Military

DATE=8/5/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON / IRAQ (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-306206

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is voicing fresh confidence that U-S troops will find deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. But as V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida reports, Mr. Rumsfeld says it is impossible to know if Saddam's death or capture is imminent.

TEXT: In recent days, U-S commanders in Iraq have indicated troops are close on Saddam's heels. "The noose is tightening" is the way one general put it.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld praises the enthusiasm of his senior officers. But he tells reporters at the Pentagon that until the ousted Iraqi leader is found, it will not be clear whether his American pursuers were in fact close.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

The folks that are trying to find him are enthusiastic and they think they're getting closer and I'm for that, I like that enthusiasm. But if you ask me are we getting closer, I'll say I'll let you know when we catch him. Until you have him, you don't have him. And we need to find him and we're going to find him.

///END ACTUALITY///

Mr. Rumsfeld says the deaths of Saddam's sons in a recent shoot-out with U-S troops marked a turning point in the post-war era. He says the deaths have helped persuade ordinary Iraqis the Baathist regime is finished and prompted an outpouring of new tips about the whereabouts of other fugitive Iraqi leaders and weapons caches.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

As more Iraqis step forward with information and assistance, coalition forces have conducted scores of raids against the remnants that still exist in the country. Within recent weeks, coalition forces have captured literally many hundreds of individuals. They have now captured or killed 38 of the top 55 most wanted.

///END ACTUALITY///

In addition, Mr. Rumsfeld says they have confiscated millions of dollars and seized thousands of weapons.

But the U-S Defense Secretary calls for patience, saying success - military and political - will take time.

He also cautions that there will continue to be attacks on U-S forces.

According to the latest Pentagon statistics, 54 U-S military personnel have been killed in hostile attacks since the end of major combat operations in Iraq on May First. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/RH