Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=6/6/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH/IRAQ (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-316503

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Top Bush administration officials say they are confident the U-N Security Council will act soon on a new Iraq resolution. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports, they say an agreement is very close.

TEXT: Secretary of State Colin Powell says he is encouraged by what he has seen lately at the United Nations.

He says there is no denying differences remain over the wisdom of invading Iraq. But he stresses the international community is ready to move forward.

/// POWELL ACT ///

. . . and that is what I hope this resolution will allow us to do, to move forward as an international community, to allow the Iraqi people - and help the Iraqi people achieve the democracy that they so richly deserve, having gotten rid of a tyrant, Saddam Hussein.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Powell told C-B-S television's Face the Nation that the Iraq resolution before the Security Council is comprehensive. He said accompanying letters set out arrangements for a multi-national force that will handle security duties in Iraq, after the transfer of full sovereignty to that country's interim government.

In a later appearance on C-N-N's Late Edition, Secretary Powell said all major issues related to the resolution have been resolved, and only a few details remain.

/// POWELL ACT ///

The last three U-N resolutions with respect to Iraq since the war all passed unanimously, and I hope, this coming week, we will see another resolution pass unanimously.

/// END ACT ///

Some countries have hinted they might be willing to send troops to Iraq, once the U-N formally endorses the interim leadership, and paves the way for the multi-national force. But White House National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice told the Fox News Sunday program, the Bush administration does not expect an influx of foreign troops.

/// RICE ACT ///

The notion of large scale increases in foreign forces is probably not in the cards.

/// END ACT ///

Like Secretary Powell, Ms. Rice expressed confidence the resolution will clear the Security Council in a matter of days. She said passage of the measure by a united Council will send out a clear signal, not only to the people of Iraq, but terrorists and others who are challenging the move to democracy in that country.

/// RICE ACT ///

The strongest message that could be sent to them is the unified message of the international community that this government is supported, the multinational force is supported and Iraq's future is well on its way.

/// END ACT ///

Both Secretary Powell and Condoleezza Rice were interviewed by satellite from the American Cemetery in Normandy in France, where they were attending ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the D-day invasion that led to the fall of Nazi Germany in World War Two. (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/TW/RAE