DATE=2/19/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245717
TITLE=IRAQ ATTACK (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-S WARPLANES FRIDAY HAVE AGAIN STRUCK A RADAR 
INSTALLATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ.  V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT 
SCOTT BOBB SAYS A U-S MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE ATTACK OCCURRED
AFTER THE PLANES WERE TARGETED BY IRAQI RADAR.

TEXT:  TWO F-16 JETS FIRED GUIDED MISSILES AT THE IRAQI RADAR 
UNIT FRIDAY NEAR THE NORTHERN CITY OF MOSUL. THE ATTACK OCCURRED 
AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF RELATIVE QUIET. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE 
PLANES RETURNED UNHARMED TO THEIR BASE IN SOUTHERN TURKEY.

THE NO-FLY ZONES HAD BEEN RELATIVELY QUIET, AFTER ALMOST DAILY 
CLASHES IN RECENT WEEKS. IRAQ HAS BEEN PRESSING FOR AN END TO THE
AIR PATROLS, SAYING THEY ARE ILLEGAL AND VIOLATE ITS TERRITORIAL 
SOVEREIGNTY. //OPT// THE PATROLS WERE ESTABLISHED AFTER THE GULF 
WAR TO PROTECT DISSIDENT POPULATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN 
IRAQ FROM AIR ATTACKS BY THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT. //END OPT//

IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TARIQ AZIZ VISITED TURKEY EARLIER 
THIS WEEK IN AN ATTEMPT TO PERSUADE THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO 
WITHDRAW PERMISSION FOR U-S AND BRITISH PLANES TO USE THE TURKISH
AIR BASE FOR PATROLS OVER NORTHERN IRAQ. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT 
REPORTEDLY TURNED DOWN THE REQUEST.

IRAQ HAS SAID BASES IN TURKEY, KUWAIT AND SAUDI ARABIA USED FOR 
THE AIR PATROLS IN THE NO-FLY ZONES COULD COME UNDER ATTACK. THE 
THREAT BROUGHT AN ANGRY RESPONSE FROM THE THREE COUNTRIES AND A 
WARNING BY U-S OFFICIALS OF RETALIATION FOR ANY SUCH ATTACK. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/SB/PCF/GE

19-Feb-99 8:47 AM EST (1347 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.