DATE= 2/20/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= U-S/IRAQ (S ONLY)

NUMBER=2-272811

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Pentagon is warning Iraq it could face further attacks on its air defenses. V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida reports the warning follows last Friday's U-S and British air strikes on radar facilities close to Baghdad.

TEXT: Pentagon officials says that since the raid, allied air patrols have come under renewed fire from Iraqi surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery.

The U-S and British planes were not hit and did not fire back. But Pentagon spokesman, Rear Admiral Craig Quigley, says retaliation is likely.

///QUIGLEY ACTUALITY///

We reserve the right to respond at a place and time and manner of our choosing.

///END ACTUALITY///

Admiral Quigley suggests Friday's strikes were successful. But he concedes the damage is not likely to be permanent due to Iraq's ability to repair equipment like radars.

However, he declines to discuss published reports that Iraq is receiving Chinese assistance in installing modern underground cables to improve the effectiveness of its air defenses. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/FC