DATE=1/14/98

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-225259

TITLE=COHEN / IRAQ (L)

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=JAKARTA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES 

WILL USE DIPLOMATIC MEANS, FOR THE TIME BEING, TO PRESS IRAQ TO 

OPEN ITS FACILITIES TO WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  CORRESPONDENT JIM 

RANDLE REPORT MR. COHEN'S COMMENTS CAME IN JAKARTA DURING AN 

ASIAN TOUR.



TEXT:  IRAQ IS BLOCKING EFFORTS BY ONE TEAM OF U-N WEAPONS 

INSPECTORS TO ENTER FACILITIES THEY BELIEVE HOLD BANNED WEAPONS, 

OR THE MEANS TO PRODUCE THEM.



DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS PREPARED TO 

PURSUE ALL REASONABLE AND RESPONSIBLE DIPLOMATIC MEANS TO RESOLVE

THE DISPUTE WITH IRAQ.  HE SAYS FURTHER ACTION BY THE UNITED 

NATIONS OR ITS MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL CHIEF U-N WEAPONS 

INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER VISITS IRAQ MONDAY.



MR. BUTLER IS TO TALK WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS ABOUT GIVING 

INSPECTORS COMPLETE ACCESS.  



MR. COHEN SAYS THE UNITED STATES BRINGS PATIENCE AND RESOLVE TO 

THE DISPUTE.



                        /// COHEN ACT. //



         WE ARE NOT HEADING TOWARD ANY CONCLUSION AS SUCH.  AS 

         THE PRESIDENT INDICATED, NOTHING HAS BEEN RULED OUT.  WE

         HOPE TO SOLVE THIS DIPLOMATICALLY AND PEACEFULLY.



                         /// END ACT ///



SHOULD WASHINGTON DECIDE TO USE FORCE IT CAN CALL ON HUNDREDS OF 

WARPLANES, DOZENS OF SHIPS, AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ON WATCH IN 

THE PERSIAN GULF REGION.  



PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE NO PLANS TO CHANGE THE LEVEL OF 

FORCE IN THE REGION.  OFFICIALS TRAVELLING WITH THE SECRETARY 

WILL NOT CONFIRM REPORTS A U-S AIRCRAFT CARRIER BASED IN JAPAN 

MAY BE ASSIGNED TO REPLACE ONE OF THE BIG SHIPS ON STATION IN THE

GULF.



MR. COHEN IS IN JAKARTA WHERE HE DISCUSSED SECURITY AND ECONOMIC 

CONCERNS WITH INDONESIAN PRESIDENT SUHARTO.  HE NEXT TRAVELS TO 

SINGAPORE.



NEB/RAE



14-Jan-98 9:59 AM EST (1459 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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