Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/1/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON / SADDAM (S ONLY)

NUMBER=2-301623

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has again raised doubts about whether Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is alive and in control. V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports from the Pentagon.

TEXT: It was the third straight day that a top Pentagon official has challenged Saddam's grip on power -- this time noting the Iraqi leader's failure to appear personally to deliver a statement that was read instead by his information minister.

Defense Secretary Rumsfeld called the absence of Saddam, his son and other senior officials noteworthy.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

And where are Iraq's leaders? The night before the ground war began, coalition forces launched a strike on a meeting of Iraq's senior command and control. And they have not been heard from since. The fact that Saddam Hussein did not show up for his televised speech today is interesting.

///END ACTUALITY///

Pentagon officials admit the comments about Saddam's absence from a public view amount to taunting. But they say it has more than mere psychological value. If the Iraqi leader does emerge publicly, showing he is still alive, then maybe coalition forces can pinpoint his location and target him anew. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/PT/RH