Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=01/11/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/IRAQ (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-298286

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has ordered tens of thousands more troops to the Gulf region, continuing a military build-up for a possible new war with Iraq. More from Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: Pentagon sources say the latest deployment orders signed by Mr. Rumsfeld cover some 62-thousand U-S military personnel, many of them ground combat troops but also aviation units, including F-117 Stealth fighters.

These are in addition to the 25-thousand ordered to the Gulf in late December. Coupled with the 60-thousand troops already in the region, the force now being assembled will within weeks total close to 150-thousand airmen, marines, sailors and soldiers.

Some officials say the eventual size of the force sent to the region could total close to a quarter-million troops.

Defense officials say the troop movements are intended to give President Bush the option to use force against Iraq in a showdown over Baghdad's programs to develop weapons of mass destruction --- chemical, biological and nuclear arms.

But they stress Mr. Bush has still not made any decision about an attack.

Still, military analysts say U-S forces could be in a position to strike as early as next month. The Defense Department has already pre-positioned equipment, ammunition and other supplies around the region.

In addition, key members of the U-S battle planning staff have in recent days been ordered back to the Gulf state of Qatar, where a sophisticated portable command-and-control center was set up last year at a military base outside Doha. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/PT