DATE=12/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243333
TITLE=IRAQ STRIKES END UPDATE (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=AMMAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN IS PRAISING WHAT HE CALLS
-- THE TRIUMPH OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE AFTER THE U-S AND BRITISH
GOVERNMENTS ENDED FOUR NIGHTS OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST HIS COUNTRY.
CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM AMMAN THE IRAQI LEADERS
REMARKS CAME AS OFFICIALS BEGAN TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE FROM THE
ATTACKS.
TEXT: IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN MADE HIS FIRST STATEMENT
SINCE THE END OF THE AIR STRIKES, APPEARING (SUNDAY) ON REGIONAL
TELEVISION TO TELL IRAQI'S THEY HAVE BEEN WORTHY OF HIS TRUST AND
GOD WILL CROWN THEIR HEARTS WITH VICTORY.
THE IRAQI LEADER TOLD HIS PEOPLE THEIR SACRIFICE HAD AWAKENED
THOSE WHO ARE ASLEEP, IN HIS WORDS, A LOT OF THEM IN THE ARAB
NATION AND IN THE WORLD.
U-S PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR
CALLED OFF THE AIR STRIKES SATURDAY, CLAIMING THE OPERATION
(CALLED DESERT FOX) WAS A SUCCESS. THEY SAID NEARLY 100 SITES IN
IRAQ WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED, BUT PLEDGED TO STRIKE AGAIN IF
IRAQ TRIES TO REBUILD ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
///OPT./// OFFICIALS SAID THE SITES INCLUDE MILITARY AND
INTELLIGENCE HEADQUARTERS, MISSILE PRODUCTION FACILITIES, AND
BARRACKS OF THE ELITE REPUBMICAN GUARD.
IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY A NUMBER OF CIVILIAN INSTALLATIONS WERE HIT,
INCLUDING OFGICE BUILDINGS, RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND SEVERAL
HOSPITALS. ///!END OPT ///
PRESIDENT CLINTON SUNDAY SAID HE HOPED THE U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTORS, WHO LEFT IRAQ LAST WEDNESDAY BEFORE THE STRIKES
BEGAN, WOULD RETURN.
BUT IRAQI VICE PRESIDENT TAHA YASSIN RAMADAN TOLD REPORTERS
ANYTHING RELATING TO THE INSPECTIONS WAS FINISHED. IRAQI
NEWSPAPERS (SUNDAY) PROCLAIMED VICTORY AND PREDICTED THE END OF
THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION THAT HAS BEEN OVERSEEING THE IRAQI
DISARMAMENT PROGRAM SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR IN 1991.
/// REST OPT ///
THE AIR STRIKES CAUSED ANGER AND FRUSTRATION IN THE ARAB WORLD
AND WERE CRITICIZED BY MOST ARAB GOVERNMENTS.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DEMONSTRATED (SUNDAY) IN MOROCCO.
SATURDAY, SCORES OF PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE WEST BANK DURING
CLASHES BETWEEN PALESTINIANS AND SECURITY FORCES. DEMONSTRATORS
IN SYRIA ATTACKED THE U-S AND BRITISH EMBASSIES AND SACKED THE
AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER AND AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE.
DEMONSTRATIONS WERE STAGED IN A HALF-DOZEN OTHER COUNTRIES ACROSS
THE REGION.
ANALYSTS NOTED POPULAR DEMONSTRATIONS ARE USUALLY RESTRICTED IN
MANY OF THESE NATIONS. THEY SAID THESE APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN
ALLOWED TO PERMIT CITIZENS TO EXPRESS THEIR ANGER. THEY ALSO
NOTED THE DEMONSTRATIONS PERMITTED A SHOW OF SOLIDARITY BY SOME
GOVERNMENTS WHICH WERE RELUCTANT TO OFFICIALLY CONDEMN THE AIR
STRIKES TOO HARSHLY. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/RAE
20-Dec-98 2:50 PM EST (1950 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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