DATE=2/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245325
TITLE= U-S / IRAQ (S-ONLY)
BYLINE= ANDRE DE NESNERA
DATELINE= WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS DENIED (TUESDAY) THAT ONE OF ITS 
PLANES HAS BEEN HIT BY IRAQI AIR DEFENSE FIRE. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE 
NESNERA REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.

TEXT:  U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN MICHAEL DOUBLEDAY FLATLY 
DENIED IRAQI REPORTS THAT AN AMERICAN PLANE WAS HIT BY IRAQI AIR 
DEFENSE FIRE, WHILE PATROLLING ONE OF THE NO-FLY ZONES OVER IRAQ.

                      // DOUBLEDAY ACT //  

         I HAVE  NOT  ONLY  NO  REASON TO BELIEVE IT IS NOT THE 
         CASE, I HAVE EVERY EVIDENCE THAT THAT ABSOLUTELY DID  
         NOT  OCCUR.  

                         // END ACT // 

MR. DOUBLEDAY TOLD REPORTERS DURING THE REGULAR TUESDAY BRIEFING 
U-S AIR OPERATIONS OVER NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN IRAQ CONTINUE AND 
THE UNITED STATES WILL ENFORCE THOSE TWO NO-FLY ZONES. 

THE PENTAGON SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS IT HAS 
BEEN RELATIVELY QUIET THERE -- AND IN THE PAST FOUR OR FIVE DAYS,
THERE HAVE BEEN  NO STRIKES BY U-S PLANES IN EITHER ONE OF THE 
NO-FLY ZONES.

SINCE THE END OF THE "DESERT FOX" AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST BAGHDAD IN
DECEMBER, THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF CLASHES BETWEEN U-S PLANES 
AND IRAQI AIR DEFENSES AND JETS. (SIGNED)

NEB/ADEN/JO

09-Feb-99 3:45 PM EST (2045 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.