DATE=1/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244623
TITLE=IRAQ ATTACK (S)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE IRAQI NEWS AGENCY SAYS U-S OR BRITISH MISSILES HAVE 
STRUCK TARGETS IN THE SOUTHERN CITY OF BASRA, KILLING AN 
UNSPECIFIED NUMBER OF CIVILIANS.  CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB 
REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN CAIRO THE REPORTED ATTACK 
COMES A FEW HOURS AFTER IRAQ STORMED OUT OF A MEETING OF THE ARAB
LEAGUE WHICH CRITICIZED WESTERN MILITARY ACTIONS AGAINST IRAQ.

TEXT:  THE IRAQ NEWS AGENCY SAYS THE ATTACK OCCURRED EARLY 
MONDAY, BUT PROVIDED FEW DETAILS.

CLASHES HAVE BEEN INCREASING IN THE NO-FLY ZONE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ.
U-S WARPLANES SUNDAY TWICE FIRED ON IRAQI AIR DEFENSES AFTER 
BEING TARGETED BY IRAQI RADAR.

THE MILITARY COMMANDER OF THE BASRA ZONE WAS QUOTED SUNDAY AS 
SAYING IRAQ IS REINFORCING ITS DEFENSES IN THE REGION IN 
ANTICIPATION OF RENEWED AIR ATTACKS BY WESTERN FORCES.

IRAQ WALKED OUT OF AN ARAB FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING LATE SUNDAY 
IN CAIRO ACCUSING IT OF UNFAIRLY BLAMING IRAQ FOR THE ATTACKS.  
THE MINISTERS EXPRESSED DISPLEASURE OVER THE ATTACKS, BUT ALSO 
URGED IRAQ TO ABANDON AGGRESSIVE POLICIES IN THE REGION.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/SB/RAE

25-Jan-99 6:25 AM EST (1125 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.