Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=04/07/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON / SADDAM (S ONLY)

NUMBER=2-301903

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: American-led coalition forces have bombed another target in Baghdad where they believe Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and his two sons may have been attending a meeting. More from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: U-S officials say they do not know whether the Iraqi leader or his sons were killed in the bombing. But they indicate the attack -- based on intelligence information about a high-level meeting -- destroyed the building, leaving a huge smoking hole.

It is the second known attempt to kill Saddam Hussein. The first took place two weeks ago (March 19) and marked the start of coalition military operations in Iraq.

Since then, Pentagon officials have said they did not know whether Saddam was dead, alive or incapacitated.

However, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Monday that, whatever his situation, Saddam no longer runs much of Iraq. He assured Iraqis, as he put it, that life without Saddam Hussein is not a distant dream. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/WD