U.S. ASSURES KURDS OF PROTECTION FROM SADDAM

ANKARA [MENL] -- The United States has reassured Kurds in northern Iraq thatthey will be protected from any attack by President Saddam Hussein. The pledge was relayed in a meeting on Tuesday between a U.S. delegationand Kurdish leaders. The U.S. delegation was headed by Deputy AssistantSecretary of State Ryan Crocker.