Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 04/08/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / BLAIR IRAQ (S)

NUMBER=2-301911

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=BELFAST

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair say the United Nations will play a "vital" role in Iraq once the fighting there is finished. From Belfast, V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports, the two leaders met in Northern Ireland Tuesday, after their coalition forces again tried to kill Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

TEXT: President Bush says he does not know if the Iraqi leader was killed in the overnight bombing of a Baghdad restaurant. But Mr. Bush says he does know that Saddam Hussein is losing power.

/// BUSH ACTUALITY ///

That grip I used to describe that Saddam had around the throats of the Iraqi people are loosening. I can't tell you if all ten fingers are off the throat, but finger-by-finger it's coming off.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

At a joint news conference, the president and prime minister both spoke of a "vital" role for the United Nations in supporting a transitional government that Mr. Blair says will not be dictated by the American and British-led coalition.

/// BLAIR ACTUALITY ///

This new Iraq that will emerge is not to be run either by us or, indeed, by the U-N. That is a false choice. It will be run by the Iraqi people.

/// END ACT ///

President Bush intends to appoint a retired U-S general to run the country until that transitional government is in place.

(SIGNED)

NEB / SS / WD