Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=JUNE 8, 2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH BLAIR IRAQ (L-O)

NUMBER=2-316576

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

Headline : President Bush says the new U.N. resolution on Iraq is a great victory for the Iraqi people.

INTRO: President Bush says the new U.N. resolution on Iraq is a great victory for the Iraqi people and will lead to broader stability throughout the Middle East. White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports from the southern state of Georgia where President Bush is meeting with world leaders ahead of the start of the G-8 summit.

TEXT: President Bush says the new resolution shows the international community stands side-by-side with the Iraqi people.

/// BUSH ACT ///

The U.N. Security Council resolution supports the interim government. It supports free elections. It supports the multi-national force. America supports strongly the idea of a free society in the midst of hatred and intolerance.

/// END ACT ///

U-S and British officials revised the resolution to address concerns within the Security Council about how much autonomy that new Iraqi government will have with more than 130-thousand U-S troops staying in Iraq after the June 30th handover of power.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the new text gives that government greater oversight over coalition military operations.

/// BLAIR ACT ///

There is no doubt at all that sovereignty, full and indivisible sovereignty, transfers to the government of Iraq. And the multinational force from now on is there in support of the Iraqi government.

/// END ACT ///

The prime minister says the unanimous vote shows that the international community has put past differences over Iraq behind them and is now working toward a modern, democratic, and stable Iraq that will lead to greater regional security.

But in the short term, Mr. Blair warns that foreign terrorists and members of the former Iraqi government will likely continue to try and destabilize the process.

/// SECOND BLAIR ACT ///

I've no doubt there will be difficult and dangerous days ahead. These people will continue with their terrorism and their obstruction, but there should be no doubt about what it is we want to see happening in Iraq or indeed the collective determination of a united world to bring it about.

/// END ACT ///

The prime minister says those behind continuing violence now face not only the multi-national force and a new Iraqi government, but also the entire weight of a united international community.

Within the G-8, the United States, Britain, Japan and Italy are part of the military coalition in Iraq. France, Germany, Russia, and Canada support the revised resolution but say they will not be sending troops.(SIGNED)

NEB/PT