Media Brief 4 FEB 91

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Q: ,You gave us an indication of the number of bridges left in the north~south supply routes a
little earlier this week. Can yon update that at all? It sounded like there were hardly any then. Ai~
there any now?
A: Any bridges left? As 1 z~collect my numbers. I don't have total, but I think we'd struck
about 40 bridges both main an4 supporting bridges. It's not every bridge, obviously, in Iraq.
~ose ones that~are the critical lines of communications (liat lead into the Kuwait (heater of
operations. We have targeted all of those. I don't have the numbers at my fingertips1 but It was a
substantial nwnber -* 27 out of 35 that were significant that have been damaged or destroyed. And
keep in mind, we continue to reservice those targets. if we find that he's trying to repair and has
tepair~ a critical bridge, that Is 1 hIgh priority Larget and we go back and strLke it the next day or
the day after.

- Q: Since this is the first time that one of the battleships has been In action in tliis particular
forum1 can you tell us what role they are playing in the general picture? What can they do that other
assets you have can't do?
A: I think it's important to recognize that we use all the weapon systems available. If we
have one that has a unique capability In the battleship with the 16 Inch round that's 2,000 poLuids
with the kind of accuracy we're talking about, when that system is in range, it can take on any
targets. It's a great weapon system. So the battleship will be employed based on its ability to hit
targets. I would say that's it. It's a great weapon systcm, and it will be employed along with all the
other systems we have, and we'll use the best weapon systems to attack a given target.

Q: A French miUtary spokesman says that allied air attacks on chemical installations have
released toxins into the atmosphere in Iraq. He also says he thinks there's no danger from those
toxins. Do you share that view1 and on what grounds would you say there might be no danger?
A: I would say to that report that we have, in attacking those targets, attacked them in such
way, and~I can't give you all the technical aspects of it, to minimise the potential for that, tor any
of those toxins to go into the air. it's not to say that It couldn't happen, but certainly with a view
to minImizing, if not eliminating, any possible contamination of the surrounding areas. It's been done
very carefully. I can't say that some may not be in the air and the immediate surroundings, but I
suspect there would be no serio~s damage to any Community.

Q: If you brought the battleship up and it's got a 25 mile range, that scents to indicate that
it's fairly close to Kuwait or the northern end of the ~ulf. Does that indicate that you think you've
eliminated all the SillIworm and ExOcet possibllities il~a~ would go against him?
A: We clearly would not put a battleship at unne-cessary risk. I'm not saying a Siikworn~
can't do damage, but a battleship is a pretty healthy ship. It has reinforced steel anywhere ftom
2'1!2 to 17 inches, and all of Its vital areas are well protected. It's a pretty sturdy ship. I'm not
saying we're putting it in harm's way, but clearly, our decision to put that weapon system wl)e~ It
can fire and support the KTO operations, we've done it with that in mind, that we are protecting
that system.

Q: `Ihere's a British pool report that says the British doctors are inoculating soldiers against
plague, that they LhLitk there may be wmething in chemical weapons that Iraq may use. Are there
specific diseases or ailments that the United States military personnel are being inoculated against, and
what would those be? Do you a~rtt that the plague is one or them?
A: The plague doesn't ringa bell. We've heard allusions to anthrax and those kinds of
6~s~nses, bu~ th~ Important part of our procedures Is the best protection against anything -* be it