Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=7/16/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/IRAQ (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-305496

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The commander of U-S forces in Iraq says he believes coalition successes are forcing increasingly desperate supporters of the former regime to step up their guerrilla attacks. More on the comments of General John Abizaid from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: General Abizaid admits the ongoing insecurity in Iraq is a problem.

But the newly-installed commander of the U-S Central Command says backers of the ousted regime of Saddam Hussein are targeting the coalition's successes.

///ABIZAID ACTUALITY///

You have to understand that there will be an increase in violence as we achieve political success because the people that have a stake in ensuring the defeat of the coalition realize that time is getting short.

///END ACTUALITY///

General Abizaid says those behind the escalating violence include remnants of the former Baathist regime and some foreign terrorist fighters. He says they are organized in small cells at the regional level and are now conducting what he views as a classical guerrilla-type campaign against the U-S-led coalition. He says the attacks are becoming better coordinated and more sophisticated.

Nevertheless, he says American troops are performing magnificently - even though some have begun complaining about the length of their tours in Iraq.

But General Abizaid insists the soldiers should know it is better for the United States to fight the war against terrorism abroad - and not at home.

He also says Arab critics of the United States should know American troops will not be driven from Iraq.

///ABIZAID ACTUALITY///

War is a struggle of wills. You look at the Arab press, they say "we drove the Americans out of Beirut, we drove them out of Somalia, you know we will drive them out of Baghdad." And that's just not true.

///END ACTUALITY///

The General's comments came on a day of multiple attacks in Iraq. The mayor of an Iraqi city was killed after being accused of cooperating with American forces. One American soldier was killed and three others wounded when their convoy was attacked and a surface-to-air missile was fired at - but missed - a military transport plane.

General's Abizaid's characterization of the ongoing fighting as a classic guerrilla-type war contradicts the view of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Mr. Rumsfeld told reporters just last month that what was happening in Iraq was not anything like a guerrilla war or what he described as an organized resistance. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/PT/RH