Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/3/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / P-O-WS (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-301695

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=AMMAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The International Committee of the Red Cross, I-C-R-C, has gained access to some of the two-thousand Iraqi prisoners of war the U-S military says it is holding in southern Iraq. The I-C-R-C is still waiting for the same access to coalition P-O-Ws being held by Baghdad. Correspondent Laurie Kassman has more from Amman.

TEXT: I-C-R-C spokesman Muin Kassis says Red Cross teams this week have been registering Iraqi P-O-Ws being held in camps near the southern port of Um Qasr.

/// KASSIS ACT ///

On the first day there was a team of 15 I-C-R-C delegates, including one doctor and six interpreters. They were able to have individual interviews with the first group of prisoners of war, and the visits will continue for as long as needed in the next few days.

/// END ACT ///

The teams also monitor conditions of detention as outlined by Geneva Convention rules on the treatment of P-O-Ws. Mr. Kassis says the Red Cross teams will also facilitate contact between the prisoners and their families.

At least five U-S soldiers captured during an ambush on their convoy in the early days of the war were shown on Iraqi T-V. But Red Cross teams so far have not been able to meet with them. At least nine other U-S soldiers are listed as missing.

Mr. Kassis says he is encouraged by positive statements from the Baghdad government about access.

/// KASSIS 2nd ACT ///

We have constant contacts with the Iraqi authorities. And we feel, especially after the very heartening statements made by various Iraqi officials, that they will abide by the third Geneva Convention and we do hope that we will have similar access to visit the coalition forces prisoners of war held by the Iraqi forces very soon.

/// END ACT ///

Iraqi members of the I-C-R-C were able to get spare parts into the southern Iraq city of Basra to repair the main water treatment facility and ease a crisis there. But Mr. Kassis says water shortages are being reported in areas farther north, too.

/// KASSIS 3rd ACT ///

It seems there are increasing disruptions of water, not only in Basra, but in Baghdad itself. There are increasing electricity cuts, and we remain concerned about the general humanitarian condition of the population.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Kassis also voices concern about the growing number of civilian casualties filling Iraqi hospitals.

The I-C-R-C spokesman says detailed information about conditions inside Iraq has been sporadic in recent days because of disrupted telephone communications. (Signed)

NEB/LMK/ALW/RH