Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 03/21/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-301077

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

INTRO: The White House says U-S intelligence officials have confirmed the authenticity of a television appearance by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein broadcast after the start of the fighting. V-O-A's Scott Stearns has the story.

TEXT: White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says the Central Intelligence Agency has concluded that it was Saddam Hussein who appeared on Iraqi television shortly after the start of bombing in Baghdad early Thursday.

The Iraqi leader has reportedly used body doubles in the past, giving rise to speculation that he might have been injured in that attack and the man on television might have been a Saddam impersonator.

While Mr. Fleichser says intelligence analysts have confirmed the authenticity of the tape, he says they have reached no conclusion on whether it was recorded before or after the fighting began.

President Bush met Friday with congressional leaders to brief them on the war and thank them for a resolution supporting U-S troops.

/// BUSH ACT ///

We are making progress. We will stay on task until we have achieved our objective which is to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and free the Iraqi people so they can live in a society that is hopeful and democratic and at peace in its neighborhood.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Fleischer says the president Friday sends his condolences and sympathies to all the families of coalition soldiers who have been killed in the operation. A U-S Marine killed in southern Iraq Friday was the first combat death. A U-S Marine helicopter crashed in northern Kuwait killing eight British and four American soldiers.

/// SECOND BUSH ACT ///

All of us involved here in Washington are extremely proud of the skill and bravery of our young Americans who are willing to sacrifice for something greater than themselves.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Fleischer says the deaths are a reminder that this could be a long, lengthy, and dangerous engagement for coalition troops.

Mr. Bush will spend the weekend at the presidential retreat at Camp David where he will convene a meeting of his war council Saturday to discuss the next phase of the fighting. (SIGNED)

NEB/MEM/KBK