EGYPT: 5 US WARSHIPS PASS THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL

(9 Feb 1998) Natural Sound

Five American warships have passed through the Suez Canal, heading to the Persian Gulf.

They'll join some twenty warships as part of the U-S military build-up in the region.

It comes as U-S Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, repeated her warning that time was running out for a diplomatic solution to the Iraqi weapons crisis.

The USS Guam accompanied by the destroyer USS Shreveport and three other ships entered the canal at Port Said in Egypt.

The amphibious assault ship is the latest reinforcement for the United States' already formidable armada in the Persian Gulf.

On board this fleet of vessels is a Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The vessel is carrying 2,000 Marines equipped with six Cobra attack helicopters, amphibious assault and armoured vehicles and a handful of tanks.

It could take them about a week to reach the Gulf, where nearly 20 U.S. warships, including the aircraft carriers USS Independence and USS George Washington are already on patrol.

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