DATE=11/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241705
TITLE=PENTAGON-IRAQ-SUNDAY-L
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE UNITED STATES CAME 'VERY CLOSE' TO 
STRIKING IRAQ SATURDAY, AND REMAINS POISED TO HIT TARGETS THERE. 
CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE REPORTS MORE U-S PLANES AND OTHER 
EQUIPMENT ARE ARRIVING IN THE PERSIAN GULF IN A BUILDUP THAT WILL
NEARLY DOUBLE U-S STRIKING POWER THERE SOON.

TEXT:  SEVERAL REPORTS SAY U-S BOMBERS WERE IN THE AIR ON THE WAY
TO STRIKE SATURDAY WHEN IRAQ TOLD THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY 
COUNCIL IT WOULD ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO RESUME THEIR 
WORK.  THE STRIKES WERE THEN CALLED OFF.  

A SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL WILL NOT CONFIRM 'OPERATIONAL DETAILS' 
OF THE MISSION, BUT SAYS THE UNITED STATES WAS 'VERY CLOSE' TO 
STRIKING IRAQ. 

OFFICIALS SAY U-S B-52 HEAVY BOMBERS ARE CAPABLE OF TAKING OFF 
FROM THE UNITED STATES, FLYING TO THE PERSIAN GULF AND FIRING 
CRUISE MISSILES AT IRAQ.  A NUMBER OF THE LARGE BOMBERS TOOK OFF 
SATURDAY FROM BASES IN LOUISIANA. 

PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY DOZENS OF FIGHTERS AND SUPPORT PLANES ARE 
ON THE WAY AS WELL, INCLUDING THE F-117 'STEALTH' FIGHTER.  
EVENTUALLY THE BUILDUP IS EXPECTED TO PUSH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF 
U-S PLANES IN THE REGION TO MORE THAN 300.  THE AIRCRAFT WILL BE 
ACCOMPANIED BY THOUSANDS OF GROUND TROOPS FROM AN ARMORED UNIT 
AND OTHER TROOPS TO OPERATE MISSILE DEFENSES. 

AMERICAN OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR WEEKS A STRIKE COULD BE 
LAUNCHED AT ANY MOMENT WITH THE FORCES ALREADY IN THE GULF.  THEY
HAVE SAID SEVERAL TIMES THE PRESIDENT MIGHT NOT WAIT FOR THE 
REINFORCEMENTS TO ARRIVE BEFORE BEGINNING A BOMBING CAMPAIGN.

THE LATEST CRISIS BEGAN WHEN BAGHDAD BLOCKED WORK BY THE U-N 
EXPERTS WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE SURE IRAQ HAS GOTTEN RID OF ITS 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.  THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE 
BEEN THREATENING TO TAKE ACTION UNLESS BAGHDAD KEPT ITS PROMISES 
TO LET THE INSPECTORS VERIFY WHETHER OR NOT IRAQ HAS PROGRAMS TO 
PRODUCE NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL WEAPONS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/RAE

15-Nov-98 10:57 AM EST (1557 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.