DATE=1/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225214
TITLE=PENTAGON/IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT HAS NO PLANS TO SEND
MORE TROOPS OR WEAPONS TO THE PERSIAN GULF TO DEAL WITH THE
LATEST CRISIS IN IRAQ. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, OFFICIALS SAY
A ROBUST FORCE IS ALREADY THERE.
TEXT: WHEN THE CONFLICT OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS HEATED UP
LATE LAST YEAR, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHED A SIZEABLE
MILITARY BUILDUP IN THE GULF. THAT FORCE REMAINS IN PLACE -- TWO
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS, AT LEAST 15 OTHER SHIPS, AND MORE THAN THREE-
HUNDRED PLANES AND HELICOPTERS BASED AT SEA OR ON LAND.
THE PENTAGON WILL KEEP TWO CARRIERS ON STATION FOR THE FORSEEABLE
FUTURE, WITH ONE OF THE SHIPS THERE NOW BEING REPLACED EARLY IN
MARCH. THE U-S AIR FLEET ALSO INCLUDES B-52 HEAVY BOMBERS AND
F-117 "STEALTH" ATTACK PLANES. THE NAVY HAS BROUGHT IN WHAT
OFFICIALS CALL A LARGE NUMBER OF TOMAHAWK MISSILES, WHICH HAVE
BEEN FIRED INTO IRAQ SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST.
HOWEVER, OFFICIALS EMPHASIZE THE FOCUS REMAINS ON DIPLOMACY AS
WASHINGTON TRIES TO BRING PRESSURE ON IRAQ THROUGH THE UNITED
NATIONS. AND DESPITE PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S STRONG RHETORIC,
THE PENTAGON SAYS HIS TROOPS DO NOT SEEM TO BE PREPARING FOR
BATTLE. A SPOKESMAN, CAPTAIN MICHAEL DOUBLEDAY, SAYS SOME OF THE
IRAQIS HAVE ACTUTALLY RETURNED TO HOME BASES AFTER DISPERSING
EARLIER IN A BID TO ESCAPE POSSIBLE STRIKES.
// DOUBLEDAY ACT //
IN RECENT WEEKS WE HAVE SEEN A MOVE BACK INTO GARRISON,
WHICH MIGHT BE REFLECTIVE OF EITHER THE FACT THAT THIS
IS RAMADAN (THE MUSLIM HOLY MONTH) AND IT MIGHT ALSO BE
A REFLECTION OF A LESSENED CONCERN FOR ATTACK.
// END ACT //
FOR NOW AT LEAST, OFFICIALS HAVE CONCLUDED THE U-S AND ALLIED
FORCE IN THE GULF IS LARGE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH ANY MISSION OR
THREAT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/KL
13-Jan-98 3:49 PM EST (2049 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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