DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243128
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ ATTACKS (L-ONITER)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S AND BRITISH MILITARY FORCES HAVE BEGUN ATTACKING
TARGETS IN IRAQ, BECAUSE OF BAGHDAD'S CONTINUED DEFIANCE OF U-N
WEAPONS INSPECTORS. PENTAGON PLANNERS ARE CALLING TODAY'S
(THURSDAY'S) OPERATION "DESERT FOX" (-- IN AN ECHO OF THE ALLIED
OPERATION THAT DEFEATED IRAQ IN THE GULF WAR). PRESIDENT CLINTON
SAYS THE JOINT FORCE AIMS TO DELIVER A STRONG AND SUSTAINED
SERIES OF AIR AND MISSILE STRIKES. THE OPERATION IS EXPECTED TO
LAST SEVERAL DAYS, AND CASUALTY AND DAMAGE REPORTS ARE BEGINNING
TO COME IN FROM IRAQ. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE
PENTAGON.
TEXT: ONE OF THE FIRST ACCOUNTS OF DAMAGE CAME FROM IRAQI LEADER
SADDAM HUSSEIN, WHO TOLD HIS COUNTRY "SEVERAL" TARGETS HAD BEEN
HIT.
EARLY REPORTS SAID U-S NAVY SHIPS LAUNCHED SCORES OF CRUISE
MISSILES AGAINST MILITARY AND SECURITY TARGETS IN IRAQ.
AMERICA'S TOP MILITARY OFFICER, GENERAL HUGH SHELTON, SAYS MANNED
AIRCRAFT FROM A U-S CARRIER AND LAND BASES IN THE GULF REGION ARE
ALSO PART OF THE OPERATION. HE SAYS THE BOMBS AND MISSILES ARE
INTENDED TO WRECK SADDAM HUSSEIN'S ABILITY TO MAKE WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION.
/// SHELTON ACT ///
WE HAVE VERY CAREFULLY SELECTED THOSE THINGS THAT ARE
VERY CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE THINGS THAT HE USES TO
TRANSPORT, THE THINGS HE USES TO PROTECT, THE THINGS HE
USES TO GUARD HIS FACILITIES, AS WELL AS DELIVERY
FACILITIES AND SOME PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES.
/// END ACT ///
PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS COMBINED BRITISH AND AMERICAN FORCES
LAUNCHED THE ATTACKS BECAUSE OF IRAQ'S CONTINUED REFUSAL TO ALLOW
U-N WEAPONS EXPERTS TO SEARCH FOR BANNED MUNITIONS.
MR. CLINTON SAYS HE ACTED QUICKLY TO AVOID LAUNCHING A STRIKE
DURING THE MUSLIM HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN, WHICH BEGINS (IN IRAQ
ON) SUNDAY.
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN STRONGLY DENIED THAT THE ASSAULT
ON IRAQ WAS TIMED TO DISTRACT THE U-S PUBLIC FROM CONGRESSIONAL
ACTION ON IMPEACHMENT CHARGES AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON. // OPT
// THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS POSTPONED ITS IMPEACHMENT
DEBATE, AND IS MEETING INSTEAD TODAY TO VOICE SUPPORT FOR THE U-S
MILITARY EFFORT AGAINST IRAQ. // END OPT //
/// COHEN ACT ///
I'M PREPARED TO PLACE 30 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE ON THE
LINE TO SAY THE ONLY FACTOR THAT WAS IMPORTANT IN THIS
DECISION IS WHAT IS IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S BEST
INTEREST. THERE WERE NO OTHER FACTORS.
/// END ACT ///
MR. COHEN SAYS HE IS RUSHING AMERICAN REINFORCEMENTS TO THE
GULF, INCLUDING DOZENS MORE STRIKE AIRCRAFT AND THOUSANDS OF
MILITARY PERSONNEL.
THE NEW FORCES INCLUDE RADAR-EVADING "STEALTH" FIGHTERS TO ATTACK
IRAQ, AND "PATRIOT" MISSILES TO PROTECT AMERICAN FORCES FROM
IRAQI "SCUD" MISSILES.
MR. COHEN SAYS U-S FORCES WILL "REMAIN AT THE READY" IN THE GULF
FOR "AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME," IN CASE SADDAM HUSSEIN
REBUILDS HIS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION OR ATTACKS HIS
NEIGHBORS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/WTW
17-Dec-98 12:41 AM EST (0541 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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