DATE=12/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243293
TITLE=BRITAIN/IRAQ (S&L)
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY AIR STRIKES BY TORNADO JETS
IN IRAQ HAVE ACHIEVED 75 PERCENT OF THEIR OBJECTIVES.  AND PRIME 
MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS ONCE AGAIN DEFENDED BRITISH PARTICIPATION
IN THE MILITARY MISSION, DESPITE INCREASING CRITICISM.  
CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS AN UPDATE FROM LONDON.

TEXT:  BRITISH DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON IS REPORTING 
HEAVY DAMAGE TO KEY IRAQI MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, INCLUDING 18 
STRIKES TO A REPUBLICAN GUARD FACILITY SOUTHEAST OF BAGHDAD.

MR. ROBERTSON CALLS THE REPUBLICAN GUARD SADDAM HUSSEIN'S FORCE 
FOR INTERNAL REPRESSION.  HE SAYS THE GUARDS ALSO PLAY A KEY ROLE
IN PROTECTING AND CONCEALING IRAQ'S CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL 
WEAPONS PROGRAM.

                   /// FIRST ROBERTSON ACT ///

         WE WANT THE REPUBLICAN GUARD TO KNOW THAT THEIR COZY 
         LIFE UNDER SADDAM IS UNDER ATTACK, AND WE THINK THEY 
         HAVE GOT THAT MESSAGE VERY CLEARLY.

                         /// END ACT ///

CHIEF OF STAFF CHARLES GUTHRIE SAYS 20 TARGETS RELATED TO AIR 
DEFENSE AND TANK FACILITIES WERE ALSO HIT IN TWO SEPARATE BOMBING
ATTACKS.

                   /// BEGIN OPT FOR LONG ///

                       /// GUTHRIE ACT ///

         WE HAVE BOMBED AND BADLY DAMAGED COMMUNICATIONS AND 
         COMMAND FACILITIES THAT ARE CRITICAL TO SADDAM'S ABILITY
         TO DIRECT AND CONTROL HIS FORCES. 

                         /// END ACT ///

CHIEF OF STAFF GUTHRIE SAYS BRITISH JETS ALSO DESTROYED THE 
HANGAR HOUSING UNMANNED PLANES THAT COULD CARRY IRAQ'S CHEMICAL 
AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.  U-S CRUISE MISSILES ALSO HAVE HIT 
PRESIDENTIAL SITES AND THE BAATH PARTY HEADQUARTERS IN BAGHDAD.

DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERTSON ECHOES BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY 
BLAIR IN STRESSING THAT THE AIR STRIKES ARE AIMED AT MILITARY,  
NOT  CIVILIAN TARGETS .

                  /// SECOND ROBERTSON ACT ///

         IT IS PRECISELY TO DENY SADDAM HUSSEIN THE USE OF THESE 
         TERRIBLE WEAPONS THAT WE LAUNCHED THESE STRIKES.  
         HOWEVER PAINFUL THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH THIS 
         ACTION, I BELIEVE IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.  DESTROYING 
         THESE TERRIBLE WEAPONS IS BETTER THAN ALLOWING SADDAM 
         HUSSEIN TO CONTINUE TO PERFECT AND TO DEPLOY THEM.

          !              /// END ACT ///

U-S ANE BRITISH PLANES HAVE DROPPED LEAFLETS WARNING THE REGULAR 
ARMY TO STAY OUT OF THE CONFLICT.

                         /// END OPT ///

MR. ROBERTSON SAYS THE OPERATION WILL STOP ONLY WHEN U-S AND 
BRITISH OFFICIALS DECIDE THE OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/LK/DW/WTW

19-Dec-98 11:39 AM EST (1639 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.