Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=04/07/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ WRAP 2nd UPDATE (L-O)

NUMBER=2-301902

BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: RECASTS, UPDATES CR 2-301893; NEXT UPDATE BY 4 A.M. TUE. ///

INTRO: Coalition troops are consolidating their position in the center of Iraq, as U-S soldiers find what they describe as suspicious chemicals. Meanwhile, President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair meet in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to discuss post-war Iraq. V-O-A's Stephanie Ho reports from Washington.

TEXT: More than 100 U-S tanks and armored vehicles pushed deep into the center of Baghdad, entering a main presidential palace and other government buildings in a show of force.

V-O-A's Alisha Ryu, with U-S troops at Baghdad airport, says coalition forces felt confident enough to stay overnight in the Iraqi capital.

/// RYU ACT ///

The Second Brigade had a very, very active day (Monday). And, in fact, they're staying in downtown Baghdad tonight.

/// END ACT ///

Despite coalition advances, Iraq's information minister continued to deny U-S troops are in Baghdad.

The Red Cross reports that the city's hospitals are overflowing with Iraqi war casualties. U-S officials say they have taken about seven thousand Iraqi prisoners of war.

/// OPT /// For the first time since the war began, U-S Commander Tommy Franks visited American troops in Iraq and received first-hand briefings from field commanders. /// END OPT ///

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says it is too soon to declare victory, but he says Saddam Hussein's regime no longer controls much of the country.

/// 1st RUMSFELD ACT ///

His forces continue to surrender and capitulate. His regime is running out of real soldiers. And soon, all that will be left will be the war criminals.

/// END ACT ///

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is taking a cautious approach to reports of possible chemical weapons finds by coalition forces in Iraq. Samples of the chemicals have been sent to the United States for testing. Mr. Rumsfeld cautions everyone to wait until the results are in.

/// 2nd RUMSFELD ACT ///

I can tell you it takes days to get samples of things from wherever they are in the battlefield into a first place where they take a look, and then to a second place, where things get checked.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld expressed optimism that General Ali Hassan Al Majid, who is suspected of using poison gas against Iraqi Kurds in 1988, is dead. British troops, who have taken control of the southern Iraqi city of Basra, are reported to have found his body following a coalition airstrike on his home there.

Meanwhile, President Bush and British Prime Minister Blair are meeting in Belfast. Topping their agenda is discussion over how to administer Iraq once the fighting is finished. Secretary of State Colin Powell says Bush administration officials will go to Iraq this week to begin preparing for an interim authority.

In New York, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan repeated calls that the international body be allowed to play an important post-war role.

/// ANNAN ACT ///

U-N involvement does bring legitimacy, which is necessary -- necessary for the country (Iraq), for the region and for the people around the world.

/// END ACT ///

Aid officials in Jordan say an expected Iraqi humanitarian crisis has not materialized. Relief organizations now are focusing on providing clean drinking water and sanitation for the Iraqi people. (SIGNED)

NEB/SHO/MAR