Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=2/6/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-299309

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Britain is sending more than 100 aircraft and eight-thousand personnel to join the military buildup around Iraq. Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon made the announcement in Parliament Thursday, as we hear from V-O-A's Michael Drudge.

TEXT: The deployment in the coming weeks will include about 100 planes and 27 helicopters, with 81-hundred support personnel.

It will be the biggest Royal Air Force mobilization since the 1991 Gulf war that drove Iraq out of Kuwait.

Britain has previously announced 35-thousand troops are heading to the Persian Gulf region, along with the largest British naval task force in 20 years.

The defense secretary, Geoff Hoon, said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein must hurry up and comply with U-N disarmament resolutions, if he wants to avoid a war.

/// HOON ACT ///

I have now announced the composition and deployment of forces from all three services. I recognize that this may tempt some people into speculation about the likelihood or timing of military action. It is still possible for Saddam Hussein to change his behavior, to cooperate actively with the weapons inspectors and to disarm by peaceful means. Time is running out. The Iraqi regime must decide whether it will comply with its obligations, or face the consequences.

/// END ACT ///

On the diplomatic front, Britain hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi. He told a news conference at the foreign office he worries about the consequences of war for the region.

/// KHARRAZI ACT ///

We are living in a very crucial time, and, naturally, we have to do our best to resolve this crisis, without necessity of using force. We have, of course, our own concerns as neighboring countries to Iraq, because the outbreak of war would have its own repercussions on all neighboring countries in that region, including Iran. The simplest (obvious) one would be the influx of refugees to Iran.

/// END ACT ///

British officials say the talks with Mr. Kharrazi focused on the need to ensure Iraq retains its sovereign territorial integrity in the event of a war. Also, they say, there were discussions of Britain's efforts to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians. (Signed)

NEB/MWD/KL/TW/FC