Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=1-28-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S / IRAQ / INTELLIGENCE (S)

NUMBER=2-298915

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

INTRO: The Bush administration is considering a public release of intelligence information to buttress its case that Iraq is hiding weapons of mass destruction from U-N inspectors. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: Officials here say the administration may send Secretary of State Colin Powell to the U-N Security Council as early as next week to lay out previously-undisclosed and classified information detailing Iraqi violations of U-N resolutions.

The dramatic move would be aimed at convincing world opinion of the need to disarm Iraq by force, if it continues deceiving U-N inspectors. Mr. Powell would also try to sway opinion on the Security Council itself, where some members favor allowing inspections to go on for months more.

In interview comments released Tuesday, Mr. Powell said the administration has what he described as "a number of intelligence products" that convince U-S officials that Iraq is hiding banned weapons. He said he hopes "in the next week or so" to make as much of that information as possible available to the public.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday the intelligence includes information that Iraqi military officers, reporting directly to Saddam Hussein's inner circle, have been actively moving and concealing weapons to keep them out of reach of the inspectors. (Signed)

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