The Militant - August 13, 2001 -- Washington threatens new military assaults on Iraq

Vol.65/No.31 August 13, 2001

Washington threatens new military assaults on Iraq

BY MAURICE WILLIAMS
U.S. national security adviser Condo-leezza Rice threatened Iraq with intensified military attacks July 29, three days after the Pentagon reported an Iraqi missile nearly hit a U-2 spy plane patrolling the "no-fly zone" in southern Iraq. She said the administration would consider using U.S. firepower "in a more resolute manner, and not just a manner of tit-for-tat with [Baghdad] every day."

Underscoring the Iraqi government's refusal to recognize the "no-fly zones" imposed over the country, an Iraqi Air Defense spokesman stated, "We confirm our right to defend the sovereignty of our land." Baghdad denied firing a missile at a U.S. spy plane, asserting that Washington is creating a pretext for "a new air raid on Iraqi radar sites and defenses."

Democratic congressman Richard Gephardt threw in his support for launching an attack on the Iraqi people saying, "I fully back the administration in sending further messages to Saddam Hussein that we intend to keep this policy in place."

According to CNN, Pentagon officials said Washington's targets will include early warning radar sites. U.S. aircraft conduct routine bombing raids on Iraqi territory. On July 17 U.S. and British warplanes struck an anti-aircraft artillery facility in southern Iraq.

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