Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/22/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / FRANKS / PRISONERS (S-O)

NUMBER=2-301138

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=DOHA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The commander of coalition forces in Iraq, says his troops have taken up to two-thousand prisoners of war but that many more Iraqi soldiers have either given up their weapons and gone home or are preparing to do so. V-O-A's Roger Wilkison reports from Doha, Qatar, where General Tommy Franks held his first news conference since the war in Iraq began on Thursday.

TEXT: There have been reports quoting U-S officials over the past day that an entire Iraqi division, numbering up to eight-thousand men had surrendered to coalition forces. But General Franks told reporters Saturday that the number of prisoners of war is lower because many Iraqi soldiers have abandoned the fight and returned to their homes.

///FRANKS ACTUALITY///

We had seen enemy prisoners of war in the range of a thousand to two-thousand which we actually had in custody right now. We have with certain knowledge the fact that thousands more have laid down their weapons and gone home.

///END ACTUALITY///

A Franks aide, Brigadier General Vince Brooks, showed reporters a satellite picture of about 700 Iraqi troops lined up in the desert as advised by U-S leaflets and radio broadcasts.

General Brooks says the leaflet and broadcast campaign has saved lives, not only of Iraqi civilians but also of soldiers who have chosen not to fight for what he called a doomed regime. (signed)

NEB/RW/DW/RH