DATE=1/13/98

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-225214

TITLE=PENTAGON/IRAQ  (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=DAVID SWAN

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO: THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT HAS NO PLANS TO SEND 

MORE TROOPS OR WEAPONS TO THE PERSIAN GULF TO DEAL WITH THE 

LATEST CRISIS IN IRAQ.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, OFFICIALS SAY

A ROBUST FORCE IS ALREADY THERE.



TEXT:  WHEN THE CONFLICT OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS HEATED UP 

LATE LAST YEAR, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHED A SIZEABLE 

MILITARY BUILDUP IN THE GULF.  THAT FORCE REMAINS IN PLACE -- TWO

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS, AT LEAST 15 OTHER SHIPS, AND MORE THAN THREE- 

HUNDRED PLANES AND HELICOPTERS BASED AT SEA OR ON LAND.



THE PENTAGON WILL KEEP TWO CARRIERS ON STATION FOR THE FORSEEABLE

FUTURE, WITH ONE OF THE SHIPS THERE NOW BEING REPLACED EARLY IN 

MARCH.  THE U-S AIR FLEET ALSO INCLUDES B-52 HEAVY BOMBERS AND 

F-117 "STEALTH" ATTACK PLANES.  THE NAVY HAS BROUGHT IN WHAT 

OFFICIALS CALL A LARGE NUMBER OF TOMAHAWK MISSILES, WHICH HAVE 

BEEN FIRED INTO IRAQ SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST.



HOWEVER, OFFICIALS EMPHASIZE THE FOCUS REMAINS ON DIPLOMACY AS 

WASHINGTON TRIES TO BRING PRESSURE ON IRAQ THROUGH THE UNITED 

NATIONS.  AND DESPITE PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S STRONG RHETORIC,

THE PENTAGON SAYS HIS TROOPS DO NOT SEEM TO BE PREPARING FOR 

BATTLE.  A SPOKESMAN, CAPTAIN MICHAEL DOUBLEDAY, SAYS SOME OF THE

IRAQIS HAVE ACTUTALLY RETURNED TO HOME BASES AFTER DISPERSING 

EARLIER IN A BID TO ESCAPE POSSIBLE STRIKES.



                       // DOUBLEDAY ACT //



         IN RECENT WEEKS WE HAVE SEEN A MOVE BACK INTO GARRISON, 

         WHICH MIGHT BE REFLECTIVE OF EITHER THE FACT THAT THIS 

         IS RAMADAN (THE MUSLIM HOLY MONTH) AND IT MIGHT ALSO BE 

         A REFLECTION OF A LESSENED CONCERN FOR ATTACK. 



                          // END ACT //



FOR NOW AT LEAST, OFFICIALS HAVE CONCLUDED THE U-S AND ALLIED 

FORCE IN THE GULF IS LARGE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH ANY MISSION OR 

THREAT. (SIGNED)



NEB/DS/KL



13-Jan-98 3:49 PM EST (2049 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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