DATE=2/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245936
TITLE= SHELTON / IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES' TOP MILITARY OFFICER SAYS IRAQI CHARGES
THAT U-S WARPLANES STRUCK TARGETS  WEDNESDAY OUTSIDE THE NO-FLY 
ZONES ARE FALSE.  GENERAL HENRY SHELTON, CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S 
JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, SAYS U-S AND ALLIED FORCES WILL CONTINUE 
TO ENFORCE THE ZONES. AS VOA SOUTHEAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT GARY 
THOMAS REPORTS FROM BANGKOK, THE GENERAL SAYS U-S WARPLANES WILL 
STRIKE BACK WHENEVER ATTACKED.

TEXT: AT A BRIEF MEETING WITH REPORTERS DURING A VISIT TO 
BANGKOK, GENERAL SHELTON DISMISSED IRAQI CHARGES THAT U-S 
AIRCRAFT BOMBED TARGETS IN BAGHDAD.  HE SAID THE U-S PLANES HAVE 
NOT CROSSED THE 36TH PARALLEL MARKING THE NORTHERN NO-FLY ZONE OR
THE 33RD PARALLEL DELINEATING THE SOUTHERN ONE.

                                           // SHELTON ACT //

         WE HAVE NOT AND AT THIS POINT DO NOT INTEND TO DO THAT 
         AS AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM.  SO THE REPORT THAT HE IS 
         RUNNING IS ERRONEOUS. WE HAVE NOT GONE ACROSS THE 33RD 
         (PARALLEL) NOR SOUTH OF THE 36TH (PARALLEL).

                                             // END ACT //

IN WHAT THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT CALLS A "GRAVE ESCALATION," IRAQ 
CLAIMS WESTERN AIRCRAFT ATTACKED BAGHDAD WEDNESDAY, KILLING ONE 
PERSON AND WOUNDING SEVERAL OTHERS. 

U-S AND BRITISH WARPLANES HAVE STRUCK TARGETS INSIDE THE ZONE IN 
RECENT DAYS, IN RESPONSE TO WHAT GENERAL SHELTON CALLED 
PROVOCATIONS BY THE FORCES OF IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN.

                                             // SHELTON ACT //

         AS YOU KNOW, HE (SADDAM) DECLARED THAT THE NO-FLY ZONES 
         WOULD BE NULL AND VOID AND CONSEQUENTLY HAS IN RECENT 
         DAYS DECIDED TO BOTH VIOLATE THE NO-FLY ZONE AS WELL AS 
         TO FIRE HIS ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY, HIS SURFACE-TO-AIR 
         MISSILES, AND LIGHT UP OUR AIRCRAFT WITH RADAR, WHICH IS
         AN OFFENSIVE ACTION WITHIN ITSELF.  WE SUBSEQUENTLY HAVE
         ENGAGED EACH TIME HE HAS MADE THOSE VIOLATIONS AND WILL 
         CONTINUE TO DO SO.  WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENFORCE THE 
         NO-FLY ZONES.

                                                // END ACT //

MANY INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BETWEEN U-S AND BRITISH JETS 
AND IRAQI AIR DEFENSES, SINCE IRAQ ANNOUNCED IN DECEMBER IT WOULD
NO LONGER RECOGNIZE THE NO-FLY ZONES, IMPOSED AFTER THE 1991 GULF
WAR. 

A SPOKESMAN WEDNESDAY REITERATED IRAQ'S REFUSAL TO RECOGNIZE THE 
NO-FLY ZONES, SAYING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND 
ITS AIR SPACE. (SIGNED)

NEB/GPT/FC/PLM

25-Feb-99 4:08 AM EST (0908 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.