Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4-4-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=POWELL / SADDAM (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-301787

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

INTRO: Secretary of State Colin Powell has brushed aside what Iraqi television said was new footage of Saddam Hussein broadcast on Friday. Mr. Powell says with U-S-led coalition forces now controlling most of Iraq, the status of the Iraqi president is "almost irrelevant." V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: Meeting reporters after talks with European Union chief diplomat Javier Solana, Mr. Powell said he had no opinion as to whether or not the address, and video of Saddam Hussein walking the streets of Baghdad, were recent or even authentic. But he said it would have no effect on coalition forces, who he said are in Iraq to liberate the country and are close to reaching that objective:

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They will be successful in that mission, and whether he is there at the end or not, or found or not, is almost irrelevant. We are almost totally in control of the country and will be in complete control soon. And a better day is ahead for the Iraqi people.

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Both the Secretary of State and Mr. Solana, who also met Thursday in Brussels, said they had narrowed U-S European differences over Iraq's post-war future, and agreed the United Nations will have a major role in the process. (Signed)

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