DATE=1/23/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244570
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ, UPDATE (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

(EDS: NEW DETAILS ON ENGAGEMENT, GRAFS ONE, TWO)

INTRO:   U-S OFFICIALS SAY AMERICAN PLANES FOUGHT ANOTHER DUEL 
WITH IRAQI AIR DEFENSE FORCES SATURDAY.  NO U-S PLANES WERE HIT 
AND OFFICIALS ARE STILL ASSESSING DAMAGE TO THE IRAQI FORCES.  
V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.

TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY U-S F-14'S AND F-18'S WERE ON PATROL
OVER IRAQ WHEN IRAQI MIG-21 FIGHTERS DARTED INTO THE SOUTHERN 
NO-FLY ZONE AND IRAQI ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNS FIRED AT THE AMERICAN 
PLANES.  

SOME OF THE U-S PLANES RESPONDED BY DROPPING LASER-GUIDED BOMBS 
ON IRAQI ANTIAIRCRAFT MISSILE POSITIONS.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THE 
WEAPONS HIT THEIR TARGETS.  THEY SAY ALL U-S PLANES RETURNED 
SAFELY TO THE "U-S-S CARL VINSON," AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER OPERATING 
IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ORDERED IRAQ TO STOP ATTACKING MINORITY 
KURDS AND SHI'ITES SHORTLY AFTER THE 1991 GULF WAR.  WASHINGTON 
SAYS THAT GIVES U-S FORCES THE LEGAL BASIS TO BAN IRAQI FLIGHTS 
FROM MUCH OF IRAQI AIR SPACE. BAGHDAD SAYS THE NO FLY ZONES ARE 
ILLEGAL AND HAS BEEN CHALLENGING U-S AND BRITISH PLANES IN THE 
AREA.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/GE

23-Jan-99 2:43 PM EST (1943 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.