Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/25/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / WOLFOWITZ (L-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-309036

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

INTRO: A top U-S official is in Iraq, where there have been more attacks on coalition forces. V-O-A's Greg LaMotte is in Baghdad with the latest details.

TEXT: U-S Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz went to Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, north of Baghdad, on Saturday, and visited an Iraq Civil Defense Corps, or I-C-D-C, training facility.

The U-S military hopes to have 25-thousand Iraqis trained for the corps over the next six-to-eight months. The corps would help fight Saddam loyalists and fighters in Iraq from foreign countries.

Mr. Wolfowitz called the I-C-D-C a success story that shows young Iraqis are ready to stand up and fight for their country alongside coalition forces.

Mr. Wolfowitz is on a four-day tour of Iraq, where he is also expected to meet with the Polish commander of a multi-national force deployed in Hilla, south of Baghdad.

U-S forces were attacked Saturday in Baghdad with a roadside bomb. Three soldiers were wounded, although none seriously.

U-S military officials at the scene said it may have been a remote-controlled bomb that was placed near an exit ramp. The bomb detonated as a U-S patrol was passing.

Attacks against coalition forces have been rising over the past several weeks to as many as 35 a day. U-S military officials say the increased attacks are the result of the coalition's more aggressive efforts to take the fight to the enemy.

Most of the attacks have occurred to the west of Baghdad in what is called the Sunni triangle. It is an area where there remains strong support for former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

General Ricardo Sanchez said this week that U-S forces are seeing coordinated and synchronized attacks at both local and regional levels. He said the attackers are becoming better organized.

In what should help alleviate some of Baghdad's traffic tie-ups, the U-S military Saturday reopened the capital city's 17th of July bridge, which is a main route in Baghdad. The bridge was damaged during major combat operations.

And with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan set to begin Sunday night or Monday, the military plans to suspend a four-hour curfew that runs from midnight to 4 a-m. The curfew will be lifted starting Sunday night. (SIGNED)

NEB/GL/ALW/KBK/TW