DATE=3/11/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246500
TITLE=COHEN / EGYPT (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN (TODAY/THURSDAY) MET 
OFFICIALS IN EGYPT BEFORE HEADING TO ISRAEL.  THE VISIT CAME AT 
THE END OF A WEEK-LONG TRIP TO THE MIDDLE EAST -- A TRIP THAT HAS
FOCUSED ON U-S POLICY TOWARD IRAQ AND MILITARY RELATIONS WITH 
FRIENDLY NATIONS IN THE REGION.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB 
REPORTS FROM CAIRO.

TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN THURSDAY CALLED HIS 
MEETINGS WITH SENIOR EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS VALUABLE AND INDICATED 
THE DISCUSSIONS COVERED MOST MIDDLE EAST ISSUES.

BUT THE DEFENSE SECRETARY ALSO MET THE SAME QUESTIONS HERE THAT 
HE HAS ADDRESSED THROUGHOUT HIS VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST -- 
NAMELY, WHY DO U-S PLANES CONTINUE TO ATTACK IRAQ? 

                        ///COHEN ACT.///

         WE WANT A UNIFIED, PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS COUNTRY THAT 
         RESPECTS ITS PEOPLE AND ITS NEIGHBORS. AND THE BEST WAY 
         TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL IS FOR IRAQ TO COMPLY WITH THE U-N 
         SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. INSTEAD, SADDAM HUSSEIN IS
         HIDING AND HOLDING HIS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. HE'S
         TRIED TO SHOOT DOWN PLANES THAT ARE PATROLLING THE 
         NO-FLY ZONES, FORCING US TO REACT IN SELF-DEFENSE.

                         ///END ACT.///

MR. COHEN EMPHASIZED THE U-S ATTACKS ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT 
MILITARY TARGETS IN IRAQ.

THE DEFENSE SECRETARY HEARD SOME PUBLIC CRITICISM OF THE U-S 
ATTACKS DURING HIS TRIP.  HE SAID THE U-S GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS A 
MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE GULF REGION AT THE REQUEST OF THE GULF 
NATIONS. 

                     ///SECOND COHEN ACT///

         THE GULF STATES WANT OUR PRESENCE SO THEY CAN FEEL 
         SECURE AND HAVE A STABLE AREA THAT ALLOWS INVESTMENT TO 
         FLOW IN. BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE STABILITY IN A REGION, 
         INVESTMENT WILL FLOW. AND FROM THAT INVESTMENT WILL FLOW
         PROSPERITY.

                          ///END ACT///

MR. COHEN SAID AS A RESULT, THE U-S GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO 
MAINTAIN ITS FORCES IN THE GULF REGION AS LONG AS IS NECESSARY.

///REST OPT/// 

THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY PRAISED RELATIONS WITH EGYPT AND 
ANNOUNCED THE SALE OF THREE-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ADVANCED U-S
WEAPONS. THESE INCLUDE 24 (F-16) FIGHTER PLANES, 32 PATRIOT 
MISSILES AND 200 ARMORED TANKS.

DURING HIS TOUR, THE DEFENSE SECRETARY ALSO ANNOUNCED BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS WORTH OF ARMS SALES TO SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING
BAHRAIN, SAUDI ARABIA, AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, AND A MAJOR 
MILITARY AID PROGRAM TO JORDAN.

THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WAS ASKED IF THESE SALES WOULD FUEL THE
ARMS RACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST?  HE RESPONDED BY SAYING THE 
MILITARY SALES ARE COMING AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTRIES AND ARE
NOT  SOMETHING HE IS INSISTING THEY ACQUIRE. 

DURING HIS TOUR, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN ALSO PROPOSED 
ENHANCING MILITARY COOPERATION WITH ALLIES IN THE REGION. THE 
PROPOSALS INCLUDE SHARING U-S SATELLITE INFORMATION ON MISSILE 
TESTS AND STUDYING WAYS TO COUNTER CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL 
WEAPONS ATTACKS. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/PCF



11-Mar-99 10:01 AM EST (1501 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.