DATE=12/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243304
TITLE=IRAQ ATTACKS RESUME (S-UPDATE)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 


INTRO:  DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS U-S - LED AIR 
STRIKES HAVE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED IRAQI TARGETS -- AND WILL 
CONTINUE.  MR. COHEN SAYS THE RAIDS HAVE SET BACK SADDAM 
HUSSEIN'S ABILITY TO THREATEN HIS NEIGHBORS WITH WEAPONS OF MASS 
DESTRUCTION BY AT LEAST A YEAR.  V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM 
THE PENTAGON.

TEXT:  MR. COHEN SAYS U-S AND BRITISH WARPLANES AND MISSILES ARE 
ATTACKING TARGETS ACROSS IRAQ FOR A FOURTH CONSECUTIVE NIGHT.  HE
SAYS ASSESSMENTS OF THE FIRST THREE WAVES OF ATTACKS ARE STILL 
UNDERWAY, BUT HE SAYS HE IS SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS SO FAR.

                        /// COHEN ACT ///

         THIS MILITARY ACTION IS SUBSTANTIAL.  IT IS INFLICTING 
         SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE ON THE SEVEN TARGET CATEGORIES WE 
         HAVE SELECTED.

                         /// END ACT ///

A TOP INTELLIGENCE OFFICER SAYS 32 IRAQI AIR-DEFENSE FACILITIES 
WERE TARGETED; 14 WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED, AND RECONNAISSANCE 
EXPERTS ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REST.

MR. COHEN SAYS OTHER ATTACKS ARE AIMED AT THE FACILITIES SADDAM 
HUSSEIN USES TO DIRECT HIS MILITARY AND CONTROL HIS PEOPLE, 
INCLUDING MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND TELEVISION 
TRANSMITTERS.  HE SAYS BOMBS ARE ALSO AIMED AT THE SECURITY 
FORCES USED TO DEVELOP CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS, AS WELL AS
THE FORCES USED TO PROTECT AND HIDE THOSE BANNED MUNITIONS.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/JR/WTW

19-Dec-98 4:22 PM EST (2122 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.