Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=1/19/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUMSFELD / IRAQ (S ONLY)

NUMBER=2-298550

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

////MAY BE USED WITH LONG BUSH / IRAQ, CR 298548////

INTRO: White House officials have indicated they are skeptical Saddam Hussein will ever relinquish power peacefully. But as V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld believes there is a possibility the Iraqi president might agree to go into exile.

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld says there is always a chance Saddam Hussein might leave Iraq.

During an appearance on the A-B-C television program "This Week" the secretary of defense was asked if the United States might offer immunity from war crimes prosecution as an incentive.

He said that is a matter for President Bush and Attorney General John Ashcroft to decide. But Mr. Rumsfeld 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.

///END ACT///

On N-B-C's "Meet the Press," White House National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice 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///

There have been several reports in recent weeks of efforts to convince Saddam Hussein to go into exile. None have been confirmed. (signed)

NEB/PW/MAR