DATE=12/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243304
TITLE=IRAQ ATTACKS RESUME (S-UPDATE)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS U-S - LED AIR
STRIKES HAVE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED IRAQI TARGETS -- AND WILL
CONTINUE. MR. COHEN SAYS THE RAIDS HAVE SET BACK SADDAM
HUSSEIN'S ABILITY TO THREATEN HIS NEIGHBORS WITH WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION BY AT LEAST A YEAR. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM
THE PENTAGON.
TEXT: MR. COHEN SAYS U-S AND BRITISH WARPLANES AND MISSILES ARE
ATTACKING TARGETS ACROSS IRAQ FOR A FOURTH CONSECUTIVE NIGHT. HE
SAYS ASSESSMENTS OF THE FIRST THREE WAVES OF ATTACKS ARE STILL
UNDERWAY, BUT HE SAYS HE IS SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS SO FAR.
/// COHEN ACT ///
THIS MILITARY ACTION IS SUBSTANTIAL. IT IS INFLICTING
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE ON THE SEVEN TARGET CATEGORIES WE
HAVE SELECTED.
/// END ACT ///
A TOP INTELLIGENCE OFFICER SAYS 32 IRAQI AIR-DEFENSE FACILITIES
WERE TARGETED; 14 WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED, AND RECONNAISSANCE
EXPERTS ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REST.
MR. COHEN SAYS OTHER ATTACKS ARE AIMED AT THE FACILITIES SADDAM
HUSSEIN USES TO DIRECT HIS MILITARY AND CONTROL HIS PEOPLE,
INCLUDING MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND TELEVISION
TRANSMITTERS. HE SAYS BOMBS ARE ALSO AIMED AT THE SECURITY
FORCES USED TO DEVELOP CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS, AS WELL AS
THE FORCES USED TO PROTECT AND HIDE THOSE BANNED MUNITIONS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/JR/WTW
19-Dec-98 4:22 PM EST (2122 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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