Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=8/19/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-306638

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says the bombing of the U-N headquarters in Iraq will not halt efforts to bring peace and democracy to that country. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Bush says the United States will do all it can to help rescue efforts and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.

TEXT: President Bush is denouncing the bombing in the strongest possible terms. At the same time, he leaves no doubt the work of reconstruction will go on.

Mr. Bush says those killed and injured in the bombing were on a purely humanitarian mission that must and will continue.

///BUSH ACT///

The civilized world will not be intimidated and these killers will not determine the future of Iraq.

///END ACT///

In brief remarks broadcast from his Texas ranch, the president referred to the bombers as terrorists who show contempt for innocent life. Mr. Bush called them the enemies of the Iraqi people and the enemies of every nation that seeks to help the Iraqi people.

///BUSH ACT////

By their tactics and their targets these murderers reveal themselves once more as enemies of the civilized world. Every sign of progress in Iraq adds to the desperation of the terrorists and the remnants of Saddam's brutal regime.

///END ACT///

He said Iraq has been liberated from a dictator and is on an irreversible course toward self-government and peace. The president vowed the United States and the United Nations will stand with the Iraqi people as - - in his words - - "they reclaim their nation."

///BUSH ACT///

The Iraqi people face a challenge and they face a choice. The terrorists want to return to the days of torture chambers and mass graves. The Iraqis who want peace and freedom must reject them and fight terror.

///END ACT///

A short time earlier, Mr. Bush spoke by telephone with the top U-S official in Iraq, Paul Bremmer, and U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan. The president said he ordered Mr. Bremmer to provide all possible assistance to the rescue operation. He said he offered the Secretary General his condolences, and a promise that the reconstruction effort will go on.

The tragic news from Baghdad came on a day that began on a high note for the Bush administration. It was early in the morning in Texas when President Bush learned of the capture of Saddam Hussein's former vice president, Taha Yassin Ramadan. He talked about the development before heading off to play golf near his ranch.

///BUSH ACT///

I'm really pleased that we've captured the vice president. Slowly but surely, we will find who we need to find. It is just a matter of time.

///END ACT///

Mr. Bush was on the golf course when he got word of the Baghdad bombing in a telephone call from his national security advisor, Condoleezza Rice. He immediately returned to his ranch to monitor the situation, contact Mr. Bremmer and Secretary General Annan and prepare his broadcast response. (signed)

NEB/MEM