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April 1999

• RFE/RL Iraq Report, Volume 2, Number 17 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 30 April 1999 -- BAGHDAD-BELGRADE-MOSCOW COOPERATION / IRAQI OIL MINISTER DISCUSSES TIES WITH RUSSIA / IRAQ UPGRADES ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONRY / 'RED LINES' SADDAM NOT TO CROSS DELIMITED / MED-TV LICENSE REVOKED / KTV HAS 'NO FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.' / SELF-RULE "ONLY" OPTION FOR KURDS / KURDS, TURKMENS EXPELLED FROM KIRKUK
• Coalition aircraft fired upon by Iraqi AAA April 30, 1999 -- Operation Northern Watch (ONW) F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16C Falcons dropped GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on Iraqi radar and anti-aircraft artillery sites south and northeast of Mosul. In addition, U.S. Air Force F-16CJ Falcons launched AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARM) at Iraqi radar and anti-aircraft artillery sites south and northeast of Mosul.
• COALITION AIRCRAFT STRIKE TARGETS IN IRAQ UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND April 29, 1999 -- U.S. Air Force F-16CGs and British Royal Air Force GR-1s used precision guided munitions to strike a radar site near Tallil and a communications repeater station north of Al Basrah. This incident brings the number of Iraqi provocations in the No-Fly Zones since the end of Operation DESERT FOX to more than 164.
• Coalition aircraft respond to Iraqi fire April 29, 1999 -- Operation Northern Watch (ONW) F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16C Falcons dropped GBU-12 and GBU-15 precision-guided bombs on anti-aircraft artillery and command and control sites in the vicinity of Mosul. In addition, U.S. Air Force F-16CJ Falcons launched AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARM) at Iraqi radar sites targeting them south and west of Mosul.
• Coalition aircraft respond to Iraqi threats April 27, 1999 -- Operation Northern Watch (ONW) F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16C Falcons dropped GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on anti-aircraft sites northeast and south of Mosul. Also, a Marine EA-6B launched an AGM-88 missile at an anti-aircraft radar site northeast of Mosul.
• Religious Leaders, Aide Workers, Students and Peace Activists Demand an End to Economic Sanctions against IraqUSIA 27 April 1999 --Convinced that the U.N.-imposed economic sanctions against Iraq are both cruel and illegal, religious leaders are joining forces with humanitarian relief workers, students and peace groups to demand that the sanctions be lifted.
• TEXT: NSC DIRECTOR RIEDEL'S 4/23 SPEECH AT THE MIDDLE EAST FORUM USIA 26 April 1999 -- United States foreign policy toward Libya, Iraq and Iran were the focus of a speech given by Bruce Riedel, special assistant to the President and senior director, Near East and South Asian Affairs, National Security Council, April 23 at the Middle East Forum.
• U-N / IRAQ DEATH Voice of America 26 April 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS (MONDAY) A U-N HUMANITARIAN WORKER HAS BEEN SHOT AND KILLED IN IRAQ. FEW DETAILS ARE KNOWN ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE KILLING.
• RFE/RL Iraq Report, Volume 2, Number 16 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 25 April 1999 -- YUGOSLAV CHEMICAL WEAPONS: THE IRAQI CONNECTION / BAGHDAD MOVES TO IMPROVE ARAB RELATIONS / IS AN ORGANIZED OPPOSITION EMERGING INSIDE IRAQ? / BA'TH PARTY ORGANIZES INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE / 'WORST DROUGHT IN FIFTY YEARS' HITS IRAQ / IRAQ FLEECES IRANIAN PILGRIMS / IRAQI ARMOR ADVANCES ON KURDISTAN BORDER / ILNUR CEVIK ON KTV: "TURKEY DID NOT SAY NO." / CORRECTION
• Iraqi radar targets coalition forces April 25, 1999 -- Operation Northern Watch (ONW) F-16C and F-16CJ Falcons dropped GBU-12 laser guided bombs and launched a high-speed antiradiation missile (HARM) at anti-aircraft radar sites south and northeast of Mosul.
• Iraq News 23 April 1999 -- Two days after the statements made by Iraqi Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan on Iraq's anticipation of "a new US offensive at any moment," Iraqi diplomatic sources in Amman have revealed that President Saddam Husayn sent a letter to "higher ranks in the party, state, and the Army," pointing out that "the showdown with the United States is not far away."
• TEXT: INDYK REMARKS AT NY COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS 22 April 1999 -- Indyk said that "Saddam Hussein's defiance of the UN Security Council threatens to destabilize the Gulf while exacting a heavy price from the Iraqi people." He noted that "our containment policy is designed to protect the citizens of Iraq and its neighbors from an aggressive and hostile regime." "We have come to the conclusion, after more than seven years of effort at seeking Saddam's compliance with UN Security Council resolutions, that his regime will never be able to be rehabilitated or reintegrated into the community of nations," Indyk said.
