Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 03/05/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ / FRANCE (S)(CQ)

NUMBER=2-300345

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

/// RE-RUNNING TO REMOVE THE WORD VETO FROM THE FIRST LINE OF THE TEXT ///

INTRO: Despite the vow of France, Germany, and Russia to block passage of a United Nations resolution setting the stage for war against Iraq, President Bush believes such a measure will pass the Security Council. V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports from the White House.

TEXT: White House spokesman Ari Fleischer Wednesday dismissed the threat from the foreign ministers of the three countries, saying it does not necessarily reflect how France, Russia, and Germany will vote on a new U-N resolution on Iraq.

Mr. Fleischer says it is part of the "fluid situation" of "ongoing diplomacy," and President Bush remains confident that he will get the votes to pass the U-S, British, and Spanish resolution.

France, Germany, and Russia are offering a counter-proposal to extend weapons inspections. Washington says giving Iraq more time will allow it to hide illegal weapons and further divide the international community.

Russia and France could veto the U-S measure. French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin says attacking Iraq would "boost the risk of terrorism." President Bush says disarming Iraq is part of the fight against terrorism because he says the country could help terrorists use weapons of mass destruction against the United States. (SIGNED)

NEB/SS/KBK/FC