Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 3/30/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= PENTAGON/WAR PLAN (S-O)

NUMBER=2-301526

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Senior U-S defense officials are rejecting criticism, some of it from military commanders, that poor planning and inadequate forces are affecting the war in Iraq. More from Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld flatly denies charges he interfered with the military planning process for war, overruling commanders' calls for more troops and armor.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

I think that you will find that if you asked anyone that has been involved in the process from the Central Command that every single thing that they have requested has happened.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld's comments in a Fox Network television interview drew support from General Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who in an N-B-C News interview rejected claims too few U-S forces have been sent into Iraq.

/// MYERS ACT ///

I dispute that we have sent an inadequate force to war.

/// END ACT ///

General Myers says the war is going well, though he and Mr. Rumsfeld both acknowledge tough fighting could lie ahead as forces approach Baghdad. (SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/RAE