Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/25/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / BLAIR (L)

NUMBER=2-301263

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: British Prime Minister Tony Blair will travel to the United States Wednesday to discuss the Iraq war with President Bush. V-O-A London correspondent Michael Drudge reports Mr. Blair says the war is progressing as planned.

TEXT: Mr. Blair said coalition forces led by the U-S Army and Marines are bearing down on Baghdad in a two-pronged advance aimed at toppling Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

/// BLAIR ACT ///

The purpose is to remove the regime. To do that is important that we go to Baghdad. Coalition forces are now some 50-60-miles (80-95-kilometers) south of Baghdad. All the way through, the important thing has been to push on for Baghdad, having secured both the oil installations in the south and making sure that in the west of the country, we do not allow Saddam to use that as a base for external aggression, and in the north we keep the situation as calm as possible.

/// END ACT ///

The prime minister also said he understands why Iraq's civilian population has not poured out to greet the British and American forces as liberators in southern regions now under coalition control.

/// 2ND BLAIR ACT ///

They have been let down before when they thought coalition forces were going to remove Saddam. And my message to them today is that this time we will not let you down. Saddam and his regime will be removed. Iraq will have a better future ahead of it.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Blair also announced that he will visit President Bush on Wednesday and U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan on Thursday to discuss the war and post-war challenges.

/// 3RD BLAIR ACT ///

I will see President Bush at Camp David to discuss not just the military campaign, but also the diplomatic implications of recent events for the future, in particular, how we get America and Europe working again together as partners and not as rivals. I am clear that the United Nations must be centrally involved in dealing both with the humanitarian crisis and in helping Iraq rebuild itself once Saddam is gone.

/// END ACT ///

France and Russia, which blocked U-N support for the Iraq war, say they will oppose U-N endorsement of any American-led transitional authority over Iraq once the fighting ends. (SIGNED)

NEB/MWD/AWP/RAE/FC