Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/10/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-300530

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

INTRO: President Bush is making an all-out effort to win support for a U-N Security Council resolution that could pave the way for military action to disarm Iraq. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports the White House says it is hopeful Russia and France will not veto the measure.

TEXT: The diplomacy is intense in the period leading up to this crucial security council vote.

President Bush is putting his public schedule on hold to consult by telephone with foreign leaders. This, as Russia and France reaffirm their opposition to any U-N resolution that could lead to the use of force against Iraq.

French President Jacques Chirac says his country will vote against the measure. Russian officials say they are prepared to vote "no" on the resolution in its current form, which sets a March 17th deadline for Iraq to disarm. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says President Bush would be disappointed to see a Russian veto.

///FLEISCHER ACT///

I note the foreign minister has indicated that is a possibility. And the president certainly hopes it will not come to that from the Russian point of view.

///END ACT///

Mr. Fleischer notes that many council members will not make up their minds until the last minute, and anything can happen.

///FLEISCHER ACT///

This is the United Nations process. It is not atypical for states on the security council to withhold their vote until the day of the vote. That is part and parcel of the democratic process of the security council.

///END ACT///

He points to new information that could emerge in the final hours of diplomacy, making specific mention of new revelations that Iraq has unmanned aircraft capable of dispensing chemical weapons. Mr. Fleischer says the disclosure came late last week from U-N weapons inspectors, along with first word that Iraq has developed a new kind of cluster bomb to disperse both chemical and biological agents.

///FLEISCHER ACT///

They are undeclared. And we look forward to hearing more and learning more from the United Nations.

///END ACT///

During a session with reporters, Mr. Fleischer for the first time cast the need to take action against Iraq as a moral issue. He said during the humanitarian crises in Kosovo and Rwanda, the U-N looked the other way. He said the Iraqi people deserve the right to live in freedom.

////FLEISCHER ACT///

The United Nations Security Council is from a moral point of view leaving the people of these regions on the sidelines. And from the president's point of view, that is a regrettable development if it happens.

///END ACT///

Mr. Fleischer said once again that the president wants the U-N to act on Iraq but if it does not, the United States will lead an international coalition to disarm Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. (signed)

NEB/PW/KBK/MEM