Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/4/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-301768

TITLE=IRAQ / U-S BRIEFING / AIRPORT (S-O)

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=DOHA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S forces have seized Saddam International Airport, just over 15 kilometers from downtown Baghdad, and renamed it Baghdad International Airport. V-O-A's Roger Wilkison reports from coalition headquarters in Qatar that a senior U-S military official says U-S control of the airport will prevent any member of the Iraqi leadership from escaping by air.

TEXT: U-S forces say they are still dealing with pockets of resistance at the airport, but, on Friday, U-S Central Command's deputy operations director, Brigadier General Vincent Brooks, outlined for reporters why possession of the facility is so important to the U-S war plan.

/// BROOKS ACT ///

The airport gives us a number of things. First, it prevents the departure of regime leaders, with it being in our possession. It is an airport, and so, in due time, it would be something that can be used for air operations when we decide to put it back in operation. . Most important, we preserved it for the future of Iraq.

/// END ACT ///

General Brooks says the airport's main runway has been disabled, in case any of Iraq's current leaders try to escape. He also says U-S forces found an underground complex at the airport, and are trying to find out what is inside it.

Though General Brooks says U-S forces are convinced they have breached Baghdad's defensive ring, he also cautions that there are Iraqis in the city who are ready to fight coalition forces. The general, warning that tough days are ahead, says coalition forces will need time to capture the city. (Signed)

NEB/RW/KL/TW/FC