DATE=6/30/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-234808
TITLE=U-S MISSILE / IRAQ REACT (S ONLY)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ DENIES ITS FORCES PROVOKED THE U-S
MISSILE ATTACK ON AN IRAQI RADAR INSTALLATION TUESDAY, AND CALLS 
THE ATTACK UNJUSTIFIABLE AGGRESSION.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT 
BOBB HAS DETAILS ON THE IRAQI REACTION FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST 
BUREAU IN CAIRO.

TEXT:  AN IRAQI SPOKESMAN TUESDAY TOLD REPORTERS THERE WAS  NO 
IRAQI RADAR LOCK ON ANY PLANES, WHEN THE U-S FIGHTER JET LAUNCHED
THE MISSILE ATTACK.

THE OFFICIAL SAID THE MISSILE FELL 18 KILOMETERS FROM THE NEAREST
RADAR, CALLING IT PROOF OF THE AGGRESSIVENESS OF THE AMERICANS. 
THE OFFICIAL SAID THE ATTACK WAS PROBABLY A PLAN FOR A NEW 
OFFENSIVE AGAINST IRAQ. 

TENSIONS IN THE REGION HAD SUBSIDED IN RECENT MONTHS BECAUSE OF 
GREATER COOPERATION ON THE PART OF IRAQ WITH U-N INSPECTIONS 
AIMED AT ELIMINATING IRAQI WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  IRAQ 
WANTS AN END TO ECONOMIC SANCTIONS BUT SAYS THE U-S AND BRITISH 
GOVERNMENTS WANT THE SANCTIONS MAINTAINED. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/KL

30-Jun-98 1:56 PM EDT (1756 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.