Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/15/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN/IRAQ (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-296487

BYLINE=GRACE CUTLER

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: British Prime Minister Tony Blair has delivered a radio address (late Thursday) to the Iraqi people warning that Saddam Hussein must comply with U-N demands or suffer the consequences. Grace Cutler has more from London.

TEXT: Prime Minister Blair said Saddam Hussein must cooperate with U-N weapons inspectors, or be prepared to face military action.

In an interview with Radio Monte Carlo's Arabic service Thursday, Mr. Blair said war could be avoided, if Iraq agreed to disarm. Radio Monte Carlo, which is based in Paris, is the most listened to shortwave broadcast in Iraq.

Mr. Blair said he wanted to speak directly to the Iraqi people to try to dispel what he called myths that have arisen between Christian and Muslims. He said this conflict is not about the West versus the East or about oil, but about weapons of mass destruction.

Meanwhile, in a statement Friday, Britain's Catholic bishops urged British and American leaders to step away from the brink of war, saying there could be thousands of causalities on both sides. (Signed)

NEB/GEC/KL/TW