DATE=1/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244640
TITLE=IRAQ-MISSILE-MONDAY L 3RD UPDATE
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN IRAQI AIR DEFENSES AND ALLIED PLANES 
FOR CONTROL OF IRAQ'S AIR SPACE GREW MORE INTENSE MONDAY WITH 
MANY INCIDENTS IN THE NO-FLY ZONES.   U-S OFFICIALS SAY IRAQI 
FORCES AIMED RADAR, ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS, AND MISSILES AT U-S 
PLANES ON PATROL.  V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. 

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY IRAQI FORCES FIRED A SURFACE-TO-AIR 
MISSILE AND ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS AT AMERICAN PLANES.  IN A SERIES 
OF INCIDENTS NEAR THE NORTHERN IRAQI CITY OF MOSUL, ALLIED PLANES
RESPONDED WITH LASER-GUIDED BOMBS AND RADAR-SEEKING MISSILES.   

EARLIER, IRAQ'S NEWS AGENCY SAID AN ALLIED MISSILE WRECKED A 
MARKET IN THE SOUTHERN IRAQ, KILLING SOME CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  
U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY STRUCK AN IRAQI SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE 
SITE NORTH OF BASRA. THEY DENY TARGETING CIVILIANS.  

U-S AIR FORCE CAPTAIN MIKE BLASS SAYS BAGHDAD IS STEPPING UP THE 
STRUGGLE.   

                        // BLASS ACT ///

         YES, THIS IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST NUMBER IN ONE DAY 
         SINCE DESERT FOX.

                       /// END ACT ///   

DECEMBER'S DESERT FOX AIR RAIDS WERE DESIGNED TO PUNISH IRAQ FOR 
FAILING TO COOPERATE WITH U-N EFFORTS TO RID THE COUNTRY OF 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. 

MONDAY'S INCIDENTS GROW OUT OF U-S AND BRITISH EFFORTS TO BAN 
IRAQI FLIGHTS FROM ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF IRAQI TERRITORY.   

WESTERN ALLIES DECLARED THE NO-FLY ZONES AFTER THE 1991 GULF WAR 
TO SLOW BAGHDAD'S ATTACKS ON REBELLIOUS SHI'ITE MUSLIMS AND 
KURDS. IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY THE NO FLY ZONES ARE ILLEGAL. 
(SIGNED).

NEB/JR/LTD/JO

25-Jan-99 11:28 AM EST (1628 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.