DATE=4/2/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247567
TITLE=PENTAGON-IRAQ (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS, U-S AND IRAQI FORCES HAVE 
CLASHED IN THE NO-FLY ZONE COVERING THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE 
COUNTRY.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT:  THE ARMED FORCES' CENTRAL COMMAND SAYS TWO IRAQI PLANES 
VIOLATED THE ZONE FRIDAY.  A SPOKESMAN, (NAVY) LIEUTENANT 
COMMANDER ERNEST DUPLESSIS, SAYS AMERICAN JETS RESPONDED.

                         // DUPLESSIS ACT //

         THREE U-S AIR FORCE F-16 FIGHTING FALCON AIRCRAFT THAT 
         WERE ENFORCING THE SOUTHERN NO-FLY ZONE STRUCK AN IRAQI 
         COMMUNICATION CONTROL FACILITY APPROXIMATELY ONE-HUNDRED
         MILES (160 KILOMETERS) SOUTHEAST OF AL-BASRA.

                            // END ACT //

THE PLANES ALSO HIT A SECOND TARGET, A RADIO RELAY STATION CLOSER
TO BASRA.  LIEUTENANT COMMANDER DUPLESSIS SAYS THE F-16S 
ENCOUNTERED  NO  HOSTILE FIRE FROM THE GROUND AND RETURNED SAFELY
TO BASE.  HE DENIES AN EARLIER IRAQI REPORT THAT AMERICAN PLANES 
BOMBED A RESIDENTIAL AREA.

THIS IS THE FIRST SUCH INCIDENT IN TWO WEEKS AFTER A SERIES OF 
ALMOST DAILY CLASHES FOLLOWING THE HEAVY U-S ATTACKS ON IRAQ IN 
MID-DECEMBER.  THE PENTAGON TALLIED SCORES OF ENTRIES IN THE 
PROHIBITED AIRSPACE SINCE THEN.  LIEUTENANT COMMANDER DUPLESSIS 
SAYS IT IS  NOT  CLEAR WHY THE IRAQIS BREACHED THE ZONE AGAIN.

                         // DUPLESSIS ACT //

         WE HAVE NO IDEA OF WHY (IT HAPPENED AT) THIS MOMENT.  
         BUT WE DO HAVE THE RESOLVE THAT OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH
         DOES CONTINUE AND WE WILL RESPOND TO ANY THREATS IN THAT
         AREA.

                            // END ACT //

THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES HAVE BEEN PATROLLING THE SKIES 
IN BOTH SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN IRAQ SINCE THE GULF WAR ENDED EIGHT
YEARS AGO. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/LTD/KL

02-Apr-99 12:18 PM EST (1718 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.