DATE=  11/4/97

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-222154

TITLE=U-2 DEFENSE (S)

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  BAGHDAD IS THREATENING TO SHOOT DOWN U-S SPY PLANES THAT 

HELP U-N EXPERTS SEARCH FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ. 

V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE PENTAGON'S TOP OFFICIAL SAYS AN 

ATTACK ON THE U-2 WOULD HAVE "SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES" FOR BAGHDAD.



TEXT: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN TOLD REPORTERS THE U-2  

FLIGHTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SEARCH FOR BANNED WEAPONS --

AND THEY WILL CONTINUE, IN SPITE OF THE THREAT.  HE URGED IRAQ TO

AVOID FURTHER ESCALATING TENSIONS IN THE AREA.



                       /// COHEN ACT  ///



         SHOULD THERE BE ANY EFFORT TO EITHER ATTACK THAT 

         AIRCRAFT OR PUT IT IN ANY DANGER, WE WOULD VIEW THAT 

         WITH VERY GRAVE, AS A VERY GRAVE MATTER, AND WITH 

         SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.



                        /// END ACT  ///



THOSE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE INFLICTED BY CRUISE MISSILES LAUNCHED

FROM U-S SHIPS OR BOMBERS, OR FROM SOME OF THE TWO HUNDRED U-S 

AIR CRAFT CURRENTLY DEPLOYED IN OR NEAR THE GULF.  



PENTAGON EXPERTS SAY IT IS POSSIBLE -- BUT DIFFICULT -- FOR IRAQ 

TO HIT THE HIGH FLYING U-2 CAMERA PLANE.  (SIGNED)



NEB/JR/MMK



04-Nov-97 1:57 PM EST (1857 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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