DATE=12/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243454
TITLE=GULF TROOPS HOME (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  JUST DAYS AFTER A MAJOR SERIES OF AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ, 
THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING HOME THOUSANDS OF TROOPS AND SOME 
PLANES.  DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE CUTS WILL LEAVE
A POWERFUL GORCE IN!PLACE TIAT COULD STRIKE IRAQ AGAIN IF IT 
THREATENS ITS NEIGHBORS.  JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT:  THE ORDER WILL MOVE SEVERAL DOZEN FIGHTERS, BOMBERS, AND 
OTHER PLANES BACK TO U-S BASES.  A NUMBER OF GROUND TROOPS ARE 
ALSO HEADING HOME, AND THE THOUSANDS OF SAILORS AND MARINES 
ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER "ENTERPRISE" AND ITS ESCORT SHIPS 
WILL HEAD TO THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA ON A MORE ROUTINE PATROL.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE CHANGES WILL CUT U-S 
FORCES TO ABOUT 22-THOUSAND MEN AND WOMEN, WITH ABOUT 200 
AIRCRAFT, AND A DOZEN SHIPS.

THAT IS ABOUT THE SAME STRENGTH AS U-S FORCES IN THE GULF BEFORE 
TENSIONS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER SPARKED A SHARP INCREASE IN U-S
MILITARY POWER IN THE AREA. 

MR. COHEN SAYS THE REMAINING FORCE WILL BE ENOUGH TO CARRY OUT 
THE AIR STRIKES HE HAS PROMISED TO MAKE IF IRAQ RESUMES 
PRODUCTION OF BANNED WEAPONS OR OTHERWISE THREATENS ITS 
NEIGHBORS.

MR. COHEN IS VISITING U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL IN SAUDI ARABIA, 
KUWAIT AND ABOARD THE U-S-S ENTERPRISE, THE AIR CRAFT CARRIER 
THAU LAUNCHED MANY OF THE STRIKE AIR CRAFT THAT POUNDED IRAQI 
TARGETS ON FOUR NIGHTS LAST WEEK.

MR. COHEN AND OTHER LEADERS OF THE U-S MILITARY MAKE A POINT OF 
VISITING TROOPS AT CHRISTMAS TIME WHEN THE STRAIN OF STANDING 
WATCH FAR FROM HOME AND FAMILY SEEMS GREATER THAN USUAL.  MR. 
COHEN TELLS SAILORS, AIRMEN, SOLDIERS AND MARINES THE COUNTRY 
APPRECIATES THEIR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE, AND THAT THEY ARE DOING 
A GOOD JOB.

BACK IN WASHINGTON, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ALSO PRAISED THE TROOPS' 
PERFORMANCE, BUT SOME QUESTION THE WISDOM OF WASHINGTON'S OVERALL
POLICY TOWARD IRAQ.

REPRESENTATIVE PORTER GOSS HEADS THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON 
INTELLIGENCE AND HE PLANS TO HOLD HEARINGS ON THE IRAQ RAIDS 
EARLY NEXT YEAR. 

                        /// GOSS ACT /// 

         AND NOW THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY 
         HAPPENED ABOUT MEASURING SUCCESS.  WHAT HAVE WE 
         ACCOMPLISHED?  AND THEN THERE IS THE FINAL QUESTION; 
         WHERE EXACTLY ARE WE GOING?  IS THERE A PLAN, AND THE 
         EVIDENCE IS THAT THERE APPEARS TO BE NONE TO GO FORWARD 
         FROM HERE. 

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. GOSS, A REPUBLICAN, SAYS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE LIKELY TO 
ASK POINTED QUESTIONS OF THE DEMOCRATIC CLINTON ADMINISTRATION 
ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE RAIDS.  HE SAYS THEY ALSO WANT TO ASSESS 
WHETHER THE ATTACKS HELPED OR HURT WASHINGTON'S EFFORTS TO STOP 
THE SPREAD OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AND ITS HOPES OF 
REMOVING IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN FROM POWER. 

DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THE RAIDS WERE A "SUCCESS," WHILE 
THE COMMANDER OG OPERATION DESERT FOX, GENERAL ANTHONY ZINNI, 
SAYS THEY MAY HAVE BEEN THE MOST ACCURATE CAMPAIGN IN MILITARY 
HISTORY.  

MR. GOSS DOES NOT DISPUTE THAT, BUT SAYS HE WONDERS IF THE POLICY
IS AIMED AT THE RIGHT TARGETS.   (SIGNED)

NEB/RAE

23-Dec-98 11:17 AM EST (1617 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.