DATE=12/17/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243160
TITLE=COHEN/IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS EARLY ASSESSMENTS 
FROM A FIRST WAVE OF U-S AND BRITISH MISSILE ATTACKS ON IRAQ 
INDICATE SEVERE DAMAGE TO SOME OF PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S KEY 
DEFENSE AND INTELLIGENCE SITES.  CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE 
REPORTS A SECOND WAVE OF AIRSTRIKES COULD HIT IRAQ TODAY 
(THURSDAY). 

TEXT:  DAYBREAK IN BAGHDAD BROUGHT THE FIRST ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE
INFLICTED BY HUNDREDS OF CRUISE MISSILES, WHICH DEFENSE SECRETARY
COHEN SAYS APPEAR TO HAVE CRIPPLED KEY IRAQI TARGETS.

                         // COHEN ACT //

         WHAT THIS IS REALLY ALL ABOUT IS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO 
         TAKE DOWN AND DEGRADE HIS CAPACITY TO THREATEN HIS 
         NEIGHBORS AND ALSO HIS CAPACITY TO DELIVER WEAPONS OF 
         MASS DESTRUCTION.  THERE WILL BE SOME CASUALTIES.  WE 
         HAVE TRIED TO MINIMIZE THE HARM TO INNOCENT PEOPLE. 

                          // END ACT //

NO AMERICAN CASUALTIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN WHAT IS BEING 
DESCRIBED AS THE LARGEST U-S MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ SINCE 
THE END OF THE 1991 GULF WAR.  SECRETARY COHEN HAD NO INFORMATION
ON IRAQI REPORTS THE AIRSTRIKES KILLED SEVERAL CIVILIANS.

ALTHOUGH SENSITIVE TO MUSLIM CONCERNS, THE U-S DEFENSE CHIEF SAYS
THE APPROACH OF THE MUSLIM HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN WILL NOT AFFECT 
MILITARY PLANNING.  

THE SECRETARY SOUNDED AN UNUSUALLY EXPLICIT WARNING ABOUT NEW 
THREATS OF TERRORISM AIMED AT WESTERN TARGETS.

                     // SECOND COHEN ACT // 

         I HAVE FOLLOWED THE INTELLIGENCE VERY CLOSELY.  A NUMBER
         OF ATTACKS HAVE BEEN PLANNED ACCORDING TO INTELLIGENCE, 
         SEPARATE AND APART FROM THIS PARTICULAR ACTION.  AND SO 
         WE HAVE TO BE ON ALERT. 

                          // END ACT //

THE U-S AND BRITISH AIRSTRIKES COULD CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL DAYS.  
(SIGNED) 

NEB/NJS/RAE

17-Dec-98 9:00 AM EST (1400 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.