Homeland Security

DATE=2/12/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/RUMSFELD (L-O)

NUMBER=2-299571

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The U-S military has again stepped up air defenses around Washington as a deterrent to possible terrorist attack. Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida reports the moves comes as the build-up of U-S forces in the Gulf region for a possible war with Iraq gathers momentum.

TEXT: U-S fighter jets are again patrolling the skies over Washington, backed by additional radar units and newly deployed surface-to-air-missile launchers.

The multi-layered defensive deployments follow official warnings of a heightened terrorist threat. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld calls such moves prudent.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

Anytime there are threats that are perceived the prudent thing to do is to take steps that seem to be appropriate.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld declines to discuss details of the air-defense measures being taken; saying such information could help terrorists planning an attack.

But he says the goal is to deter and, if necessary, defend.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

We tend to do things in a variety of different ways, in different places, at different times and the effect of that, we hope, would be to, 'A', to deter and dissuade and, 'B', in the event it is necessary, to properly defend.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld spoke to reporters at the Pentagon after talks with visiting British Defense Minister Geoffrey Hoon that covered Iraq, North Korea, and the global war on terrorism.

The discussions coincided with the disclosure that the U-S troop build-up in the Gulf region for a possible war with Iraq has reached about 130-thousand. Thousands of soldiers are arriving in the region daily on commercial flights ordered by the Pentagon to meet the military's demand for additional airlift capacity.

The Pentagon also disclosed that the number of reservists called to active duty has risen to more than 150-thousand, with 39-thousand mobilized during the past week.

In Iraq, U-S led coalition aircraft have dropped hundreds-of-thousands more leaflets in the south of the country.

The military says some of the leaflets state that coalition forces do not wish to harm the Iraqi people or destroy their landmarks. Others call for Iraqi civilians to avoid areas occupied by the military. (SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/RAE