Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/9/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN/IRAQ (L-O)

NUMBER=2-301972

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Britain says the Iraqi government is crumbling quickly and it is difficult to know who is left in the leadership who could surrender to coalition forces. V-O-A's Michael Drudge has details from London.

TEXT: British Prime Minister Tony Blair told Parliament there could be more hard fighting in Iraq, but the Iraqi government of President Saddam Hussein is obviously collapsing.

Mr. Blair said that at this point he would not know who could surrender on Saddam Hussein's behalf.

/// BLAIR ACT ///

It is extremely difficult, as we speak, to know what is left of the governing higher ranks of Saddam's regime.

/// END ACT ///

But Mr. Blair also cautioned Parliament that it is too early to celebrate the definitive defeat of Saddam Hussein.

/// BLAIR 2nd ACT ///

I should point out to the House that this conflict is not, however, over yet. There are still some very difficult things to do. And as we speak there is still intense resistance. Not broad spread amongst the Iraqi people, but certainly still amongst those parts of Saddam's regime that want to cling on to power.

/// END ACT ///

But the chief opposition leader in Parliament, Iain Duncan Smith of the Conservative Party, sounded triumphant in hailing what he called "one of the most brilliantly executed campaigns of recent history."

/// DUNCAN SMITH ACT ///

I congratulate the prime minister, and I would like to take this opportunity to do so for the role that he has played, standing together with our American allies in liberating the Iraqi people and ousting this evil dictator.

/// END ACT ///

Following Mr. Blair's appearance, his treasury chief, Gordon Brown, confirmed to Parliament that the war will cost Britain about four-and-one-half billion dollars. Mr. Brown's budget also includes 450-million dollars for domestic counter-terrorism operations. (SIGNED)

NEB/MWD/ALW/RAE