DATE=2/18/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245694
TITLE=U-S / IRAQ (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=ANDRE DE NESNERA
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT HAS REJECTED REPORTS FROM 
BAGDHAD OF INCIDENTS IN THE NORTHERN NO-FLY ZONE OVER IRAQ. 
V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT:  U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN MICHAEL DOUBLEDAY REFUTED
OFFICIAL NEWS REPORTS FROM BAGDHAD THAT U-S AIRPLANES ATTACKED AN
IRAQI ANTI-AIRCRAFT POSITION WHILE PATROLLING THE NORTHERN NO-FLY
ZONE IN THAT COUNTRY.

                       // DOUBLEDAY ACT //

         FROM ALL I CAN TELL ON THIS, THIS MAY BE THE CASE OF AN 
         OVERZEALOUS PUBLIC RELATIONS PERSON FOR THE IRAQI 
         MILITARY SIMPLY HAVING PREPARED A PRESS RELEASE AND WHEN
         EVENTS DID  NOT  OCCUR AS HE HAD FORECAST, THAT HE PUT 
         IT OUT ANYWAY. 

                          // END ACT //

THE PENTAGON SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE SOME U-S FLIGHTS IN THE 
NORTHERN NO-FLY ZONE THURSDAY. HE SAID THE WEATHER THERE WAS BAD 
AND  NO  INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHATSOEVER. (SIGNED) 


NEB/ADEN/PT


18-Feb-99 3:32 PM EST (2032 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.