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To: Chuzzlewit who wrote (20944)	4/30/1998 8:39:00 PM
From: Broken_Clock	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 95453

Chuz...you know more than cramer!

To: Chuzzlewit who wrote (20944)	4/30/1998 8:40:00 PM
From: 007	Respond to of 95453

Report from Home Office Global Intelligence Update May 1, 1998 U.S. Reportedly Deploys "Bunker-Busters" to the Persian Gulf According to an April 28 report in the London-based newspaper "Al-Quds al- Arabi," the United States has recently restructured its air units in Bahrain in a manner which seems to indicate an increased preparedness to carry out strikes against Iraq. The newspaper reported that the previous deployment of 18 F-16 Falcon multi-role fighters, two B-1 bombers, and four KC-135 in-flight refueling tankers has been replaced by a new air wing consisting of 12 F-15 Eagle interceptors, 12 F-15A Strike Eagle attack aircraft, 12 F-16 fighters, three B-1 bombers and four KC-135 tankers. The most significant feature of this new force structure, notes Al-Quds al- Arabi, is the fact that the long-range F-15A strike aircraft are capable of carrying 5,000 pound bunker-penetrating bombs. The "bunker busters" would be necessary for any attack on Iraq's command and control infrastructure to be effective, since it is believed that Iraq's headquarters, communications, and arsenals of banned arms and munitions are located in bunkers deep underground. The newspaper questioned whether this deployment marked the beginning of a quiet U.S. build-up in anticipation of a breakdown in relations with Iraq. If the United States is, in fact, preparing for yet another strike against Saddam Hussein, this move comes at an unusual time. Even the Clinton administration has acknowledged that Iraq has recently been unusually cooperative with UN inspectors. Iraq appears to be cooperating with U.S. ally Turkey on finally eliminating the PKK. U.S. officials in the Gulf have begun to reassert the threat posed to the region by Iran. The domestic political situation in Tehran appears to be deteriorating, foreboding more pressing concerns in the region than Iraqi posturing. Finally, the omnipresent atmosphere of scandal in Washington has temporarily subsided, and hardly calls for a foreign "distraction." As our long-time readers are aware, apparent U.S. preparation for air strikes against Iraq runs counter to our analysis of the situation in the Gulf. We have argued that the United States has turned away from a planned crushing attack against Saddam Hussein, out of concern over such a move strengthening Iran. It is possible that U.S. strategy in the region has once again fundamentally shifted, or that this event lacks the significance attributed it by the Arabic press. Either way, the presence of "bunker busters" in the Gulf is worth noting.