DATE=12/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243517
TITLE=IRAQ ATTACK (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IRAQ'S OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY SAYS IRAQI AIR DEFENSES FIRED
AT FOREIGN AIR CRAFT SATURDAY.  THE ALLEGED INCIDENT FOLLOWS A 
MAJOR BOMBING CAMPAIGN BY U-S AND BRITISH FORCES EARLIER THIS 
MONTH. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.

TEXT:  THE IRAQI NEWS AGENCY SAYS JET PLANES, FLYING FROM THE 
SOUTH, VIOLATED IRAQI AIR SPACE. THE REPORT SAYS IRAQI FORCES 
FIRED AIR DEFENSE WEAPONS AND FORCED THE INTRUDERS TO DUMP THEIR 
BOMBS HARMLESSLY AND FLEE.

A PENTAGON PRESS SPOKESMAN SAYS HE HAS  NO  KNOWLEDGE OF THE 
INCIDENT.

A SIMILAR ALLEGED INCIDENT A FEW DAYS AGO DREW A STRONG DENIAL 
FROM PENTAGON OFFICIALS.

U-S, BRITISH AND OTHER FORCES ROUTINELY PATROL LARGE PARTS OF 
IRAQ TO PREVENT IRAQI WARPLANES FROM ATTACKING SHIA MUSLIMS IN 
THE SOUTH AND KURDS IN THE NORTH.   U-S OFFICIALS SAY IF IRAQI 
FORCES THREATEN ALLIED PLANES BY POINTING CERTAIN KINDS OF RADAR 
AT THEM OR BY FIRING WEAPONS, THE PILOTS ARE PERMITTED TO DEFEND 
THEMSELVES BY FIRING MISSILES BACK. (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/GE

26-Dec-98 10:08 AM EST (1508 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.