DATE=12/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243257
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ ATTACK (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-S AND BRITISH FORCES HAVE LAUNCHED A THIRD NIGHT OF AIR
ATTACKS ON IRAQ.  U-S OFFICIALS SAY THIS AIR CAMPAIGN HAS ALREADY
USED ABOUT 300 CRUISE MISSILES -- MORE THAN THE NUMBER USED 
DURING THE ENTIRE GULF WAR IN 1991. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS 
FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT:  DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS HE IS SATISFIED WITH 
THE RESULTS OF THE ATTACKS SO FAR, BUT THAT THE CAMPAIGN IS NOT 
OVER.

                        /// COHEN ACT ///

         THE UNITED STATES AND BRITISH FORCES ARE CONTINUING TO 
         ATTACK A WIDE RANGE OF MILITARY TARGETS IN ORDER TO 
         DECREASE IRAQ'S ABILITY TO THREATEN ITS NEIGHBORS. 

                        /// END ACT /// 

OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN 75 TARGETS HAVE BEEN HIT BY A COMBINATION
OF CRUISE MISSILES, LASER-GUIDED BOMBS AND OTHER WEAPONS.  U-S 
AND BRITISH PLANES FLEW DEEP INTO IRAQ, HITTING AIR DEFENSES, 
MILITARY FACILITIES, BROADCASTING TRANSMITTERS AND ONE OIL 
REFINIERY.

AMERICA'S TOP GENERAL, HUGH SHELTON, SHOWED REPORTERS AERIAL 
PHOTOGRAPHS OF HEAVILY DAMAGED BUILDINGS WHERE IRAQ ONCE 
DEVELOPED AND BUILT MISSILES.

                      /// SHELTON ACT  ///

         IT WAS THE FABRICATION (MANUFACTURING) BUILDING THAT IS 
         SHOWN RIGHT HERE, YOU CAN SEE THE DARK AREA, AND THE 
         FINAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING WHICH USED TO STAND RIGHT HERE. 
         YOU CAN ALSO SEE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO A BUILDING JUST 
         OUTSIDE THE FABRICATION.

                        /// END ACT /// 

BUT TOP PENTAGON INTELLIGENCE AND OPERATIONS OFFICIALS SAY THEY 
ARE JUST BEGINNING TO DETERMINE HOW SERIOUSLY THE BOMBS HAVE 
DAMAGED THEIR TARGETS.  SENIOR OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL BE A COUPLE 
OF DAYS, AT LEAST, BEFORE A COMPLETE AND ACCURATE PICTURE 
EMERGES.

U-S OFFICIALS HAVE NOT SAID HOW LONG THE ATTACKS WILL CONTINUE.  
THE U-S LED "OPERATION DESERT FOX" WAS LAUNCHED (AT AROUND 5 P-M 
WEDNESDAY WASHINGTON TIME) AFTER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS 
COMPLAINED IRAQ WAS STILL BLOCKING THEIR ACCESS TO POSSIBLE 
WEAPONS SITES.

NAVAL OFFICERS SAY THEY ARE SURPRISED AT HOW LITTLE RESISTANCE 
THE IRAQI MILITARY HAS PUT UP.  ONE ADMIRAL SAYS HE THINKS SADDAM
HUSSEIN'S FORCES ARE HIDING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.  OFFICIALS 
HERE DISMISS IRAQI CLAIMS TO HAVE SHOT DOWN MORE THAN 70 CRUISE 
MISSILES. (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/RRM 

18-Dec-98 2:54 PM EST (1954 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.