Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=1/19/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-298548

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Top Bush administration officials are presenting a united front on American television, warning time is running out for Iraq. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports they spoke as the chief U-N weapons inspector and the head of the U-N nuclear monitoring agency held crucial talks in Baghdad.

TEXT: The inspectors hope to increase Iraqi cooperation in advance of an important report to the Security Council due on January 27th.

The head of the inspection team Hans Blix told C-N-N's "Late Edition" that there have been problems with the Iraqis in recent days.

/// BLIX ACT ///

We, of course, tell the Iraqis that they are, in our view, in grave danger, that the situation is tense. And they should do their utmost to cooperate and to give the best conditions for us to work.

/// END ACT ///

The inspectors say it will take months to complete their job. But during an interview on the "Fox News Sunday" television program, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld spoke in terms of a much shorter time frame.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

If the test is, "Are the Iraqis going to cooperate?", that is something you are going to know in [a] matter of weeks, not in months or in years.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld also talked about the possibility that Saddam Hussein might go into exile. On the A-B-C television program "This Week," he was asked if the United States might offer immunity from war crimes prosecution.

The defense secretary said that is a matter for the president and the attorney general to decide, but he made clear he would not be opposed.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

To avoid a war, I would personally recommend that some provision be made so that the senior leadership in that country and their families could be provided haven in some other country. And I think that that would be a fair trade to avoid a war.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld went on to say there is also a chance the Iraqi people will take action.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

I think that the people in his country know what a vicious regime he runs and they may decide to throw him out.

/// END ACT ///

On N-B-C's "Meet the Press," White House National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice said she favors exploring all sorts of ways to get Saddam Hussein out of power. But she added a note of caution.

/// RICE ACT ///

I just think that it is unlikely that this man is going to come down in any other way than to be forced.

/// END ACT ///

Ms. Rice repeated the White House stand that there is no deadline for the weapons inspectors and no timetable for a decision on military action. She noted once again that the January 27th report by the weapons inspectors will be important, and added it could mark the start of, in her words, "the last phase". (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/RAE