Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 03/24/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ / RUSSIA (L)

NUMBER=2-301223

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

INTRO: The White House says it has "credible evidence" that Russia has sold sensitive military equipment to Iraq in violation of a U-N embargo. V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports, President Bush telephoned Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discuss the alleged sales, transactions Russia denies.

TEXT: White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says the administration has evidence that Russian companies have sold Iraq night-vision goggles and anti-tank guided missiles, as well as electronic jamming equipment that could be used to disrupt U-S planes or guided bombs.

Mr. Fleischer calls the military sales "disturbing" and says President Bush made those concerns clear in his conversation with President Putin.

/// FLEISCHER ACT ///

We do have concerns that some aspects of this may be ongoing. Those concerns were raised in the phone call today. President Putin assured President Bush that he would look into it, and President Bush said he looked forward to hearing the results.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Fleischer says the United States expects Russian arms sales to Iraq to cease immediately. Such transactions would violate a U-N arms embargo.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov says Moscow has not sold Iraq anything that violates U-N sanctions. He says Washington has been asking about the alleged illegal arms sales since last October, but Russian officials have not found any evidence to back-up the U-S allegations.

Russia opposes the U-S led invasion of Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein and disarm the military. Along with France and China, Russia says President Bush should have given U-N weapons inspectors more time to disarm Iraq peacefully.

President Putin last week called for Washington to stop the war, saying it is a mistake with "grave consequences for all."

Mr. Fleischer says President Bush remains committed to maintaining broader U-S / Russian cooperation despite the differences over Iraq and these allegations of illegal arms sales.

/// SECOND FLEISCHER ACT ///

The relations between the United States and Russia are important relations that the two presidents are dedicated to keeping. There are problems. This clearly is a problem that needs to be resolved. And this is why it came up in the phone call, this is why it is disturbing, and this is why the two have talked about it, for the purpose of resolving it.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Fleischer says President Bush understands and respects the thoughts of those who disagree with the military operation, but says the United States and its coalition will not be deterred from their mission of disarming Saddam Hussein. (SIGNED)

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