• Coalition forces respond to Iraqi anti-aircraft fire April 22, 1999 -- U.S. Air Force F-16CJ Falcons launched a high-speed antiradiation missile (HARM) on a radar site east of Mosul. Also, F-15E Strike Eagles dropped GBU-12 laser guided bombs on anti-aircraft sites east and southeast of Mosul.
• British Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre vital to ONW mission Operation Northern Watch Public Affairs 21 Apr 1999 -- Before pilots can drop bombs on targets such as antiaircraft artillery or missile sites, those sites must be identified. For Operation Northern Watch, the Royal Air Force's Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre accomplishes this mission.
• Coalition forces respond to Iraqi radar threats April 21, 1999 -- Operation Northern Watch (ONW) F-16C Falcons dropped GBU-12 laser guided bombs on anti-aircraft and surface-to-air missile sites west of Mosul.
• IRAQ / CHEMICAL WEAPONS USIA 21 April 1999 --PRIVATE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY STUDIES SHOW KURDS IN NORTHERN IRAQ ARE STILL SUFFERING HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM CHEMICAL WEAPONS THAT WERE USED AGAINST THEM 11-YEARS AGO BY IRAQI FORCES. THE NORTHERN IRAQI TOWN OF HALBJA WAS THE SITE OF THE LARGEST CHEMICAL WEAPONS ATTACK AGAINST A CIVILIAN POPULATION IN MODERN TIMES.
• Coalition aircraft respond to Iraqi radar April 19, 1999 -- INCIRLIK AIR BASE, TURKEY -- Between approximately 3:40 p.m. and 5:50 p.m. Iraqi time today, Operation Northern Watch (ONW) aircraft detected Iraqi radar posing a threat to coalition aircraft. Responding in self-defense, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped GBU-12 and GBU-15 laser guided bombs on radar sites in the vicinity of Mosul.
• Iraqis threaten coalition aircraft April 17, 1999 -- INCIRLIK AIR BASE, TURKEY -- Operation Northern Watch (ONW) F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16C Falcons dropped GBU-12 laser guided bombs on anti-aircraft sites north and northwest of Mosul. Marine EA-6B Prowlers launched AGM-88 missiles and Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles launched AGM-130 missiles on radar sites north and northwest of Mosul. Air Force F-16C Falcons also dropped GBU-12 laser guided bombs on a surface-to-air missile site northwest of Mosul.
• RFE/RL Iraq Report, Volume 2, Number 15 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 16 April 1999 -- THE BATTLE OVER SANCTIONS HEATS UP / IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS MEETING INCONCLUSIVE / MAGHREB STATES REFUSE TO JOIN ARAB COMMITTEE ON IRAQ / MORE DETAILS ON 'OPERATION SAMSAM' / KURDS ON KOSOVO / UDAY ON KURDS, YUGOSLAVIA / TAJAMU' PARTY'S KURDISH SYMPOSIUM / A HEAD COUNT IN THE KRG / CORRECTION
• Coalition aircraft respond to continued violations 16 Apr 1999 (AFPN) -- Coalition aircraft struck two targets in Iraq at about 7:30 a.m. EDT April 15 in response to violations of the southern no-fly zone by Iraq aircraft earlier that morning. This incident brings the number of Iraqi provocations in the no-fly zones since the end of Operation Desert Fox to more than 160.
• U-N / IRAQ DISARMAMENT Voice of America 16 April 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO RESOLVE DIVISIONS OVER HOW TO REVIVE THE U-N DISARMAMENT PROGRAM IN IRAQ.
• U-N / IRAQ WEAPONS Voice of America 15 April 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HELD CLOSED-DOOR DISCUSSIONS TODAY (THURSDAY) ON EFFORTS TO MONITOR IRAQ'S WEAPONS PROGRAMS. THE DISCUSSIONS REVIVED DIVISIONS IN THE COUNCIL OVER HOW TO DEAL WITH IRAQ.
• COALITION AIRCRAFT RESPOND TO CONTINUED UNSCR VIOLATIONS CENTCOM RELEASE NUMBER: 99-04-07 -- April 15, 1999 - Coalition aircraft struck two targets in Iraq today at approximately 7:30 a.m. EDT in response to violations of the Southern No-Fly Zone by Iraq aircraft earlier this morning. This incident brings the number of Iraqi provocations in the No-Fly Zones since the end of Operation DESERT FOX to more than 160.
• Iraq News 14 April 1999 -- The UNSC is scheduled to present it reports, including on Iraqi disarmament, tomorrow. Today, Iraqi Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan rejected those proposals.
• Iraq News 09 April 1999 -- In a review of developments since 1993, "Iraq News," sought to explain why the extremely bellicose language of the Iraqi leadership was serious. And then what happened? Nothing. The intensity of Iraq'sbelligerence and defiance diminished. It was significantly less in March, than in the month before.
• DoD News Briefing Friday, April 9, 1999 -- Northern Watch haven't flown for the last few days, but I'm not sure exactly what the status of that is in the next few days.
