Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 4/9/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= PENTAGON / SADDAM UPDATE (S-Only)

NUMBER=2-301991

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

/// EDS: ALL NEW MATERIAL, ADDS ACTS ///

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says it has been a good day for Iraq but he warns much dangerous work remains to be done by coalition forces. More from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: Despite breathtaking images of liberated Iraqis celebrating in the streets of Baghdad, Mr. Rumsfeld says one remaining problem is determining the fate of Saddam Hussein.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

We still must capture, account for, or otherwise deal with Saddam Hussein and his sons and the senior Iraqi leadership.

///END ACTUALITY///

Another problem, he says, is locating Iraq's chemical weapons and making sure that, along with Iraqi leaders, they don't leave the country.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

We still need to find and secure Iraq's weapons of mass destruction facilities and secure Iraq's borders so we can prevent the flow of weapons of mass destruction materials and senior regime officials out of the country.

///END ACTUALITY///

One neighboring country in the spotlight is Syria. Mr. Rumsfeld says there is some intelligence it is helping move people out of Iraq. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/KBK