DATE=1/28/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244797
TITLE=ALBRIGHT / SAUDI (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IS IN JORDAN TO
MEET NEW CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH.  SHE ARRIVED IN AMMAN (THURSDAY) 
AFTER A TRIP TO SAUDI ARABIA, WHERE SHE VISITED U-S TROOPS AND 
MET WITH SENIOR SAUDI OFFICIALS.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB 
REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IN CAIRO.

TEXT:  SECRETARY ALBRIGHT VISITED A SAUDI AIR BASE WHERE SHE MET 
WITH U-S TROOPS PATROLLING THE NO-FLY ZONE OVER SOUTHERN IRAQ.  
SHE TOLD THE TROOPS THEIR JOB IS TO DELIVER A SIMPLE MESSAGE TO 
IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN: TO STOP BULLYING (AGGRESSIVE ACTS 
AGAINST) IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS AND TO RESPECT THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE 
U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE MET INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS 
(THURSDAY) WITH SAUDI CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH AND FOREIGN MINISTER 
FAISAL, AND PAID A COURTESY CALL ON KING FAHD.  HER SPOKESMAN 
SAID THE U-S POLICY OF CONTAINMENT AND A CHANGE-OF-REGIME IN IRAQ
WAS THE MAIN TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.

THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT ALLOWS U-S FORCES TO PATROL NO-FLY ZONES 
OVER IRAQ FROM THE PRINCE SULTAN BASE OUTSIDE RIYADH, BUT SAYS IT
DOES NOT SUPPORT THE U-S POLICY OF PROMOTING A CHANGE OF 
GOVERNMENT IN BAGHDAD.

CLASHES BETWEEN U-S AIR PATROLS AND IRAQI AIR DEFENSES HAVE 
INCREASED THIS WEEK.  U-S OFFICIALS SAY A MISSILE MISTAKENLY 
STRUCK A RESIDENTIAL AREA MONDAY OUTSIDE THE SOUTHERN CITY OF 
BASRA.  IRAQ SAID FIVE MISSILES STRUCK RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND 
ANNOUNCED 18 CIVILIANS HAD BEEN KILLED. 

THE IRAQI PARLIAMENT WEDNESDAY CALLED FOR THE OVERTHROW OF THE 
SAUDI AND KUWAITI GOVERNMENTS, ACCUSING THEM OF SUPPORTING U-S 
POLICIES IN THE REGION.

                        /// REST OPT. ///

MS. ALBRIGHT VISITED EGYPT WEDNESDAY, WHERE SHE MET EGYPTIAN 
OFFICIALS WHO SAID THE TWO GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT THE ARAB LEAGUE 
STATEMENT.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE FIRST 
SINCE THE FOUR NIGHTS OF U-S AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ LAST MONTH.
THE AIR STRIKES BROUGHT WIDESPREAD ARAB CRITICISM AND ANGRY 
PROTESTS IN A DOZEN ARAB COUNTRIES.

ANALYSTS SAY POPULAR OPINION IN THE REGION STILL RUNS LARGELY 
AGAINST MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ.  BUT THEY SAY MANY PEOPLE 
HAVE BEEN UPSET BY IRAQ'S HARSH CRITICISM OF THE ARAB LEAGUE AND 
BY ITS WAR OF WORDS WITH A NUMBER OF MODERATE GOVERNMENTS IN THE 
REGION.   (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/RAE

28-Jan-99 9:14 AM EST (1414 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.