Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/9/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / JORDAN REACT (L-O)

NUMBER=2-301990

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=AMMAN, JORDAN

CONTENT=

INTRO: Jordanians watching television were stunned by scenes of celebration (Wednesday) as a statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled in the main square of Baghdad. We have more from Correspondent Laurie Kassman in Amman.

TEXT: Thirty-year-old Fuad stared at the live T-V scenes of American soldiers moving into the center of Baghdad in disbelief.

/// FUAD ACT IN ARABIC, EST AND FADE UNDER TRANSLATION ///

It is mysterious and it is confusing me. I do not know what is going to happen. I am shocked. I am amazed at what happened.

/// END ACT ///

The young Jordanian government worker sat mesmerized by the live T-V coverage of U-S soldiers helping young Iraqis topple a statue of Saddam Hussein that had been erected in the main square a year ago.

Now, he says, he prays for peace.

/// FUAD ACT IN ARABIC, EST AND FADE UNDER TRANSLATION ///

I do not care about Saddam or another leader. I would like to see the Iraqis in peace. I would like to see the Palestinians in peace.

/// END ACT ///

Another Jordanian, Abdullah, cannot believe Saddam Hussein's control over Iraq has crumbled so quickly.

/// ABDULLAH ACT ///

Nobody can believe at all. You see in 21-days during a war. Suddenly no army, no tanks, no planes. Nothing. The American army get inside Baghdad, even own police you never see. What happened? There is something strange. Nobody can believe what happened.

/// END ACT ///

Egyptian worker Youssef says he is saddened by what he has seen and describes it as humiliating for Arabs.

/// YOUSSEF ACT IN ARABIC, EST. AND FADE UNDER TRANSLATION ///

The way the Americans were showing the people they are the ones who control the world. They have Saddam down. They tell the people we are the ones on top so they are controlling everything especially in the Arab world. It is very humiliating.

/// END ACT ///

All three men say they are worried about what will happen in the coming days and weeks in the absence of a functioning government. Meanwhile, they hope the fighting will stop soon. (SIGNED)

NEB/LMK/KL/RAE/KBK