Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/13/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/TIKRIT (S)

NUMBER=2-302153

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=DOHA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The chief U-S military commander in the Gulf says U-S forces have entered Tikrit, the last major Iraqi city still under the control of the Saddam Hussein regime. V-O-A's Larry James reports from Doha that so far, the coalition troops have not encountered resistance.

TEXT: General Tommy Franks says his troops are in Saddam Hussein's hometown.

In an interview with the American television network C-N-N, General Franks said he could not say the war is over, but that U-S Marines are now in Tikrit. He gave no other details.

A C-N-N report from two abandoned military bases on the outskirts of the city found no Iraqi troop presence. In one, apparently that of the regular Iraqi army, they found only derelict and abandoned tanks and armored personnel carriers.

Next door, a Republican Guards compound was also abandoned, but there was no sign of armored vehicles or artillery, suggesting whatever unit was assigned there had withdrawn - their whereabouts still unknown.

Coalition military commanders have said they were prepared for a tough fight in and around Tikrit. So far, that has yet to materialize. (SIGNED)

NEB/LDJ/ALW/RAE