Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 03/20/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ (S)

NUMBER=2-300975

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

INTRO: The White House says it is drawing no conclusions about the authenticity of a television appearance by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein following the start of an American- led war to topple his government and disarm the military. V-O-A's Scott Stearns has the story.

TEXT: President Bush began the day with a briefing from National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on overnight developments in Iraq.

He then met with senior officials to discuss the next phase of the war, which began just before dawn in Baghdad Thursday with missile strikes on sites where U-S intelligence officials believed senior Iraqi leaders were meeting.

Shortly afterward, Iraqi television showed what appeared to be a defiant Saddam Hussein rallying his country against the attacks.

A senior Bush Administration official says they have reached "no conclusions" about when that television appearance might have been taped or if it was, indeed, Saddam Hussein who delivered the remarks. The Iraqi leader is reported to have used body doubles, in the past.

Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday called on Washington to stop the war and return to weapons inspections.

A senior administration official says the president understands there are many people in the world who will welcome this campaign and others who will not. He says nothing will deter the United States from disarming Saddam Hussein. (SIGNED)

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