Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=12-9-02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S-IRAQ REPORT (S)

NUMBER=2-297292

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United States is promising a thorough and deliberate study of Iraq's weapons declaration, though Bush administration officials are openly skeptical about Baghdad's assertions that it no longer has weapons of mass destruction. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: U-S officials received an early, complete copy of the Iraqi report and were reproducing the massive document for the four other permanent U-N Security Council members before beginning what the White House said would be a thoughtful, deliberative and thorough examination of it.

There was no indication how long the study might take. But briefing reporters here, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher made clear U-S skepticism over renewed claims by Iraq that it has destroyed all its weapons of mass destruction:

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We are firm in our belief, in our knowledge that Iraq had these weapons of mass destruction, has had programs to maintain them and expand them, and still has these weapons of mass destruction.

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Administration officials caution against interpreting the sheer size of the Iraqi submission as a sign that Saddam Hussein has decided to cooperate with U-N disarmament resolutions. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/RH