Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=01/06/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= SADDAM SPEECH (s-only)

NUMBER=2-298070

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=CAIRO

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has accused United Nations weapons inspectors of doing intelligence work, and says Iraq is prepared for a possible military attack by the United States. Dale Gavlak has this report from VOA's Middle East bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: In a taped, televised speech marking Army Day, Saddam Hussein accused U-N weapons inspectors of spying, rather than clearing Iraq of charges it has weapons of mass destruction.

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The Iraqi president said instead of searching for so-called weapons of mass destruction in order to, in his words, expose American and British lies, the inspection teams have been compiling lists of Iraqi scientists, asking intrusive questions and inquiring about army camps and weapons that are not prohibited. He said the teams have gone beyond their U-N Security Council mandate.

President Saddam also said Iraq is prepared to confront any attack. (Signed)

NEB/DG/AWP