Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=4/18/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / WAR AFTERMATH (S)

NUMBER=2-302344

BYLINE=MAURA FOGARTY

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Foreign ministers from countries neighboring Iraq are meeting (Friday) in Saudi Arabia to discuss the consequences of the ouster of Saddam Hussein. Maura Fogarty has details from our Middle East bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: The hastily called meeting is bringing together ministers from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey and Syria, and Saudi Arabia, as well as Bahrain, which currently heads the Arab League.

The foreign ministers have several topics on their agenda, such as how to restore stability in Iraq as well as the implications for the region of a long term U-S presence in Iraq.

They are also expected to reject pressure from the United States on Syria. U-S officials have accused Syria of possessing weapons of mass destruction and of harboring fugitives from Saddam's government.

The ministers of Egypt and Syria have also let it be known that they want the group to call for the United States and Britain to withdraw their troops immediately.

The one-day meeting is expected to end with a declaration calling on the Iraqi people to be allowed to run their own affairs. (Signed)

NEN/PT/KL/RH