DATE=11/3/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241130
TITLE=COHEN / SAUDI / IRAQ (L-UPDATE)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN WENT TO RIYADH TUESDAY TO 
DISCUSS THE IRAQ CRISIS WITH SAUDI KING FAHD.  THE TALKS FOLLOWED
EARLIER DISCUSSIONS IN LONDON WITH BRITAIN'S DEFENSE MINISTER, 
GEORGE ROBERTSON.  U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE TALKS IN LONDON, RIYADH,
AND ELSEWHERE ARE FOCUSING ON FORCING IRAQ TO GET RID OF ITS 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  MORE NOW FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT 
JIM RANDLE.

TEXT:  PENTAGON OFFICIALS CALL THE SAUDI TALKS "PRODUCTIVE," AND 
SAY SECRETARY COHEN IS CONFIDENT THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE THE 
SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN SUPPORT OF THE 
UNITED NATIONS.

PENTAGON OFFICIALS WOULD  NOT  SAY IF MR. COHEN ASKED KING FAHD 
FOR PERMISSION TO USE SAUDI TERRITORY TO LAUNCH AIR STRIKES,  NOR
WOULD THEY SAY IF THAT PERMISSION WAS GRANTED.

AT THE LONDON TALKS, THE BRITISH AND AMERICAN DEFENSE MINISTERS 
SAID IRAQ MUST REVERSE ITS DECISION TO BLOCK WEAPONS INSPECTIONS 
BY U-N OFFICIALS. THE TWO CLOSE ALLIES SAY "ALL OPTIONS REMAIN ON
THE TABLE" -- A BLUNT REFERENCE TO THE MASSED FORCES -- 15 
MISSILE-ARMED WARSHIPS, 174 AIRCRAFT AND THOUSANDS OF U-S 
MILITARY PERSONNEL -- ON STATION NEAR IRAQ.

IRAQ TRIGGERED A CRISIS LAST WEEKEND BY BLOCKING INSPECTIONS 
UNTIL OFFICIALS SET A TIMETABLE TO END ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.  THE 
U-N IMPOSED THE STRICT SANCTIONS AFTER SADDAM HUSSEIN'S ARMY 
INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990.  IN THE AGREEMENT THAT ENDED THE GULF 
WAR, BAGHDAD PROMISED TO GET RID OF ITS NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL AND 
CHEMICAL WEAPONS, AS WELL AS THE MISSILES TO DELIVER THEM.  IRAQ 
ALSO PROMISED TO ALLOW U-N INSPECTORS TO MAKE CERTAIN BAGHDAD WAS
NOT  CHEATING ON THE BARGAIN. 

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN MIKE DOUBLEDAY SAYS WASHINGTON AND ITS ALLIES 
WILL KEEP DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY PRESSURE ON IRAQ UNTIL SADDAM 
HUSSEIN MOVES TO MEET U-N DEMANDS.   

                      /// DOUBLEDAY ACT ///

         THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH U-N 
         SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS REQUIRING AN END TO IRAQ'S 
         WEAPONS-OF-MASS-DESTRUCTION PROGRAM.

                        /// END ACT /// 

PENTAGON OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN UNUSUALLY SECRETIVE ABOUT SECRETARY 
COHEN'S TRIP, REFUSING TO SAY IN ADVANCE WHICH NATIONS HE WILL BE
VISITING.  MR. COHEN IS EXPECTED TO HEAD FOR TALKS IN KUWAIT ON 
WEDNESDAY AND IN TURKEY ON FRIDAY, BEFORE MAKING STOPS IN EUROPE 
ON THE WAY BACK TO WASHINGTON. 

                        /// REST OPT ///

TURKEY HOSTS A U-S LED FORCE THAT PATROLS A NO-FLY ZONE OVER 
NORTHERN IRAQ.  THE TERRITORY IS HELD BY KURDS AND BROKE AWAY 
FROM BAGHDAD'S CONTROL AFTER THE GULF WAR.

BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES CAME CLOSE TO BOMBING IRAQ LAST 
FEBRUARY, WHEN BAGHDAD BLOCKED ARMS INSPECTIONS.  THE CRISIS WAS 
RESOLVED AT THE LAST MINUTE BY U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFFI ANNAN.
 (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/WTW

03-Nov-98 6:20 PM EST (2320 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.