Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/30/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/SADDAM (S-O)

NUMBER=2-301523

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has voiced fresh doubt that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is alive and in command of his country's forces. More on that from Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld says Saddam Hussein may be dead or incapacitated. While he admits the Pentagon does not know for certain, he notes the Iraqi leader and his sons have neither been seen nor heard from in recent days.

In a television interview (Fox News Sunday), he suggests they may have been among the victims of a surprise coalition airstrike on a compound in Baghdad 11-days ago that marked the start of the war.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

All we know is that since then, we have not seen Saddam Hussein or his sons live anywhere or heard any reports live.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld's comments came just hours after the senior commander of U-S forces fighting the war told reporters he has seen no credible evidence that Iraqi forces appear to be under the control of senior leaders. (SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/RAE