Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/11/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/U-S BRIEFING/MOSUL (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-302085

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=DOHA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A U-S military spokesman says an entire Iraqi army corps has formally surrendered to U-S special forces in Mosul, northern Iraq's biggest city. That now leaves Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, as his regime's last major holdout. V-O-A's Roger Wilkison reports from U-S Central Command headquarters in Qatar.

TEXT: Central Command spokesman Brigadier General Vince Brooks told reporters that Mosul fell without bloodshed Friday, as American forces arrived and accepted the surrender of the commander of the Iraqi Army's Fifth Corps.

/// BROOKS ACT ///

The coalition's special operations commander accepted a signed cease-fire agreement from the Iraqi Fifth Corps commander - regular army - near Mosul.

/// END ACT ///

General Brooks says he expects Fifth Corps soldiers to follow the example of other Iraqi troops in the north and leave their weapons, equipment and uniforms behind and either return to their garrisons or go home.

Television footage showed scores of unarmed, bootless ex-soldiers near Mosul beginning a long trek home. As they left the city, looters moved in, pillaging banks and other buildings.

Looting has become a problem in most cities where Saddam Hussein's government has lost control. Coalition forces say they are still fighting a war, and must deal with threats from pro-Saddam elements. Looting, they say, is a problem but not an immediate threat. (Signed)

NEB/RW/ALW/TW