Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=2/27/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ / MISSILES (S)

NUMBER=2-300126

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-N weapons inspectors have given Iraq until Saturday to begin destroying missiles that exceed U-N limits. Iraqi officials say they will have an answer to that order in the next two days. V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports, President Bush says Saddam Hussein is using the issue to distract from the larger demand that he give up suspected stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons.

TEXT: President Bush says Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is playing games with weapons inspectors to hide his failure to comply with U-N resolutions demanding that he disarm.

/// BUSH ACT ///

The discussion about these rockets is part of his campaign of deception. See, he will say, "I am not going to destroy the rockets." And then he will have a change of mind this weekend and destroy the rockets and say, "I've disarmed." The rockets are just the tip of the iceberg. The only question at hand is total, complete disarmament which he is refusing to do.

/// END ACT ///

Iraq has challenged the U-N assessment of the missiles' range, saying they fall within the limit when equipped with fuel, guidance systems, and warheads.

In an interview this week with the American television network C-B-S, Saddam Hussein said Baghdad has no missiles that violate U-N specifications. (SIGNED)

NEB/SS/RH/FC