Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=1/2/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-297985

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says he will deal "appropriately" with countries that are developing weapons of mass destruction. But in his first comments to White House reporters in the New Year, Mr. Bush said he hopes the United States will not got to war with Iraq. V-O-A's Scott Stearns has the story.

TEXT: President Bush said he is hopeful there will be no war with Iraq, but he said that depends on Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein making-up his mind to disarm.

/// BUSH ACT ///

Hopefully he realizes we are serious and hopefully he disarms peacefully. He is a danger to the American people. He is a danger to our friends and allies.

/// END ACT ///

U-N weapons inspectors have been in Iraq more than one-month trying to find out if the country is hiding chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.

If the Security Council concludes that Iraq is violating U-N resolutions, it will then meet to decide the consequences. If President Bush is not satisfied with those consequences, he says he will lead his own coalition to disarm Iraq by force.

Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz says the Bush Administration is planning to attack Iraq no matter the results of the weapons inspections. He says Washington has what he calls an "imperialist design" to invade and occupy Iraq, then use the country's resources for itself.

More U-S troops have been moving into the Persian Gulf during the last few months in anticipation of possible military action.

Mr. Bush says the Iraqi leader's response to weapons inspections has been "discouraging", because, he says, Iraq's initial report on weapons programs was not true.

/// BUSH ACT ///

He is a man who likes to play games and charades. And the question is, will Saddam Hussein disarm? The world has asked him to disarm from weapons of mass destruction. The first indication is not very positive that he will voluntarily disarm. After all, he put out a declaration that the world realized was false.

/// END ACT ///

Secretary General Kofi Annan said Tuesday that he sees no reason for military action against Iraq at this time. He says Iraq is cooperating with U-N arms inspectors and he is satisfied that they are doing their work without impediments. (SIGNED)

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