DATE: Monday, October 13, 1997              TAG: 9710130074
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A10  EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: DUBAI                             LENGTH:   23 lines

NIMITZ REACHES GULF ONE DAY AFTER IRAN LAUNCHES WAR GAMES

The aircraft carrier Nimitz arrived in the Persian Gulf on Sunday, a day after Iran launched major naval maneuvers in the strategic waterway.

The United States ordered the Nimitz to the area two weeks ahead of schedule after Iranian warplanes bombed two Iranian insurgent bases in southern Iraq on Sept. 29. The raids violated the Western allies' ``no-fly'' zone.

On Saturday, the Iranian navy started 10 days of war games, which state-run Tehran television said were meant to ``display Iran's capability and increasing strength . . . in the face of the onslaught of foreigners.''

Asked about the possibility of a conflict with the United States, Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said Tuesday: ``We don't see any reason for friction, but we cannot speak about the belligerence of the other side.''

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