Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/01/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ/ MISSILES (S)

NUMBER=2-300210

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The White House Saturday dismissed Iraqi moves to begin destroying some missiles, trying to keep the focus on demands that Iraq give-up all suspected chemical and biological weapons. V-O-A's Scott Stearns has the story.

TEXT: White House officials say President Bush wants complete disarmament in Iraq, and will not be distracted by Baghdad's moves to meet a U-N deadline to begin destroying missiles that exceed U-N limits.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer Friday called that another effort to distract inspectors.

/// FLEISCHER ACT ///

President Bush has always predicted that Iraq would destroy its Al-Samoud-Two missiles as part of their games of deceptions. I think, when you summarize Iraq's statement that "in principle" they will destroy their missiles, the Iraqi actions are propaganda wrapped in a lie inside a falsehood.

/// END ACT ///

U-N weapons inspectors say Iraq began destroying some of the missiles Saturday. Chief U-N weapons inspector Hans Blix said destruction of the missiles would be "a very significant piece of real disarmament."

Iraq says it has no illegal weapons and believes President Bush is determined to attack the country, regardless of what U-N inspectors find. (SIGNED)

NEB/SKS/TW