DATE=11/4/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241168
TITLE=COHEN / GULF (L)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN CONTINUES HIS VISIT 
TO GULF NATIONS, SEEKING SUPPORT FOR ACTION TO PRESSURE IRAQ TO 
COOPERATE WITH U-S WEAPONS INSPECTIONS.  RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS 
FROM CAIRO.

TEXT:  SECRETARY COHEN IS NOW IN BAHRAIN.  EARLIER, HE LEFT 
KUWAIT WITHOUT TALKING TO REPORTERS.  THE U-S OFFICIAL STARTED 
HIS GULF TOUR IN SAUDI ARABIA WHERE HE MET WITH KING FAHD. 

LITTLE INFORMATION HAS COME FROM SECRETARY COHEN'S HASTILY 
ORGANIZED VISIT TO THE GULF REGION, REPORTEDLY AIMED AT GAINING 
SUPPORT FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION TO PRESSURE IRAQ.

AFTER MR. COHEN'S TALKS WITH KING FAHD, THE U-S DEFENSE 
DEPARTMENT SAID THE UNITED STATES IS CONFIDENT SAUDI ARABIA WILL 
BACK APPROPRIATE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE UNITED NATIONS.

HOWEVER, THE STATEMENT DID  NOT  SAY SAUDI ARABIA WOULD SUPPORT A
MILITARY STRIKE AGAINST IRAQ.  FURTHERMORE, DIPLOMATIC SOURCES 
QUOTED IN SAUDI ARABIA SAY KING FAHD TOLD SECRETARY COHEN THAT HE
DOES  NOT  WANT SAUDI ARABIA TO BE A SPRINGBOARD FOR ATTACKS 
AGAINST IRAQ.

THE EMIR OF KUWAIT, THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT OPENLY SUPPORTED A 
MILITARY OPTION DURING A SIMILAR WEAPONS INSPECTIONS DISPUTE IN 
FEBRUARY, REPORTEDLY TOLD MR. COHEN HE PREFERS A PEACEFUL 
SOLUTION TO THE NEW STAND OFF.

KUWAIT'S DEFENSE MINISTRY SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT KUWAIT IS  NOT
A PARTY TO THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ AND 
THAT IT ALWAYS STRIVES FOR PEACE.  (SIGNED) 

NEB/RHE/JWH

04-Nov-98 6:40 AM EST (1140 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.