DATE=10/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=UNREADY FLEET (L)
NUMBER=2-255497
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO: The Admiral who leads the U-S Navy says a key 
part of the fleet may not be ready for combat and may 
not be fit for operations in Iraqi waters.  The Chief 
of Naval Operations says the problem is that a 
political fight is blocking training for pilots aboard 
a U-S aircraft carrier.  As V-O-A's Jim Randle 
reports, the comments came during a hearing of the 
Senate Armed Services Committee.

TEXT:  Under persistent questioning from Oklahoma 
Republican Senator James Inhofe, Admiral Jay Johnson 
said he will consider keeping the U-S-S Eisenhower in 
home waters instead of sending it to enforce the no-
fly zones over Iraq.  The Admiral gave no indication 
that such an action is likely, only that he would 
consider it.

The Eisenhower's pilots are scheduled for training 
soon at the bombing range on the Puerto Rican Island 
of Vieques.  But the practice range has been closed 
since last April, when a stray bomb killed a security 
guard employed at the range.

Since that time, Puerto Rican activists have been 
camping in the middle of the practice range, demanding 
an end to the Navy's training and vowing to block 
bombs with their bodies.  Puerto Rican political 
leaders have told prior congressional hearings that 
the protest enjoys nearly unanimous support from 
people in the Commonwealth.

            /// Opt ///

Puerto Rico, a former Spanish colony, is a 
commonwealth of the United States.  Its residents are 
U-S Citizens, but do not have voting representation in 
Congress, or pay U-S federal taxes.

            /// End Opt ///

Military officers say it is "foolish and dangerous" to 
send pilots into combat without first honing their 
skills to a sharp edge.  Carrier-based pilots are 
among the forces that fly daily combat missions over 
Iraq, where they often encounter antiaircraft missiles 
and respond with bombs. 

Admiral Johnson says no other place offers the 
realistic kind of training that has been done at 
Vieques for more than half a century.  

            /// Johnson Act ///

      Patchwork would have to be done if you don't 
      have the opportunity in December.  And then we 
      have to assess the risk and make the decision 
      there.  It will be a tough decision.

            /// End Act ///

The Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, 
John Warner of Virginia, says he will hold special 
hearings to determine if the Eisenhower is ready to go 
into combat situations as scheduled early next year.

Mr. Warner says he is so concerned by the issue that 
he will call senators to Washington during a 
congressional recess if necessary.

Meantime, Defense Secretary William Cohen is 
considering a recommendation from a panel of experts 
that the Navy be allowed to resume bombing practice on 
Vieques, but find a new target range within five 
years.

Mr. Cohen says he will examine the issue and make his 
own recommendation to the President.  He has asked 
military commanders and Puerto Rican political leaders 
to talk over the matter and see if they can work out 
some sort of compromise. (Signed).

NEB/JR/LTD/JP




26-Oct-1999 13:48 PM EDT (26-Oct-1999 1748 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.