DATE=2/12/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245452
TITLE=IRAQ-FRIDAY (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A U-S WARPLANE BOMBED AN IRAQI ANTI-AIRCRAFT SITE IN THE 
NORTHERN NO-FLY ZONE FRIDAY.  V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS IT'S THE
THIRD CONSECUTIVE DAY OF ARMED CLASHES IN IRAQI SKIES.

TEXT:  U-S OFFICIALS AT TURKEY'S INCIRLIK AIRBASE SAY IRAQI 
TROOPS FIRED ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS AT A U-S FIGHTER BOMBER 
PATROLLING THE NORTHERN NO-FLY ZONE NEAR MOSUL.

THE F-15 RESPONDED BY AIMING A LASER-GUIDED BOMB AT THE FACILITY.
U-S OFFICIALS WON'T SAY WHAT DAMAGE WAS DONE ON THE GROUND.  THEY
DO SAY ALL U-S PLANES ARE SAFELY BACK AT THEIR BASES.  

THE STRUGGLE TO CONTROL IRAQI AIR SPACE RESUMED THREE DAYS AGO 
AFTER A BRIEF LULL. WESTERN POWERS BANNED IRAQI AIRCRAFT FROM 
MORE THAN HALF OF THE COUNTRY AFTER THE 1991 GULF WAR.  

THE GOAL IS TO PROTECT REBELLIOUS SHIITE MUSLIMS AND KURDS FROM 
IRAQI AIR ATTACK.  BAGHDAD CALLS THE ZONES ILLEGAL AND OFTEN 
CHALLENGES U-S AND BRITISH WAR PLANES PATROLLING THEM.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JR/LTD/GE

12-Feb-99 9:48 AM EST (1448 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.