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DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243175
TITLE=U-S IRAQ ATTACKS -  HOLDING SPOT (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY A SECOND NIGHT OF ATTACKS IS TAKING
PLACE AGAINST IRAQ, INCLUDING BOTH BRITISH AND AMERICAN AIRCRAFT.
TOP U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE FIRST NIGHT OF ATTACKS SERIOUSLY 
DAMAGED SOME KEY INTELLIGENCE AND DEFENSE TARGETS.  IRAQI 
OFFICIALS SAY THE ATTACKS KILLED AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE AND INJURED 
DOZENS MORE. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON WHERE 
OFFICIALS ARE EXAMINING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER INTELLIGENCE
TO ASSESS THE ATTACKS. 
TEXT: MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THE FIRST TARGETS OF THE AIR ATTACKS
WERE ANTI-AIRCRAFT RADARS AND WEAPONS.  ONCE THE IRAQI AIR 
DEFENSES ARE SILENCED, OFFICIALS SAY U-S AND BRITISH PLANES WILL 
BE ABLE TO STRIKE OTHER TARGETS IN RELATIVE SAFETY.  A SENIOR 
DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS THERE ARE STILL AIR DEFENSE TARGETS TO HIT.
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE MAIN TARGET OF THE 
CAMPAIGN IS IRAQ'S PROGRAM TO PRODUCE NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL AND 
CHEMICAL WEAPONS, AND THE MISSILES THAT COULD DELIVER THEM.   
MR. COHEN WILL NOT SAY HOW LONG THE CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE.  IN A
V-O-A INTERVIEW, THE COMMANDER OF THE PLANES BASED ON THE U-S 
CARRIER ENTERPRISE, CAPTAIN TOM HAGEN, SAYS THE CAMPAIGN CAN GO 
ON FOR QUITE A WHILE.
                          /// HAGEN ///
         WE ARE PREPARED TO SUSTAIN THIS AS LONG AS WE ARE TASKED
         TO DO IT.
                         /// END ACT ///
NAVY CAPTAIN HAGAN SAYS THE FIRST NIGHT OF RAIDS WENT WELL FROM 
HIS PERSPECTIVE.  
IRAQ SAYS THE RAIDS STRUCK SOME CIVILIANS.  PRESIDENT CLINTON 
CALLS THE DEATHS AND INJURIES REGRETTABLE, BUT UNAVOIDABLE.
                       /// CLINTON ACT ///
         WE DID EVERYTHING WE COULD TO CAREFULLY TARGET MILITARY 
         AND NATIONAL SECURITY TARGETS, AND TO MINIMIZE CIVILIAN 
         CASUALTIES.
                        /// END ACT /// 
PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS IRAQ'S CONTINUED REFUSAL TO FULLY 
COOPERATE WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS MADE THE ATTACKS NECESSARY.
OVERNIGHT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS SAY MOST AMERICANS SUPPORT THE 
ATTACKS.  MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE DIVIDED.  SOME QUESTION WHETHER
THE TIMING OF THE ATTACK ON IRAQ MIGHT HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY 
THE PENDING CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE ON THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT 
CLINTON.  DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS MILITARY CONSIDERATIONS, 
NOT POLITICAL MANEUVERING, DROVE THE DECISION TO STRIKE IRAQ. 
(SIGNED)
NEB/JR/GE
17-Dec-98 12:40 PM EST (1740 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.