DATE=12/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243454
TITLE=GULF TROOPS HOME (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: JUST DAYS AFTER A MAJOR SERIES OF AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ,
THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING HOME THOUSANDS OF TROOPS AND SOME
PLANES. DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE CUTS WILL LEAVE
A POWERFUL GORCE IN!PLACE TIAT COULD STRIKE IRAQ AGAIN IF IT
THREATENS ITS NEIGHBORS. JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.
TEXT: THE ORDER WILL MOVE SEVERAL DOZEN FIGHTERS, BOMBERS, AND
OTHER PLANES BACK TO U-S BASES. A NUMBER OF GROUND TROOPS ARE
ALSO HEADING HOME, AND THE THOUSANDS OF SAILORS AND MARINES
ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER "ENTERPRISE" AND ITS ESCORT SHIPS
WILL HEAD TO THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA ON A MORE ROUTINE PATROL.
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE CHANGES WILL CUT U-S
FORCES TO ABOUT 22-THOUSAND MEN AND WOMEN, WITH ABOUT 200
AIRCRAFT, AND A DOZEN SHIPS.
THAT IS ABOUT THE SAME STRENGTH AS U-S FORCES IN THE GULF BEFORE
TENSIONS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER SPARKED A SHARP INCREASE IN U-S
MILITARY POWER IN THE AREA.
MR. COHEN SAYS THE REMAINING FORCE WILL BE ENOUGH TO CARRY OUT
THE AIR STRIKES HE HAS PROMISED TO MAKE IF IRAQ RESUMES
PRODUCTION OF BANNED WEAPONS OR OTHERWISE THREATENS ITS
NEIGHBORS.
MR. COHEN IS VISITING U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL IN SAUDI ARABIA,
KUWAIT AND ABOARD THE U-S-S ENTERPRISE, THE AIR CRAFT CARRIER
THAU LAUNCHED MANY OF THE STRIKE AIR CRAFT THAT POUNDED IRAQI
TARGETS ON FOUR NIGHTS LAST WEEK.
MR. COHEN AND OTHER LEADERS OF THE U-S MILITARY MAKE A POINT OF
VISITING TROOPS AT CHRISTMAS TIME WHEN THE STRAIN OF STANDING
WATCH FAR FROM HOME AND FAMILY SEEMS GREATER THAN USUAL. MR.
COHEN TELLS SAILORS, AIRMEN, SOLDIERS AND MARINES THE COUNTRY
APPRECIATES THEIR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE, AND THAT THEY ARE DOING
A GOOD JOB.
BACK IN WASHINGTON, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ALSO PRAISED THE TROOPS'
PERFORMANCE, BUT SOME QUESTION THE WISDOM OF WASHINGTON'S OVERALL
POLICY TOWARD IRAQ.
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER GOSS HEADS THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON
INTELLIGENCE AND HE PLANS TO HOLD HEARINGS ON THE IRAQ RAIDS
EARLY NEXT YEAR.
/// GOSS ACT ///
AND NOW THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY
HAPPENED ABOUT MEASURING SUCCESS. WHAT HAVE WE
ACCOMPLISHED? AND THEN THERE IS THE FINAL QUESTION;
WHERE EXACTLY ARE WE GOING? IS THERE A PLAN, AND THE
EVIDENCE IS THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE NONE TO GO FORWARD
FROM HERE.
/// END ACT ///
MR. GOSS, A REPUBLICAN, SAYS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE LIKELY TO
ASK POINTED QUESTIONS OF THE DEMOCRATIC CLINTON ADMINISTRATION
ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE RAIDS. HE SAYS THEY ALSO WANT TO ASSESS
WHETHER THE ATTACKS HELPED OR HURT WASHINGTON'S EFFORTS TO STOP
THE SPREAD OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AND ITS HOPES OF
REMOVING IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN FROM POWER.
DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THE RAIDS WERE A "SUCCESS," WHILE
THE COMMANDER OG OPERATION DESERT FOX, GENERAL ANTHONY ZINNI,
SAYS THEY MAY HAVE BEEN THE MOST ACCURATE CAMPAIGN IN MILITARY
HISTORY.
MR. GOSS DOES NOT DISPUTE THAT, BUT SAYS HE WONDERS IF THE POLICY
IS AIMED AT THE RIGHT TARGETS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
23-Dec-98 11:17 AM EST (1617 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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