• U-N / COUNCIL / IRAQ Voice of America 09 April 1999 -- THERE ARE SIGNS OF INCREASING DIVISION IN THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL OVER ITS IRAQ DISARMAMENT POLICY. THE STRONGEST DIVISION IN THE COUNCIL IS OVER THE U-N WEAPONS INSPECTION COMMISSION UNSCOM AND ITS CHIEF, RICHARD BUTLER. RUSSIA IS LEADING A CAMPAIGN TO REMOVE HIM FROM HIS POST.
• IRAQI OPPOSITION Voice of America 09 April 1999 -- ELEVEN IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS OF THE I-N-C -- THE "IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS" -- MET THIS WEEK OUTSIDE LONDON TO OUTLINE STRATEGIES FOR REVAMPING THE UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION AND COORDINATING EFFORTS TO OUST SADDAM HUSSEIN FROM IRAQ.
• RFE/RL Iraq Report, Volume 2, Number 14 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 9 April 1999 -- HUSSEYN-MILOSEVIC PACT: A MATTER OF CHEMISTRY? / "OIL FOR CAVIAR' INSTEAD OF 'OIL FOR FOOD?' / CHALDEAN PATRIARCH'S VATICAN VISIT DELAYED / TURKEY DENIES CONFRONTATION WITH ARABS OVER EUPHRATES / CHEMICAL WEAPONS EXPOSURE TO BE STUDIED IN IRAQI KURDISTAN / IRAQ NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETS IN ENGLAND / IRAQI TURKOMANS BLAME SPECIAL SECURITY ORGANS FOR SADR MURDER
• Coalition reacts to continued violations 8 Apr 1999 (AFPN) -- Navy F/A-18 Hornets flying in support of Operation Southern Watch struck an Iraqi missile site on the Al Faw Peninsula at about 3:15 a.m. EDT April 8. This missile site, which was recently repositioned to its current location and oriented toward coalition naval operations and maritime vessels in the Arabian Gulf, "constituted a direct threat to our forces and friends in the region."
• COALITION REACTS TO CONTINUED UNSCR VIOLATIONS CENTRAL COMMAND 08 April 1999 -- At approximately 3:15 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, U.S. Navy F/A-18 "Hornets" flying in support of Operation Southern Watch struck an Iraqi missile site on the Al Faw Peninsula.
• U-N / IRAQ PANELS Voice of America 07 April 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RENEWED DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE WAYS TO BREAK ITS DEADLOCK OVER WHAT TO DO NEXT ABOUT SANCTIONS AND DISARMAMENT POLICIES CONCERNING IRAQ. BUT THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF AGREEMENT ON THOSE ISSUES AMONG KEY COUNCILMEMBERS.
• SECURITY COUNCIL MUST REESTABLISH UN PRESENCE IN IRAQ, PANEL SAYS By Judy Aita USIA 07 April 1999 -- The status quo in Iraq "is not a viable option," the chairman of the panels reviewing the situation in Iraq told the Security Council April 7.
• IRAQ EXECUTIONS Voice of America 06 April 1999 -- THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ SAYS IT HAS EXECUTED FOUR MEN WHO IT SAYS ASSASSINATED THE COUNTRY'S SENIOR SHI'ITE LEADER AND HIS TWO SONS, TWO MONTHS AGO.
• Coalition aircraft respond to no-fly zone violation 5 Apr 1999 (AFPN) -- U.S. and British forces struck Iraqi ground sites April 4 after Iraqi aircraft violated the southern no-fly zone.
• IRAQ-ATTACK-SUNDAY Voice of America 04 April 1999 -- U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY ALLIED AIRCRAFT BOMBED SIX IRAQI TARGETS SUNDAY, AFTER IRAQI PLANES ENTERED FLIGHT EXCLUSION ZONES IMPOSED BY WESTERN POWERS.
• RFE/RL Iraq Report, Volume 2, Number 13 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 2 April 1999 -- WILL SADDAM HUSSEYN AID MILOSEVIC? / "OIL-FOR-FOOD" PROGRAM DEBATED / UN'S "OIL FOR FOOD" PROGRAM INCREASES KURDISH DEPENDENCY / WILL THE CENSUS IN THE KRG BE DELAYED? / KDP, PUK TO CURB PKK ACTIVITY WITHIN IRAQI KURDISTAN / PKK TERRORISM CONTINUES IN IRAQI KURDISTAN / MED-TV SHUTDOWN AND KURDISH TELEVISION
• PENTAGON-IRAQ Voice of America 02 April 1999 -- FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS, U-S AND IRAQI FORCES HAVE CLASHED IN THE NO-FLY ZONE COVERING THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE COUNTRY.
• IRAQ AIRSTRIKES Voice of America 02 April 1999 -- IRAQ SAYS TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED FRIDAY WHEN U-S AND BRITISH AIRCRAFT BOMBED THE SO-CALLED "NO-FLY" ZONE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ.