Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/23/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/PLANE (S-O)

NUMBER=2-301149

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=DOHA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Britain reports that one of its aircraft is missing after a mission over the Gulf. And a British military spokesman at coalition headquarters in Qatar says it could have been hit by a U-S missile. V-O-A's Roger Wilkison reports.

TEXT: The aircraft did not return to base after taking part in what a British officer described as an operational mission Sunday morning.

The chief British military spokesman at the coalition's forward headquarters, Group Captain Al Lockwood, says it may have been hit by a U-S anti-aircraft missile.

/// LOCKWOOD ACTUALITY ///

All I can say is that evidence is beginning to emerge that, in fact, one of our aircraft was engaged by a U-S Patriot missile battery.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Coalition officials will not at this stage comment on the type of aircraft involved, nor on the number of crew members.

British forces have suffered several casualties as a result of aviation accidents since the war in Iraq began on Thursday. On Saturday, two British helicopters collided over the Gulf, killing six British crewmen and one American officer. A day earlier, a U-S Marine helicopter crashed in Kuwait, killing eight British troops and four Americans. (signed)

NEB/RW/DW/TW