Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 01/29/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ (S UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-298974

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

INTRO: The Bush administration says it is entering the "final phase" of its push to convince Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to give-up suspected weapons of mass destruction. V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports, if Iraq does not disarm, President Bush says he is ready to use force.

TEXT: White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says this "final phase" begins with another diplomatic offensive to convince Iraq to disarm peacefully.

He says President Bush believes that "strong and powerful expressions of unity" from European allies and the United Nations may finally convince Iraq to turn-over banned weapons.

This round of diplomacy is built around Secretary of State Colin Powell's trip to the U-N next week where the administration says he will present evidence that Iraq is hiding illegal weapons.

Speaking in the Midwestern state of Michigan Wednesday, President Bush again said he is ready to act alone if he concludes that diplomacy can not remove the threat from Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

/// BUSH ACT ///

We will commit the full force and might of the United States military, and for the name of peace, we will prevail.

/// END ACT ///

Some U-S allies say any use of force against Iraq must first be approved by the Security Council. (SIGNED)

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