DATE=1/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244462
TITLE=IRAQ PLANES, THURSDAY (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY IRAQI PLANES STREAKED THROUGH
AREAS WHERE IRAQI FLIGHTS ARE BANNED THURSDAY. PENTAGON
OFFICIALS SAY IRAQI PILOTS VIOLATED BOTH THE NORTHERN AND
SOUTHERN NO-FLY ZONES, BUT NO U-S PLANES WERE NEARBY AND NO
SHOTS WERE FIRED. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS.
TEXT: THE FLIGHTS BY IRAQI MIRAGE AND MIG FIGHTERS ENDED A LULL
THAT FOLLOWED A WEEK OF IRAQI CHALLENGES TO U-S AND BRITISH
WARPLANES ENFORCING THE NO-FLY ZONES.
CONFLICTS BETWEEN ALLIED PLANES AND IRAQI AIR DEFENSES INCREASED
SHARPLY AFTER LAST DECEMBER'S AIR RAIDS ON FACILITIES THOUGHT TO
HELP IRAQ PRODUCE OR PROTECT WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
IN JANUARY'S ACTIONS, IRAQI ANTIAIRCRAFT BATTERIES AND WARPLANES
TARGETED ALLIED PLANES WITH RADAR AND MISSILES. U-S PILOTS
RESPONDED WITH MISSILES AND BOMBS.
WASHINGTON AND LONDON BAN IRAQI PLANES FROM ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF
IRAQI AIRSPACE TO STOP IRAQI ATTACKS ON MINORITY KURDS AND
SHI'ITE MUSLIMS. ALLIED OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ENFORCING U-N
RESOLUTIONS, BAGHDAD SAYS THEY ARE VIOLATING INTERNATIONAL LAW.
/// REST OPT ///
U-S OFFICIALS SAY IRAQI PLANES HAVE VIOLATED THE NO-FLY ZONES
DOZENS OF TIMES IN RECENT WEEKS, GENERALLY WHEN ALLIED PLANES
WERE NOT PRESENT.
PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE WATCHING IRAQ INTENSELY, BUT HAVE
DETECTED NO UNUSUAL IRAQI TROOP MOVEMENTS OR MILITARY ACTIVITIES.
(SIGNED)
NEB/JR/GE
21-Jan-99 11:55 AM EST (1655 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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