DATE=11/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241677
TITLE=PENTAGON-IRAQ SATURDAY (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE LOOKING CLOSELY AT IRAQ'S
OFFER TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS.  BUT 
THEY SAY THE FLOW OF U-S TROOPS TOWARD THE PERSIAN GULF CONTINUES
AS PLANNED, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.  V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE 
REPORTS.

TEXT:  A SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS THE PRESIDENT'S PRINCIPAL 
MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC ADVISORS ARE GATHERED AT THE WHITE HOUSE 
TO EXAMINE THE OFFER FROM BAGHDAD.  

THE OFFICIAL TELLS V-O-A THAT THE GROUP INCLUDES DEFENSE 
SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN. THE ADVISORS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE IF 
THIS IS "THE SORT OF RETREAT" BY BAGHDAD DEMANDED BY THE U-N 
SECURITY COUNCIL AND THE UNITED STATES.  

THE CRISIS BEGAN WHEN IRAQ BLOCKED U-N OFFICIALS WHO ARE SUPPOSED
TO FIND AND DESTROY IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THE 
UNITED STATES HAS MORE THAN 23-THOUSAND TROOPS, HUNDREDS OF 
CRUISE MISSILES AND MORE THAN 170 PLANES ALREADY WITHIN STRIKING 
DISTANCE OF IRAQ. 

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED DEPLOYMENTS WOULD NEARLY DOUBLE THAT FIREPOWER
IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS. 

U-S OFFICIALS HAVE SAID ALL OPTIONS, INCLUDING MILITARY OPTIONS, 
ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION UNLESS BAGHDAD CHANGES ITS POSITION.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/JR/GE

14-Nov-98 1:03 PM EST (1803 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.