Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/18/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/BRIEFING (L)

NUMBER=2-302341

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=AS SALIYAH, QATAR

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Another senior member of the ousted Saddam Hussein regime is now in coalition hands. Baath Party official Samir Abd al-Aziz al-Najim, who is on the U-S list of the 55 most wanted Iraqis, was turned over to American troops by Kurdish forces in northern Iraq. V-O-A's Larry James has more from military headquarters in Doha, Qatar.

TEXT: Central Command spokesman Brigadier General Vincent Brooks described Samir Abd al-Aziz al-Najim as a Baath party insider, and someone who could provide key information on additional regime figures still at large.

/// BROOKS ACT ///

All the members of that list of 55 have useful information about the inner workings, the inside of this regime, and, more importantly, some of its actions, some of the atrocities committed against the population, that relates to weapons of mass destruction, that relates to links to terrorism, all these things we think we'll find, as we find these additional regime leaders.

/// END ACT ///

The development comes one day after U-S officials announced that a half-brother of Saddam Hussein had been captured in Baghdad. Barzan Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti was one of Saddam's close advisers, and a former head of the Iraqi intelligence agency, which U-S officials say was responsible for executing opponents inside and outside Iraq. There are now four senior regime officials in coalition hands.

In military action in the past 24 hours, elements of the U-S Fourth Infantry Division fought what were described as Iraqi paramilitary troops, destroying eight light vehicles and taking 30 prisoners. The fighting was reported to have taken place north of Baghdad between the cities of Taji and Samarra.

In political developments, General Brooks said the U-S-led coalition is not prepared to endorse any particular Iraqi leadership candidates. When asked if the coalition recognized an associate of former exile Ahmed Chalabi as the new mayor of Baghdad, the general referred to the man as an emerging leader, but said no new local leaders have yet been officially elected.

/// 2ND BROOKS ACT ///

Until full processes are in place, and indeed, we have a democratic process for making these types of decisions and elections, particularly with regard to a city the size of Baghdad, then, no, that is not a recognized mayor of Baghdad, at this point.

/// END ACT ///

General Brooks said the Iraqi political process is just starting.

That was evident in the streets of Baghdad Friday, as thousands of people carrying Korans and waving banners demonstrated outside a mosque after mid-day prayers, demanding that the United States leave Iraq.

In the first Friday prayers since relative calm returned to the city this week, Imam Ahmed al-Kubaisi told worshippers that the United States invaded Iraq to defend Israel, and denied that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.

His followers then took to the streets chanting anti-American slogans and waving banners that read "No to America. No to a secular state. Yes to an Islamic State." (Signed)

NEB/LDJ/AWP/TW