Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/12/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BUSH / IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-296370

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush has dismissed the Iraqi parliament's recommendation to reject the tough new U-N disarmament resolution. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Bush stresses the final decision lies with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

TEXT: President Bush says everyone knows the real power in Iraq lies with Saddam Hussein.

///BUSH ACT///

There is no democracy. This guy is a dictator and so we have to see what he says.

///END ACT///

The president says the Iraqi leader has a choice to make: disarm peacefully or be disarmed by force.

///BUSH ACT TWO///

If Saddam Hussein does not comply to the detail of the resolution, we will lead a coalition to disarm him. It is over. We are through with negotiations. There is no more time. The man must disarm. He said he would disarm, he now must disarm.

///END ACT///

Mr. Bush spoke with reporters while touring the Washington D.C. police department a tour designed to highlight his plan to create a cabinet level Department of Homeland Security. He left no doubt his patience regarding Iraq is wearing very thin, stressing the United States will no longer tolerate any efforts by Saddam Hussein to circumvent demands to disarm.

///BUSH ACT THREE///

There is a zero-tolerance policy now. The last eleven years have been a period of time when this guy tried to deceive the world and we are through with it.

///END ACT///

Earlier, a White House spokesman described the stand taken by Iraqi lawmakers as "pure theater." Scott McClellan shifted the focus to Friday, when Saddam Hussein must state a willingness to co-operate and comply with the terms set by the Security Council.

During a White House briefing, Mr. McClellan was also asked about reports that Iraq is trying to purchase large quantities of a nerve gas antidote, primarily from Turkey. The New York Times quotes U-S officials as saying it may be a sign Iraq wants to protect its own soldiers should Baghdad decide to use nerve agents.

Mr. McClellan declined to say if the Bush administration is pressuring Turkey to reconsider the sales. But he stressed no one needs proof that Saddam Hussein has chemical and biological weapons and is willing to use them. (signed)

NEB/PW/MAR