This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Striking Back At Iraq

Forty-four U.S. missiles streaked across the sky last week in Iraq. Citizens ran for cover as air-raid sirens sounded in cities across that Asian land. Confusion and panic swept the country, and seven deaths were reported. The missiles were not aimed at Iraq's capital of Baghdad or at the Iraqi people. They were aimed at military bases and missile sites in the south.

Although the U.S. missiles hit their targets, there was little joy on the warships and B-52 bombers that fired them. The Americans knew that even "smart bombs," which are guided by computers, can harm people. Said Commander Mark Danley of the U.S.S. Laboon: "We were very proud, but there was no cheering or high-fiving."

A Message To Saddam Hussein
President Bill Clinton ordered the attacks to send a message to Iraq's ruler, Saddam Hussein (Sah-dahm Who-sayn). "When you abuse your own people or threaten your neighbors," said the President, "you must pay a price."

For years Saddam has been abusing his people and threatening his neighbors. Iraq is located in a region of the world that is very important to the U.S., because it is the source of most of the world's oil. In 1991 the U.S. and its allies went to war with Saddam to stop Iraq's invasion of neighboring Kuwait and to protect valuable oil fields. In a few short weeks, the allies dealt Saddam a crushing defeat.

At the end of the Persian Gulf War, the Kurds, a minority group living in northern Iraq, rebelled against Saddam's cruel rule. The Kurds wanted to set up their own country. The U.S. and its allies drew an imaginary line just south of the Kurdish city of Erbil and created a protected area for the Kurds. Saddam was warned not to attack the Kurds.

Recently Saddam ignored that warning and sent 40,000 of his soldiers to Erbil. President Clinton ordered the U.S. strikes after Iraq's forces attacked and captured the city.

Saddam claims he was just trying to stop the Kurds from fighting among themselves. Some Kurds had actually asked him for help. Saddam called the U.S. attack a "cowardly and humiliating raid." He ordered his forces to ignore the "imaginary lines" drawn by the allies.

However, at week's end it seemed as if Iraq's ruler had heard President Clinton's message loud and clear. Saddam began pulling most of his troops out of the Kurdish safe area. "Our mission," declared President Clinton, "has been achieved."

Next: Summertime News