Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/7/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ SANCTIONS (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-302986

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: COMPANION CR TO CR 2-302982 US/IRAQ/UN///

INTRO: President Bush is urging the U-N Security Council to lift international sanctions against Iraq. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports he feels confident the United Nations will act to help the Iraqi people.

TEXT: The president says the United States, Great Britain and Spain will soon introduce a resolution to lift the sanctions.

He says the deep divisions that marked the pre-war debate on Iraq appear to have eased, and seems confident the resolution will pass.

///BUSH ACT///

There is a mood to work together to achieve a resolution that will expedite the reconstruction of Iraq.

///END ACT///

Mr. Bush spoke after a meeting at the White House with Spain's Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. The Spanish leader nodded in agreement when the president said the sanctions must go.

///BUSH ACT///

And no country in good conscience can support using sanctions to hold back the hopes of the Iraqi people.

///END ACT///

Earlier, President Bush signed paperwork lifting all U-S sanctions on Iraq. (Signed)

NEB/PW/MAR