENCE SITES. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE
REPORTS A SECOND WAVE OF AIRSTRIKES COULD HIT IRAQ TODAY
(THURSDAY).
TEXT: DAYBREAK IN BAGHDAD BROUGHT THE FIRST ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE
INFLICTED BY HUNDREDS OF CRUISE MISSILES, WHICH DEFENSE SECRETARY
COHEN SAYS APPEAR TO HAVE CRIPPLED KEY IRAQI TARGETS.
// COHEN ACT //
WHAT THIS IS REALLY ALL ABOUT IS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO
TAKE DOWN AND DEGRADE HIS CAPACITY TO THREATEN HIS
NEIGHBORS AND ALSO HIS CAPACITY TO DELIVER WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION. THERE WILL BE SOME CASUALTIES. WE
HAVE TRIED TO MINIMIZE THE HARM TO INNOCENT PEOPLE.
// END ACT //
NO AMERICAN CASUALTIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN WHAT IS BEING
DESCRIBED AS THE LARGEST U-S MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ SINCE
THE END OF THE 1991 GULF WAR. SECRETARY COHEN HAD NO INFORMATION
ON IRAQI REPORTS THE AIRSTRIKES KILLED SEVERAL CIVILIANS.
ALTHOUGH SENSITIVE TO MUSLIM CONCERNS, THE U-S DEFENSE CHIEF SAYS
THE APPROACH OF THE MUSLIM HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN WILL NOT AFFECT
MILITARY PLANNING.
THE SECRETARY SOUNDED AN UNUSUALLY EXPLICIT WARNING ABOUT NEW
THREATS OF TERRORISM AIMED AT WESTERN TARGETS.
// SECOND COHEN ACT //
I HAVE FOLLOWED THE INTELLIGENCE VERY CLOSELY. A NUMBER
OF ATTACKS HAVE BEEN PLANNED ACCORDING TO INTELLIGENCE,
SEPARATE AND APART FROM THIS PARTICULAR ACTION. AND SO
WE HAVE TO BE ON ALERT.
// END ACT //
THE U-S AND BRITISH AIRSTRIKES COULD CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL DAYS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/RAE
17-Dec-98 9:00 AM EST (1400 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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