Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 3/23/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/IRAQ (L-O)

NUMBER=2-301161

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Senior U-S defense officials say the war in Iraq is going according to plan, but they say coalition forces are bracing for trouble as they move ever closer to Baghdad. Correspondent Alex Belida has the latest from the Pentagon.

TEXT: Several American soldiers are missing in fighting in southern Iraq. But General Richard Myers, Chairman of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff is disputing Iraqi claims that an allied aircraft has been shot down over Baghdad and that its aircrew may have ejected into the Tigris River.

/// MYERS ACT ///

As far as we know, all planes are reported to be safe and so we do not think that is a good report at all. We do not think there are any pilots that have parachuted near the river or anywhere in Iraq.

/// END ACT ///

General Myers, appearing in a televised interview (Fox News Sunday) says despite the missing soldiers, so far the war appears to be going smoothly for coalition forces. They have advanced to within 160-kilometers of the capital with minimal losses.

But he is predicting Iraqi resistance may soon make conditions much tougher.

/// MYERS ACT ///

It is no prediction of the future. This is going to get a lot harder. Anybody that thinks this is going to be quick and easy is wrong.

/// END ACT ///

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, appearing on another television show (NBC Meet the Press), says it is impossible to predict how long the war will last or how many lives will be lost.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

How long is not knowable. How many casualties is not knowable and that is the only honest thing anyone can say.

// /END ACT ///

General Myers says it is hard to say whether Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is still in firm control of his country's armed forces.

Mr. Rumsfeld says he hopes Saddam will still surrender before the fighting intensifies. But the Defense Secretary is not optimistic about the prospects for that.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

I do not know. I hope he does. It will save lives. I think it is probably unlikely.

/// END ACT ///

Meanwhile, coalition aircraft have dropped more leaflets over Iraq with new instructions to Iraqi civilians about how to stay safe.

The leaflets encourage Iraqis to stay in their homes and away from buildings with military weapons nearby. (SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/FC/rae