Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/16/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH/IRAQ (S-CQ)

NUMBER=2-300747

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=LAJES FIELD, AZORES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDITORS: CORRECTS dateline; no other changes ///

/// Bush arrival expected at 11:45am EST; please watch CN wire for arrival to update intro ///

INTRO: President Bush is headed across the Atlantic Ocean for a crucial summit with key allies at an air base in the Portuguese Azores. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports, the White House says the meeting represents one last push to win support for a new U-N Security Council resolution on Iraq.

TEXT: The Bush administration rejects the notion that this is a war council. Instead, White House officials refer to it as part of the final phase of diplomacy.

With their U-N resolution in trouble, the leaders of the United States, Great Britain and Spain will look at their options one last time. They could go ahead with a vote in the Security Council, knowing full well it stands a good chance of being vetoed. They could continue negotiations with council members, or they could pull the measure.

President Bush has said, while U-N support would be welcome, he believes there is sufficient legal authority to disarm Iraq by force, if it fails to comply with U-N disarmament demands.

Three of the five permanent Security Council members disagree - - France, Russia and China. They want more time for U-N weapons inspections, and the French have said they will veto any measure that clears the way for military action. The White House had hoped for a moral victory of sorts -- winning the minimum nine votes for passage on the 15 member council, even if the resolution were ultimately killed by a permanent member. (signed)

NEB/PW/TW