Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/15/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/U-S BRIEFING/W-M-D (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-302227

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=AS SALIYAH, QATAR

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S officials say they are committing significant resources to the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. V-O-A's Larry James reports from Central Command headquarters in Doha.

TEXT: Central Command spokesman Brigadier General Vincent Brooks says major efforts are under way to hunt for weapons of mass destruction, one of the key objectives of the military campaign.

/// BROOKS ACT ///

We remain convinced there are weapons of mass destruction inside Iraq, and we remain unwavering in our view of that.

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The general said the coalition is committing an entire artillery brigade, several-thousand men who have been given special training for the task, to the search.

No such weapons have been found so far.

General Brooks also said coalition forces continue to work to prevent any wanted members of the former regime from fleeing across the border to Syria. U-S officials have charged that Syria has provided refuge for some of those individuals, a charge Syria denies.

NEB/LDJ/ALW/RAE