Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 4/7/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= PENTAGON / WAR (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-301894

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Top defense officials say Saddam Hussein's regime is collapsing around him as the circle of coalition forces closes in on Baghdad. More from V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida at the Pentagon.

TEXT: With U-S forces operating in and around Baghdad, and the city now completely isolated, defense officials are sounding increasingly optimistic about the war.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the progress of American soldiers is disproving critics who questioned the overall war plan and specifically asked whether sufficient forces had been sent to Iraq.

Still, he says there could be some tough moments ahead.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

Despite the dire predictions about the forces and the plan, coalition forces have come a long way in a short time. But there is dangerous and difficult work ahead.

///END ACTUALITY///

For the first time since the war began, the man in charge of U-S forces involved in the operation, General Tommy Franks, visited Iraq, spending some seven hours visiting troops and getting first-hand briefings from field commanders. During a stop in Najaf, he spoke of the Iraqi people, saying "their days of being raped and murdered are coming to an end." (Signed)

NEB/BEL/MAR