COBOL/DB2 Date edit question

Help please.
The following code fails - think I've missed something simple.
Table and column exist, database is connected.
I thought I could get a field off screen and edit it via the
SQL below but I get a compile error. I get the same error for
Time and Timestamp fields.
Might there be an 'industry standard' for dealing with these
types of fields?
My docs give little guidance on this and since I work in
isolation there's no-one to ask.
Environment is Visualage Cobol 2.2, DB2 V7.2

02 MP1ZADATEI PIC X(00010).

*------------------------------
E1-ADATE.
*------------------------------
IF MP1ZADATEL NOT = ZERO
EXEC SQL DATE(MP1ZADATEI) END-EXEC
IF SQLCODE = -180
..ETC

--------------------------------------------------------------------
SQL0060W The "COBOL" precompiler is in progress.
83 SQL0062W Starting INCLUDE of file
"E:\conrad\edi1\THEBOOK.cbl".
83 SQL0063W Completed INCLUDE of file "THEBOOK.cbl".
1057 SQL0104N An unexpected token "DATE" was found following
"BEGIN-OF-STATEMENT". Expected tokens may include:
"SELECT". SQLSTATE=42601

Any help or code examples appreciated. please, thanks.


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