Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/26/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / BASRA (S O)

NUMBER=2-301318

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=DOHA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: British forces in southern Iraq say they believe there has been a popular uprising against the Iraqi leadership in Basra, the country's second biggest city. British spokesmen say Iraqi troops fired mortars at civilians in Basra and that British troops shelled Iraqi positions in an effort to help the apparent uprising. V-O-A's Roger Wilkison reports from coalition headquarters in Doha, Qatar.

TEXT: A British spokesman, Major Will McKinlay, says he cannot confirm that there has been an uprising in Basra. But he says there is every indication that some sort of anti-regime revolt occurred in the city.

/// McKINLAY ACT ///

We believe there has been an uprising, but we haven't got any detailed intelligence that tells us that it is for certain an uprising. Now, what we have been able to establish is that Iraqi troops fired mortars on their own people, and that may well be an indication of the level of uprising that occurred in the city.

/// END ACT ///

Major McKinlay says British forces arrayed around Basra precisely attacked Iraqi targets, including mortar positions used to fire at civilians. He says they also bombed and destroyed the ruling Baath Party's headquarters in Basra, and captured a local party leader.

Iraq has denied that any uprising has occurred in Basra. (Signed)

NEB/RW/KL/FC