Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=02/01/03

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ TRAINEES (PART ONE OF TWO)

NUMBER=5-53084

BYLINE=STEFAN BOS

DATELINE=TASZAR, HUNGARY

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A group of Iraqi exiles is training at a U-S military base in a remote part of Hungary, preparing to support a U-S-led military coalition in a possible war against Iraq. But as Stefan Bos reports from the Hungarian village of Taszar, their presence has led to concern among the local population.

TEXT:///ACT 1 SOUND BARKING DOGS, ESTABLISH, FADE UNDER///

Restless dogs and the just over two-thousand residents of Taszar may be forgiven for showing anxiety as foreigners seem to invade their otherwise quiet village, 200 kilometers southwest of Budapest.

Once a small black spot on the map, this rural place, with few roads, has become a center of world attention because up to three-thousand Iraqi volunteers will be trained here to help troops from the United States and its allies in the event of war against Iraq.

They do not include combat troops. But U-S Major Robert Stern, says some military training is part of the program.

/// FIRST STERN ACT///

The volunteers will be receiving training in basic skills such as self defense, as well as skills in translation and liaison work in support of the coalition forces in the event of war or conflict in Iraq.

///END ACT ///

Major Stern adds that the Iraqis being trained in Taszar will play a crucial role in helping U-S and other forces understand Iraq's terrain and culture, as well as the language.

The Iraqis arriving in Taszar are well guarded. Curious Taszar residents watch how gum-chewing American soldiers wearing dark glasses guard the site which was once used by Russian troops under Communism.

And Major Stern says additional measures have been taken to protect the Iraqi trainees here and their families back home.

///SECOND STERN ACT///

You know there is obvious sensitivity to their participation in this training program. And one of the major things that we are doing is ensuring that their identification is protected because they may still have families in Iraq and their families around the world.

///END ACT ///

Major Stern says the trainees were recruited from Iraqi opposition groups around the world.

He denies there may be spies among them, saying all participants had background checks before being flown to Taszar. The Major stresses that all Iraqi exiles attending the training program seem to share the same vision.

///THIRD STERN ACT///

The volunteers have arrived from all over the world, and from all different backgrounds. They have left their families, their jobs, their homes and are excited about participating in this training program. And they have one common vision, one common quest, and that is to return to a free and democratic Iraq.

///END ACT ///

Not all Hungarians have welcomed the Iraqi training program.

Opposition politicians criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy for signing a declaration published by major newspapers last week, in which he and leaders of seven other European countries express support for the U-S policy toward Iraq.

Opinion polls show that about 80 percent of Hungarians oppose a war against Iraq, while two-thirds say they are against the training of Iraqi opposition supporters in Taszar.

///SOUND OF MUNICIPALITY HOUSE, ESTABLISH & FADE ///

It is hard to find supporters of the training program in the municipality building of Taszar. A discussion about the annual budget of a local school is overshadowed by concern about possible terrorist attacks.

In the reception area hangs a message with an emergency phone number residents can call if they notice anything suspicious.

Concerned villagers and reporters often knock these days at the door of Acting Mayor Tibor Mercz, who has become something of a local and, increasingly, international celebrity.

The acting mayor sits behind a table with two small flags displayed side-by-side. One is the local village banner. The other is an American flag. Mr. Mercz tells VOA News he has mixed feelings about the training program.

///MERCZ ACT IN HUNGARIAN, ESTABLISH & UNDER///

Mayor Mercz complaints that while the U-S military base is well guarded and there is a police checkpoint outside the town, the Hungarian government is not doing enough to provide security around institutions such as schools. The mayor explains there is concern among the local population that the media publicity surrounding Taszar will prompt terrorists to attack the village. He says "Taszar has never been asked" whether it wanted to host the Iraqi exiles.

The mayor adds the situation was different when American soldiers first arrived and took over the Taszar base in 1995. Mr. Mercz says that was part of the Balkan peace operations and the local people supported the effort.

This time, he says the residents of Taszar are not so sure if Hungary, and in particular their small community, should be involved in a possible war against Iraq. But the Hungarian government, a new member of NATO, agreed that this training program would be a major part of its contribution to the global effort to control terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.(SIGNED)

NEB/BOS/AWP/DW/FC