DATE=12/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243388
TITLE=IRAQ ATTACK GENERAL (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE GENERAL WHO COMMANDED THE RECENT AIR ATTACKS ON IRAQ 
STRONGLY DENIES IRAQI CHARGES THAT THE RAIDS FOCUSED ON CIVILIAN 
TARGETS.  MARINE GENERAL ANTHONY ZINNI SAYS U-S AND BRITISH 
WARPLANES HIT MOST OF THE TARGETS THEY AIMED AT, AND ALL OF THOSE
TARGETS HAD IRAQI MILITARY PURPOSES.  V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS 
FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT:  GENERAL ZINNI SAYS U-S AND BRITISH PLANES AIMED BOMBS AND 
MISSILES AT ABOUT 100 TARGETS AND HIT!85 OF THEM, DAMAGING 74 
BADLY ENOUGH TO MEET U-S MILITARY OBJECTIVES.  THE COMMANDER OF 
"OPERATION DESERT FOX" SAYS THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE MOST ACCURATE 
BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN MILITARY HISTORY -- DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE 
NUMBER OF NON-COMBATANTS HURT. 

                     /// FIRST ZINNI ACT ///

         [FOR] EVERY TARGET THAT WE ENGAGE, WE ARE CONVINCED THAT
         WE DID ALL THE PLANNING AND ALL THE TECHNICAL WORK THAT 
         ENSURED THAT, TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY, THAT THERE 
         WOULD BE NO COLLATERAL DAMAGE [CIVILIAN DEATHS OR 
         INJURIES].

                         /// END ACT ///

GENERAL ZINNI SAYS BOMB DAMAGE TO IRAQ'S MISSILE FACTORIES AND 
REPAIR SHOPS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO THE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT 
SADDAM HUSSEIN USES TO CONTROL HIS MILITARY, HAS LESSENED THE 
THREAT IRAQ POSES TO ITS NEIGHBORS.

BUT DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS U-S FORCES REMAIN READY 
TO STRIKE IRAQ IF BAGHDAD THREATENS THOSE NEIGHBORS OR RESUMES 
WORK ON BANNED GERM OR POISON-GAS WEAPONS.  

THOUSANDS OF U-S TROOPS ARE NOW HEADED FOR THE GULF TO STRENGTHEN
THE FORCE THERE, BUT SECRETARY COHEN SAYS HE MAY ORDER THEM TO 
TURN BACK SOON.

GENERAL ZINNI SAYS U-S FORCES HAVE TAKEN PRECAUTIONS AGAINST 
RECENT BOMB THREATS BY TERRORIST GROUPS.

                    /// SECOND ZINNI ACT ///

         I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.  AS YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE 
         BEEN SOME VERY RECENT AND SPECIFIC TERRORIST THREATS 
         [BY] OSAMA BIN LADEN AND OTHERS.  AND WE TAKE THOSE 
         EXTREMELY SERIOUS[LY].

                         /// END ACT ///

GENERAL ZINNI SAYS THE BIGGEST SURPRISE OF "DESERT FOX" WAS THE 
LACK OF RESISTANCE PUT UP BY IRAQI FORCES.  THE GENERAL SAYS MANY
ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS WERE FIRED, BUT FEW, IF ANY, IRAQI AIR-DEFENSE
RADARS AND MISSILES SAW ACTION.   (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/WTW

21-Dec-98 5:37 PM EST (2237 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.