本日早朝、イラクと米軍機の交戦がありました。北部の「飛行禁止区域」でイ
ラクが対空ミサイルを発射して米軍機も応戦した。イラク側は航空機を撃墜した
と言っていますが、アメリカ側は「全員無事」と。
朝日のWebページの見出しは
イラク軍、「敵機を撃墜」と発表
米国は「全機帰還」と強調、撃墜説を全面否定
米も応戦を確認、「適切な対応」と米大統領
以下は、この交戦を伝えるAir Force News。大統領の発言の引用もあります。
「不適切」大統領は、They took appropriate action today「適切な行動を取っ
た」とパイロットを讃えています。
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>From: "82. USAFnews" <usafnews@AFNEWS.AF.MIL>
To: AFNS@AFPRODUCTS.EASE.LSOFT.COM
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 14:45:20 -0600
Subject: 29dec98 - afpn
982004. Allies strike Iraqi missile site
by Senior Master Sgt. Jim Katzaman
Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON -- Allied aircrews struck a surface-to-air missile site in
northern Iraq Dec. 28 after Iraqi ground forces launched missiles
against the aircraft.
Iraqi SAMs attacked coalition aircraft conducting routine enforcement
of
the northern no-fly zone at 1:30 p.m. Iraq time from a site north of
the
town of Mosul.
A Department of Defense statement said, "The aircrews acted in
self-defense and responded with HARM missiles and precision-guided
munitions. There was no damage to coalition aircraft, and all
aircrews
returned safely to base."
The AGM-88 HARM (high-speed anti-radiation missile) is an air-to-surface
tactical missile designed to seek and destroy enemy radar-equipped
air
defense systems. They are carried by F-16C aircraft.
President Clinton said the missile launches were a direct attack against
allied policy for holding Iraq in check.
"The no-fly zones have been and will remain an important part of our
containment policy," Clinton said. "Because we effectively control
the
skies over much of Iraq, Saddam [Hussein] has been unable to use air
power to repress his own people or to lash out again at his neighbors.
"Our pilots have the authority to protect themselves if they're
threatened or attacked. They took appropriate action today in
responding to Iraq's actions."
The president added that the fast U.S. response reinforced his gratitude
for soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving near Iraq.
"I am very proud of the work they do, the risks they take, the skill
and
the professionalism with which they do it," he said. "They attacked
because they were attacked. And they did the appropriate thing.
We
will continue to enforce the no-fly zones."
Despite early Iraqi claims of casualties, "damage to Iraqi forces is
currently under assessment," according to the DOD statement.
"As
always, our pilots will act in self-defense if they are threatened."
The United States has about 20 aircraft, including F-15Cs, F-15E's and
F-16CJs; about 18 support aircraft, including EA-6B's, E-3 Sentry
airborne warning and control systems, tankers, helicopters and logistic
aircraft; and about 1,400 people in support of Northern Watch.
Turkey, England and the United States participate in this combined joint
task force.
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****************************
Masahiko Aoki
青木雅彦
btree@pop11.odn.ne.jp
メールアドレスが変わりました
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