Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/20/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ WRAP (L)

NUMBER=2-301023

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S led troops have entered Iraq as a second night of coalition air strikes are underway over the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. U-S officials are examining bomb damage from an air strike early Thursday to determine whether it may have killed Iraq's top leaders, possibly even Saddam Hussein. Correspondent Nick Simeone brings us up to date on the war against Iraq.

/// SOUNDS OF EXPLOSIONS ///

TEXT: Baghdad echoes with the sounds of heavy explosions from cruise missile strikes -- the night sky lit up by retaliatory anti-aircraft fire coming from Iraqi sites. Reports from the Iraqi capital say some of the explosions were heard near two of Saddam Hussein's palaces, as well ministries and other government buildings. All this followed by long periods of quiet -- ahead of what U-S defense officials are promising will be a massive "shock and awe' barrage of air strikes.

Kuwaiti-based American ground troops along with tanks and armor have now entered Iraq from the south. Journalists accompanying them -- including V-O-A correspondent Alisha Ryu -- report U-S troops are now striking at Iraqi forces and are involved in heavy artillery barrages.

/// RYU ACT ///

The third infantry division has started its ground attack using artillery. We've been hearing heavy detonations where I am. The night sky sort of lighting up with the explosions.

/// END ACT ///

Here in Washington, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is looking into reports that Iraq is setting fire to oil wells in an apparent effort to stop advancing coalition forces.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

I have seen indication and reports from people that the Iraqi regime may have set fire to as many as three or four of the oil wells in the south.

/// END ACT ///

In neighboring Kuwait, air raid warnings sounded repeatedly Thursday and the country was hit by several missiles fired from Iraq, sending people scurrying indoors and forcing those outside to don gas masks. None of the missiles were armed with chemical or biological warheads and no injuries were reported.

One of the first U-S airstrikes on Iraq was on a site where Defense Secretary Rumsfeld believes President Saddam Hussein may have been meeting with his top leadership.

/// SECOND RUMSFELD ACT ///

We had what I would characterize very good intelligence that it was a senior Iraqi leadership compound. We do not know what the battle damage assessment will be.

/// END ACT ///

After the strike, a person appearing to be the Iraqi leader appeared on television denouncing President Bush and vowing victory for the Iraqi people. U-S intelligence officials are examining the videotape to whether it was in fact Saddam Hussein or perhaps one of his known body doubles.

At the same time, the Pentagon, which for weeks now has been using various means including e-mail to contact elements of the Iraqi military, suggests its campaign to get commanders to surrender may be paying off.

/// THIRD RUMSFELD ACT ///

We see evidence of military personnel, some have already surrendered in Kuwait.

/// END ACT ///

Even though President Bush's deadline for Saddam Hussein to go into exile expired Wednesday, the White House says it is not too late for him to leave Iraq. (SIGNED)

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