DATE=10/18/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COHEN / MIDEAST / PAKISTAN (L)
NUMBER=2-255194
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S Secretary of Defense William Cohen says he
is encouraged by the speech of Pakistan's new military
ruler, General Pervez Musharraf. The U-S official
made the remarks Monday as he began a nine-nation tour
of the Middle East. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports
from our Middle East Bureau in Cairo.
TEXT: Secretary Cohen told reporters the U-S
government regrets the military takeover in Pakistan
and hopes the new military leadership will fulfill its
pledge to return to democratic rule, sooner rather
than later. Nevertheless, Cohen said he is encouraged
by the Pakistani leader's remark that he wants to
reduce tensions with neighboring India.
The U-S Defense Secretary made the remarks Monday
after arriving in Bahrain, the first stop of his week-
long trip to the Middle East.
Earlier, he acknowledged there is frustration about
the lack of progress in the stalemate over Iraq, but
reaffirmed the need to maintain pressure on the Iraqi
government in order to contain its regional ambitions.
The newspaper of Iraq's ruling Baath Party,
Al-Thawra, accused Mr. Cohen of trying to scare
nations in the region, in its words, by brandishing
the so-called fear of an Iraqi threat. The newspaper
called on governments in the Middle East to send the
U-S official packing.
Mr. Cohen said he is visiting nine nations in the
region in order to underscore the U-S government's
long-term commitment to the region and the value it
places on its relationships with individual countries
here.
/// Opt /// In the Gulf, the secretary is to meet with
senior leaders in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the
United Arab Emirates, and Oman. He also plans to
visit Israel, Jordan and Egypt. While in Egypt, he is
to observe the Bright Star military exercises, in
which a reported 70-thousand troops from 11 nations
are participating. /// End opt /// (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/GE/LTD/JP
18-Oct-1999 13:28 PM EDT (18-Oct-1999 1728 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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