DATE=2/16/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245609
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=ANDRE DE NESNERA
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT HAS WARNED IRAQI LEADER SADDAM
HUSSEIN AGAINST ANY ATTACK ON AMERICAN ALLIES IN THE GULF REGION.
V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.
TEXT: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN KEN BACON TOLD REPORTERS ANY
ATTACK BY IRAQ AGAINST AMERICAN ALLIES IN THE REGION WOULD BE --
IN HIS WORDS -- A SEVERE MISTAKE AND WOULD BE MET WITH A VERY
SWIFT AND SURE RESPONSE.
MR. BACON WAS RESPONDING TO STATEMENTS BY IRAQI OFFICIALS
THREATENING MISSILE ATTACKS ON NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES -- SUCH AS
SAUDI ARABIA, KUWAIT AND TURKEY -- FOR SUPPORTING AMERICAN AND
BRITISH EFFORTS IN PATROLLING THE NO-FLY ZONES OVER IRAQ.
MR. BACON SAYS THE THREATS ARE A SIGN OF IRAQI LEADER SADDAM
HUSSEIN'S DESPERATION AND ISOLATION.
// BACON ACT //
HE HAS TRIED DIPLOMACY WITH HIS NEIGHBORS. HE HAS TRIED
TO CAJOLE THEM INTO SUPPORTING HIS POSITION AND THAT HAS
FAILED. HIS NEIGHBORS -- SAUDI ARABIA, KUWAIT AND TURKEY
-- HAVE ALL MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT HE
SHOULD HONOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. AND
FAILING TO SUCCEED WITH DIPLOMACY OR CAJOLING, HE IS NOW
TURNING TO THREATS. AND I THINK THE THREATS WILL GET HIM
NOWHERE.
// END ACT //
THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS TAKING
THOSE THREATS VERY SERIOUSLY. HE SAYS WASHINGTON IS MAINTAINING
A VERY SIGNIFICANT COUNTER-ATTACK AND DETERRENT CAPABILITY IN THE
REGION.
// 2ND BACON ACT //
THE INCIRLIK AIRBASE IN TURKEY -- FROM WHICH U-S AND
BRITISH PLANES FLY -- IS AT THE VERY OUTER EDGE OF THE
RANGE OF (IRAQI) SCUD MISSILES. IT IS PROTECTED BY WHAT
WE CALL A " MINIMUM ENGAGEMENT PACKAGE" OF (AIR DEFENSE)
PATRIOTS (MISSILES) AND THEY WERE MOVED WITHIN THE LAST
MONTH OR SO AT THE REQUEST OF THE TURKS. AND THEY WILL
STAY THERE AS LONG AS OUR TURKISH ALLIES FEEL THEY ARE
NEEDED.
// END ACT //
MR. BACON SAYS THE AIR DEFENSE PATRIOT MISSILES ARE ALSO LOCATED
IN SAUDI ARABIA AND KUWAIT, PROTECTING AIR BASES USED BY THE
UNITED STATES.
THE PENTAGON OFFICIAL ALSO SAID IRAQ IS SUSTAINING SOME FAIRLY
HEAVY LOSSES TO ITS AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS BY CONTINUING TO
CHALLENGE BRITISH AND AMERICAN AIRCRAFT IN THE NO-FLY ZONES.
SINCE DECEMBER -- WHEN WESTERN ALLIES BOMBED SUSPECTED ILLEGAL
IRAQI WEAPONS SITES -- IRAQ HAS REPEATEDLY TARGETED U-S PLANES
AND BEEN BOMBED IN RETURN. SPOKESMAN BACON SAYS THE UNITED
STATES WILL CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO ANY IRAQI ATTACK OR THREAT TO
U-S AIRCRAFT. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JO
16-Feb-99 5:12 PM EST (2212 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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