Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 11/08/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= PENTAGON / IRAQ (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-296248

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Pentagon says U-S forces will be prepared to move and move quickly against Iraq if President Bush decides action is needed to enforce the latest United Nations resolution. More from V-O-A Defense Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: Chief Pentagon spokesman Victoria Clarke declines to discuss any timelines for possible U-S military action, stressing President Bush has made no decisions to invade Iraq.

But speaking to reporters following the U-N Security Council's unanimous passage of a resolution ordering Baghdad to give up its weapons of mass destruction, Ms. Clarke says there should be no doubt about U-S resolve.

///CLARKE ACTUALITY///

You just cannot have any doubt about how committed the United States is to the process and to the importance of this resolution.

///END ACTUALITY///

Ms. Clarke says the U-S military will consider any requests for assistance that are made by the U-N weapons inspectors who are to be sent to Iraq.

///CLARKE ACTUALITY///

We will do everything that we think is appropriate to help them have very, very robust and effective inspections.

///END ACTUALITY///

The spokeswoman would not say whether the type of assistance the United States might offer could include armed U-S military escorts to provide the U-N weapons inspection team with protection.

The United States has been positioning personnel and equipment at various locations in the Middle East in apparent anticipation of possible military action against Iraq.

U-S and British aircraft, meanwhile, continue to fly patrols over both northern and southern parts of Iraq. The so-called no-fly mission was set up following the 1991 Gulf war to prevent Iraqi aggression against neighboring countries and against minority populations living in the north and south.

(Signed)

NEB/BEL/MAR