DATE=1/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244640
TITLE=IRAQ-MISSILE-MONDAY L 3RD UPDATE
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN IRAQI AIR DEFENSES AND ALLIED PLANES
FOR CONTROL OF IRAQ'S AIR SPACE GREW MORE INTENSE MONDAY WITH
MANY INCIDENTS IN THE NO-FLY ZONES. U-S OFFICIALS SAY IRAQI
FORCES AIMED RADAR, ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS, AND MISSILES AT U-S
PLANES ON PATROL. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.
TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY IRAQI FORCES FIRED A SURFACE-TO-AIR
MISSILE AND ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS AT AMERICAN PLANES. IN A SERIES
OF INCIDENTS NEAR THE NORTHERN IRAQI CITY OF MOSUL, ALLIED PLANES
RESPONDED WITH LASER-GUIDED BOMBS AND RADAR-SEEKING MISSILES.
EARLIER, IRAQ'S NEWS AGENCY SAID AN ALLIED MISSILE WRECKED A
MARKET IN THE SOUTHERN IRAQ, KILLING SOME CHILDREN AND WOMEN.
U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY STRUCK AN IRAQI SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE
SITE NORTH OF BASRA. THEY DENY TARGETING CIVILIANS.
U-S AIR FORCE CAPTAIN MIKE BLASS SAYS BAGHDAD IS STEPPING UP THE
STRUGGLE.
// BLASS ACT ///
YES, THIS IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST NUMBER IN ONE DAY
SINCE DESERT FOX.
/// END ACT ///
DECEMBER'S DESERT FOX AIR RAIDS WERE DESIGNED TO PUNISH IRAQ FOR
FAILING TO COOPERATE WITH U-N EFFORTS TO RID THE COUNTRY OF
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
MONDAY'S INCIDENTS GROW OUT OF U-S AND BRITISH EFFORTS TO BAN
IRAQI FLIGHTS FROM ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF IRAQI TERRITORY.
WESTERN ALLIES DECLARED THE NO-FLY ZONES AFTER THE 1991 GULF WAR
TO SLOW BAGHDAD'S ATTACKS ON REBELLIOUS SHI'ITE MUSLIMS AND
KURDS. IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY THE NO FLY ZONES ARE ILLEGAL.
(SIGNED).
NEB/JR/LTD/JO
25-Jan-99 11:28 AM EST (1628 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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