Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/18/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / WRAP (S)

NUMBER=2-296580

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: United Nations weapons inspectors are back in Iraq after a four year absence. They are resuming searches for nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. V-O-A Correspondent Nick Simeone reports Washington is saying Baghdad is already in material breach of the Security Council resolution authorizing the return of inspectors, by again threatening coalition aircraft in Iraq's northern no fly zone.

TEXT: Chief weapons inspector Hans Blix flew into Baghdad aboard a U-N plane to begin what could be Iraq's last chance to avoid war.

/// BLIX ACT ///

We have come here for one single reason and that is because the world wants to have assurances that there are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

/// END ACT ///

Iraq has already told the world it has no such weapons, even though the Bush administration insists it does and demands Baghdad fully disarm or face a U-S led attack.

But even before inspectors begin their work, the White House is already declaring Iraq to be in material breach of the Security Council resolution authorizing the inspectors' return. That's because for the second consecutive day, the U-S military says Iraqi gunners fired on coalition aircraft enforcing the country's northern no fly zone. Coalition fighter jets bombed anti-aircraft sites in return.

U-S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld calls Baghdad's actions unacceptable but is leaving it up to President Bush and the U-N Security Council to decide whether this means Iraq and the United States are now closer to war. (SIGNED)

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