Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/8/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / UN / REACT (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-296252

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: British Prime Minister Tony Blair says Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein will face attack, if he does not disarm under terms of the new United Nations Security Council resolution. V-O-A's Michael Drudge has more from London.

TEXT: Mr. Blair spoke to reporters shortly after the Security Council approved the Iraqi disarmament resolution in a unanimous vote. He said a war is not inevitable, but Iraq's disarmament is.

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Saddam must now make his choice. And my message to him is this: Disarm or you face force. There must be no more games, no more deceit, no more prevarication, obstruction or defiance.

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Mr. Blair said he was pleased that the U-N had acted, after weeks of tough negotiations on the resolution that was pushed by the United States and Britain.

Mr. Blair has been the staunchest overseas supporter of President Bush in the showdown with Iraq, and the British leader strongly advocated going through the United Nations to deal with the crisis. (Signed)

NEB/MWD/AWP/TW