Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=6/17/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / IRAQ (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-316785

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Baghdad Bombing 'Shocks' Britain

INTRO: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says Thursday's car bombing in Baghdad is a direct attack on the Iraqi people, but it will not affect the June 30th transfer of power to the interim Iraqi government. VOA's Michael Drudge has more from London.

TEXT: Mr. Straw says he was shocked by the magnitude of the large car bomb outside an Iraqi army recruitment center.

The foreign secretary told reporters in London that terrorists want to undermine the June 30th handover of power in Iraq from the U-S-led occupation.

/// STRAW ACT ///

"This is an attack directed at the Iraqi people. The terrorists used to justify their terror, saying it was against the occupation. The occupation is going to end in 12 days' time. Now, the terrorists appear to be trying to stop the transfer of power to the Iraqi people themselves."

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Straw says such attacks will have no impact on the transfer of sovereignty to the new interim Iraqi government.

/// 2ND STRAW ACT // OPT ACT ///

"We, and I know the Iraqi people, will not be deterred by this terror. The transfer of power will take place. The Iraqis will take control of their own lives and their own nation, and will have our support in doing so."

/// END ACT /// END OPT ///

Prime Minister Tony Blair's human rights envoy to Iraq, Ann Clwyd (KLOO-id), told British radio, more such bombings are feared.

/// CLWYD ACT ///

"The Iraqis themselves did say when I was there three weeks ago that, in fact, they thought attacks of this kind would continue with increased ferocity up to June 30th, and possibly for six months afterwards."

/// END ACT ///

She said Iraq's security climate could improve dramatically by next year, as Iraqis themselves take on more responsibility for securing the country. (SIGNED)

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