Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/20/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/WAR (S)

NUMBER=2-300951

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Operation "Iraqi Freedom" has begun. Early Thursday morning, missiles intended to crush Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war were fired at locations in Baghdad and south of Baghdad. V-O-A Middle East correspondent Greg LaMotte has the details from our bureau in Cairo

TEXT:

/ / / NATURAL SOUND SIRENS AND MISSILES / / /

At 5:30 in the morning, Thursday, sirens wailed throughout the Iraqi capital. U-S forces -- including two submarines and four ships -- launched Tomahawk missiles at what were described as targets of opportunity in Baghdad and a location south of Baghdad. Fighters and bombers were also involved in the first wave of the attack.

Iraq responded with anti-aircraft fire.

Reports coming out of Baghdad suggest the first wave of American-led attacks has subsided and the situation in Baghdad was reported quiet as daylight

broke.

///ACTUALITY SADDAM HUSSEIN IN ARABIC///

About three hours after the attacks began, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein appeared on Iraqi television. He urged Iraqis to defend their country and predicted victory. It was not possible to determine whether the broadcast was live. (Signed)

NEB/GL/AWP