DATE=11/10/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241475
TITLE=COHEN / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN IS ORDERING TWO GROUPS 
OF WARSHIPS TO SPEED THEIR ARRIVAL IN THE PERSIAN GULF.  V-O-A'S 
JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE CHANGE WILL BRIEFLY BOOST THE NUMBER OF 
WARPLANES AND CRUISE MISSILES AVAILABLE FOR A POSSIBLE STRIKE ON 
IRAQ.  

TEXT: MR. COHEN IS ORDERING ANOTHER AIRCRAFT CARRIER BATTLE GROUP
AND AN AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUP TO HURRY TO THE PERSIAN GULF.  THE 
CHANGE ADDS 50 STRIKE AIR CRAFT FROM THE U-S-S ENTERPRISE AND A 
LARGE NUMBER OF CRUISE MISSILES FROM SMALLER ESCORT SHIPS TO THE 
COMBAT POWER ALREADY DEPLOYED IN THE GULF.  

/// OPT ///  THE AMPHIBIOUS SHIPS WILL BRING TWO THOUSAND MORE 
MARINES, HALF A DOZEN FIGHTERS AND ABOUT 40 HELICOPTER TO THE 
FORCE.  /// END OPT ///

ONE AIRCRAFT CARRIER AND TWENTY OTHER SHIPS ARE ALREADY ON 
STATION IN THE GULF.  THE SECRETARY SAYS THE PRESIDENT HAS   NOT 
DECIDED TO USE FORCE, BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT. 

                        /// COHEN ACT ///

         THE MILITARY OPTION IS STILL ON THE TABLE.  WE WOULD 
         PREFER, HE (THE PRESIDENT) WOULD MUCH PREFER TO SEE THIS
         RESOLVED PEACEFULLY. 

                         /// END ACT ///

SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THE CHANGE WILL GET MOST OF THE SHIPS TO THE
GULF ON NOVEMBER 23RD INSTEAD OF THE 26TH AS PREVIOUSLY PLANNED. 
MR. COHEN SAYS HE DOES  NOT  PLAN TO KEEP BOTH CARRIERS IN THE 
GULF AT THE SAME TIME FOR VERY LONG.    

MONDAY, ON A VISIT TO KUWAIT, BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE 
ROBERTSON WARNED THAT THE PATIENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
IS 'DRIFTING AWAY' AND THE OPTION OF USING FORCE IS 'REAL.'

TUESDAY IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ'S FOREIGN MINISTER CALLED AMERICAN AND 
BRITISH THREATS TO BOMB IRAQ 'RECKLESS' ACTS THAT WOULD 
DESTABILIZE THE REGION. 

SECRETARY COHEN SAYS WASHINGTON IS USING THREATS ONLY TO 
ENCOURAGE IRAQ TO LIVE UP TO AN AGREEMENT TO GET RID OF ITS 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  BAGHDAD PROMISED TO DO THAT IN THE 
DEAL THAT ENDED THE GULF WAR.  IRAQ ALSO PROMISED TO ALLOW U-N 
OFFICIALS TO MAKE SURE IRAQ IS KEEPING ITS WORD.  THE CURRENT 
CRISIS BEGAN WHEN IRAQ BLOCKED MOST ACTIVITIES OF THESE U-N 
WEAPONS INSPECTORS.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS IRAQ'S BEHAVIOR SHOULD MAKE THE
WORLD TAKE IRAQ'S WEAPONS PROGRAMS VERY SERIOUSLY.

                        /// BACON ACT ///

         IRAQ HAS USED WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AGAINST ITS 
         NEIGHBORS IN THE PAST.  IT (HAS) ATTACKED A NEIGHBORING 
         COUNTRY, SEVERAL NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, AND IT IS NOW 
         UNDER U-N SECURITY COUNCIL MANDATES TO DISCONTINUE ITS 
         PROGRAM, AND IT'S IN VIOLATION OF THOSE MANDATES. 

                         /// END ACT ///

PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE ENOUGH U-S FORCES IN THE GULF 
TODAY TO LAUNCH A POWERFUL STRIKE ON IRAQ.  MR. BACON SAYS 
ADDITIONAL FORCES ARE ON STANDBY TO MOVE TO THE REGION WITHIN 96 
HOURS IF THE PRESIDENT DECIDES TO TAKE STRONGER ACTION.  MR. 
BACON WOULD GIVE FEW DETAILS OF THE CONTINGENCY PLANS, BUT DID 
SAY IT COULD MAKE NEARLY 400 AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING ADVANCED STEALTH
FIGHTERS AND BOMBERS, AVAILABLE TO COMMANDERS IN THE GULF ON 
SHORT NOTICE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/GE

10-Nov-98 4:16 PM EST (2116 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.