Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/3/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/SADDAM (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-301733

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says there will be no deals to halt the fighting in Iraq that let Saddam Hussein's regime maintain any grip on power. More from V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports from the Pentagon.

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld says some governments are already discussing possible deals that he says are giving a false hope of survival to Saddam Hussein's government.

Mr. Rumsfeld mentions no countries by name, but did not challenge a reporter's question that included references to both France and Russia.

In any event, he says, there can be no deals.

/// RUMSFELD ACTUALITY ///

There's not a chance that there's going to be a deal. It doesn't matter who proposes it, there will not be one.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

For his part, General Richard Myers, Chairman of the U-S military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, says efforts by other governments to give hope to Saddam's regime can only prolong the fighting and raise the death toll for both Iraqi civilians and coalition troops. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/TW