Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11/20/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BUSH / NATO / IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-296637

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= PRAGUE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush is pressing the need for a strong, unified stand on Iraq as the leaders of NATO member countries gather in Prague for an alliance summit. But, as V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports, the president says each country must make its own decision about the possible use of force, as a last resort, to disarm Baghdad.

TEXT: The president says, if the world stands united, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein might choose to disarm.

///BUSH ACTUALITY///

If the collective will of the world is strong, we can achieve disarmament peacefully.

///END ACTUALITY///

But, at the same time, Mr. Bush says he will turn to force, if necessary. He says he hopes other countries will join what he calls "a coalition of the willing."

///BUSH ACTUALITY///

And. at that point in time, all our nations - we will consult with our friends and all nations will be able to choose whether or not they want to participate.

///END ACTUALITY///

The president leaves no doubt he will talk with other leaders in Prague about Iraq. And, yet, he makes clear he will not be seeking a formal show of support from the alliance, should he decide on military action. It is an acknowledgment that at least one NATO member Germany stands opposed to the use of force against Baghdad.

Instead, Mr. Bush stresses that, here in Prague, he wants to focus on the main challenges now facing the alliance particularly the terrorist threat. Speaking at a news conference with Czech President Vaclav Havel, he called it an historic meeting in an historic city.

///BUSH ACTUALITY (with translation English editors should edit accordingly///

Of course, the key reason we're here is to talk about NATO expansion and the benefits of NATO expansion, not only to encourage the spread of freedom in Europe, but also to be able to deal with the true threats we face, in order to defend our freedoms.

///END ACTUALITY////

The Prague Summit is expected to invite seven central and Eastern European nations to join NATO continuing the process begun in 1999 when Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic became the first former Warsaw Pact nations to achieve membership in the alliance.

President Bush notes the Prague meeting will also take up the creation of a new NATO rapid-deployment force that could be sent outside Europe as part of the war on terrorism.

///BUSH ACTUALITY///

It's very important for us to recognize that in order for NATO to be relevant as we go into the future, the military capacities of NATO must be altered to meet the true threats we face.

///END ACTUALITY///

The summit is a living reminder of the terrorist threat facing the allies. Security is extremely tight, with 12-thousand police and more than two thousand armed soldiers deployed in Prague, as surveillance helicopters and U-S military fighter jets keep watch from the skies. (signed)

NEB / PW / WD