DATE=12/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243262
TITLE=IRAQ STRIKES / FRIDAY (L UPDATE)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=AMMAN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: U-S AND BRITISH FORCES HAVE LAUNCHED A THIRD WAVE OF AIR 
STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ.  CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM 
AMMAN THAT THE LATEST AIR STRIKES BEGAN AS PRESIDENT SADDAM 
HUSSEIN TOLD HIS PEOPLE HE WILL  NOT  BACK DOWN IN THE FACE OF 
THE MILITARY ATTACKS. 

TEXT: IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN TOLD HIS COUNTRYMEN FRIDAY 
EVENING HE WILL  NOT  COMPROMISE OR KNEEL DOWN. AND HE ADDED IF 
THEY CONTINUE THEIR RESISTANCE, IN HIS WORDS, THE CRIMINALS WILL 
BE DOOMED.

             ///SADDAM ACT. (ARABIC) IN AND FADE///

THE IRAQI PRESIDENT ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO HIS AIR DEFENSE FORCES. 
THE IRAQI GENERAL COMMAND SAYS THEY HAVE SHOT DOWN 77 CRUISE 
MISSILES SINCE THE ATTACKS BEGAN EARLY LAST THURSDAY MORNING. U-S
OFFICIALS SAY THEIR CASUALTIES HAVE BEEN MINIMAL

SHORTLY AFTER THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER 
TARIQ AZIZ TOLD REPORTERS THE U-S AND BRITISH ATTACKS WERE NOT 
POLITICAL, BUT CRIMINAL AGGRESSION AND A VIOLATION OF 
INTERNATIONAL LAW.

THE IRAQI OFFICIAL ACCUSED CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD 
BUTLER OF FABRICATING HIS REPORT LAST TUESDAY.  THAT REPORT LED 
TO THE DEPARTURE OF THE U-N INSPECTORS FROM IRAQ THE FOLLOWING 
DAY AND UHE FIRSU WAVE OF U-S AND BRITISI AIR STSIKES THAT NIGHT.

IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY THEIR SECRET SESVICE ANE MILITARY 
INTELLIGENCE HEADQUARTERS WERE STRUCK DURING THE FISST WAVE. THE 
HEADQUARUERS OF UHE MILITARY INDUSTRIALIZATION COMMISSION 
REPORTEDLY WERE STRUCK DURING THE SECOND WAVE THURSDAY NIGHT 
DURING A SERIES OF STRIKES THAT ROCKED THE IRAQI CAPITAL.

THE UNITED NATIONS FRIDAY EVACUATED MOST OF ITS REMAINING FOREIGN
WORKERS, LEAVING ONLY ESSENTIAL STAFF MEMBERS.

REACTION IN THE ARAB WORLD HAS BEEN MOSTLY CRITICAL. THERE WERE 
DEMONSTRATIONS FRIDAY IN A HALF-DOZEN COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

THE GOVERNMENTS OF IRAN, SYRIA AND LEBANON HAVE SHARPLY CONDEMNED
THE ATTACKS.  OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN THE REGION HAVE EXPRESSED 
REGRET OVER THE STRIKES AND CALLED ON THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT TO 
RESUME COOPERATION WITH THE U-N INSPECTIONS PROGRAM. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/KL

18-Dec-98 4:13 PM EST (2113 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.