DATE=1/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225259
TITLE=COHEN / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES
WILL USE DIPLOMATIC MEANS, FOR THE TIME BEING, TO PRESS IRAQ TO
OPEN ITS FACILITIES TO WEAPONS INSPECTORS. CORRESPONDENT JIM
RANDLE REPORT MR. COHEN'S COMMENTS CAME IN JAKARTA DURING AN
ASIAN TOUR.
TEXT: IRAQ IS BLOCKING EFFORTS BY ONE TEAM OF U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTORS TO ENTER FACILITIES THEY BELIEVE HOLD BANNED WEAPONS,
OR THE MEANS TO PRODUCE THEM.
DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS PREPARED TO
PURSUE ALL REASONABLE AND RESPONSIBLE DIPLOMATIC MEANS TO RESOLVE
THE DISPUTE WITH IRAQ. HE SAYS FURTHER ACTION BY THE UNITED
NATIONS OR ITS MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL CHIEF U-N WEAPONS
INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER VISITS IRAQ MONDAY.
MR. BUTLER IS TO TALK WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS ABOUT GIVING
INSPECTORS COMPLETE ACCESS.
MR. COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES BRINGS PATIENCE AND RESOLVE TO
THE DISPUTE.
/// COHEN ACT. //
WE ARE NOT HEADING TOWARD ANY CONCLUSION AS SUCH. AS
THE PRESIDENT INDICATED, NOTHING HAS BEEN RULED OUT. WE
HOPE TO SOLVE THIS DIPLOMATICALLY AND PEACEFULLY.
/// END ACT ///
SHOULD WASHINGTON DECIDE TO USE FORCE IT CAN CALL ON HUNDREDS OF
WARPLANES, DOZENS OF SHIPS, AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ON WATCH IN
THE PERSIAN GULF REGION.
PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE NO PLANS TO CHANGE THE LEVEL OF
FORCE IN THE REGION. OFFICIALS TRAVELLING WITH THE SECRETARY
WILL NOT CONFIRM REPORTS A U-S AIRCRAFT CARRIER BASED IN JAPAN
MAY BE ASSIGNED TO REPLACE ONE OF THE BIG SHIPS ON STATION IN THE
GULF.
MR. COHEN IS IN JAKARTA WHERE HE DISCUSSED SECURITY AND ECONOMIC
CONCERNS WITH INDONESIAN PRESIDENT SUHARTO. HE NEXT TRAVELS TO
SINGAPORE.
NEB/RAE
14-Jan-98 9:59 AM EST (1459 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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