DATE=12/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243517
TITLE=IRAQ ATTACK (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IRAQ'S OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY SAYS IRAQI AIR DEFENSES FIRED
AT FOREIGN AIR CRAFT SATURDAY. THE ALLEGED INCIDENT FOLLOWS A
MAJOR BOMBING CAMPAIGN BY U-S AND BRITISH FORCES EARLIER THIS
MONTH. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.
TEXT: THE IRAQI NEWS AGENCY SAYS JET PLANES, FLYING FROM THE
SOUTH, VIOLATED IRAQI AIR SPACE. THE REPORT SAYS IRAQI FORCES
FIRED AIR DEFENSE WEAPONS AND FORCED THE INTRUDERS TO DUMP THEIR
BOMBS HARMLESSLY AND FLEE.
A PENTAGON PRESS SPOKESMAN SAYS HE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE
INCIDENT.
A SIMILAR ALLEGED INCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO DREW A STRONG DENIAL
FROM PENTAGON OFFICIALS.
U-S, BRITISH AND OTHER FORCES ROUTINELY PATROL LARGE PARTS OF
IRAQ TO PREVENT IRAQI WARPLANES FROM ATTACKING SHIA MUSLIMS IN
THE SOUTH AND KURDS IN THE NORTH. U-S OFFICIALS SAY IF IRAQI
FORCES THREATEN ALLIED PLANES BY POINTING CERTAIN KINDS OF RADAR
AT THEM OR BY FIRING WEAPONS, THE PILOTS ARE PERMITTED TO DEFEND
THEMSELVES BY FIRING MISSILES BACK. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/GE
26-Dec-98 10:08 AM EST (1508 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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