Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9/4/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S IRAQ (S-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-280045

BYLINE=DAVID SWAN

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: American warplanes have struck again at Iraqi air defenses in response to what the Pentagon calls hostile fire and threats. Iraq reports four civilians were wounded in one raid, in the south. V-O-A's David Swan has details.

TEXT: For the fourth time in less than two-weeks, U-S jets attacked anti-aircraft artillery and missiles in Iraq's southern no-fly zone. The allies also bombed similar targets in the northern no-fly region (Tuesday) after being shot at by Iraqi gunners and tracked by their radar.

The strikes are designed to cripple the integrated air-defense network that officials say poses a growing danger to coalition planes. So far, the threats have not stopped. But Pentagon spokeswoman Torie (Victoria) Clarke says the raids are still having an impact.

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The strikes are an effort to degrade his systems. The battle damage assessments over the last several strikes have shown we have been effective.

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Coalition planes have enforced the no-fly zones since the Gulf War 10-years ago. The government in Baghdad considers both zones illegal and has vowed to bring down a U-S or British aircraft. The Iraqis recently claimed they had downed an unmanned American spy plane. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/RAE