Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/29/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ WRAP (3rd UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-301500

BYLINE=GARY THOMAS

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The embattled Iraqi government has turned to unconventional means in an attempt to thwart the progress of U-S-led coalition forces towards Baghdad. On Saturday, a suicide bomber struck near the central city of Najaf. VOA correspondent Gary Thomas reports.

TEXT: Unable to match the technology and firepower of its adversaries, Iraq continues to employ unconventional warfare to fight conventional forces.

In the latest incident, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives at a U-S army checkpoint near Najaf, killing four U-S soldiers.

Speaking in Baghdad, Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yasin Ramadan identified the bomber as an army noncommissioned officer, and pledged more such attacks. He asserted that Iraq has the right to confront its adversaries by any means at its disposal.

Major General Stanley McChrystal of the U-S Joint Chiefs of Staff said the attack seems more like terrorism than warfare. He says such attacks will not affect the overall conduct of the U-S-led operation in Iraq. But, he adds, soldiers will need to exercise more caution.

// McChrystal act //

It won't change our overall rules of engagement. It doesn't affect the operation at large. But to protect our soldiers, it clearly require great care.

// end act //

The Iraqi military has been holding back from any head-on confrontation with Coalition forces. The bulk of Iraq's conventional forces are reported to be ringed around Baghdad for a defense of the capital.

As VOA correspondent Alysha Ryu traveling with U-S forces in Iraq -- reports, Iraqi forces have been mounting small harassing attacks on U-S supply lines.

// RYU ACT //

This is the first time that there has been a car-bombing, and a suicide car-bombing at that. Previous incidents have all been very limited to pickup trucks that have been harassing U-S soldiers, gun-mounted pickup trucks, those kinds of situations with small arms fire. This is the first time that they have actually resorted to suicide attacks. And, I can tell you that security has been massively heightened all over Iraq.

// END ACT //

In some cases, Iraqi soldiers are reported to have opened fire while pretending to surrender.

In his weekly radio address, President Bush vowed to continue the fight against determined soldiers of the Iraqi army.

// Bush act //

We are now fighting the most desperate units of the dictator's army. The fighting is fierce and we do not know its duration, yet we know the outcome of this battle. The Iraqi regime will be disarmed and removed from power. Iraq will be free.

// end act

Although the overall Coalition push towards Baghdad appears to have slowed in recent days, Major General Gene Renuart of the U-S Central Command says there is no pause in the fight.

// Renuart act //

I don't believe there is any intent to pause on the battlefield. We will continue to focus our operations. Sometimes they will be focussed in the west, sometimes on the north, sometimes on the south, sometimes all together.

// end act //

U-S officials have suspended the flight of Tomahawk Cruise missiles over Saudi Arabia because of some of them have gone astray in Saudi territory. However, they say that will not affect overall military operations. (signed)

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