Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/6/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS / IRAQ WMD (L-O)

NUMBER=2-319480

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: U.S. Inspector Concludes Iraq Had No Weapons Of Mass Destruction Before U.S.-Led Invasion

INTRO: Chief U.S. weapons inspector Charles Duelfer says Iraq had no stockpiles of biological, chemical or nuclear weapons before last year's U.S.-led invasion. The Bush administration cited the threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction as a main reason for going to war. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports.

TEXT: Mr. Duelfer presented his conclusions in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee Wednesday:

/// DUELFER ACTUALITY ///

I do not expect that militarily significant w-m-d stocks are hidden in Iraq.

/// END ACT ///

But at the same time, MR. Duelfer lent support to the Bush administration's argument that deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein remained a threat. He cited evidence that Saddam had not lost his ambition to pursue weapons of mass destruction, and hoped to revive the weapons program if United Nations sanctions were lifted.

/// DUELFER ACTUALITY ///

Those around Saddam seemed quite convinced that once sanctions were ended and all other things being equal, Saddam would renew his efforts in this field.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Duelfer said Saddam argued that the use of chemical weapons saved his government by halting Iranian ground offensives during the Iran-Iraq war, and by threatening to use chemical and biological weapons, Saddam believes he deterred coalition forces from pressing on to Baghdad during the 1991 Gulf War.

Democrats, including President Bush's Democratic challenger for the White House, Senator John Kerry, have argued Mr. Bush rushed to war with Iraq last year without giving U.N. inspectors enough time to investigate.

The top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, used the opportunity to criticize the administration for changing the rationale for war when no weapons of mass destruction were found.

/// LEVIN ACTUALITY

After the war started, the administration began an effort to change the subject of the debate, from the actual presence of weapons of mass destruction, to w-m-d programs, then to w-m-d-related-program activities, and more recently, to speculation about intentions.

/// END ACT ///

But under questioning from the Republican chairman, Senator John Warner of Virginia, Mr. Duelfer said the world is better off now that Saddam Hussein is out of power.

There was a similar line of questioning from Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican:

/// MCCAIN ACTUALITY ///

Is there any doubt in your mind that if Saddam Hussein were in power today, and there were no restrictions or sanctions placed on him, that he would be attempting to acquire weapons of mass of destruction, Mr. Duelfer?

/// DUELFER ACTUALITY ///

To me, that is quite clear.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Duelfer drew the conclusions in his report from documents, testimony from Iraqi officials, and debriefings with Saddam Hussein following his capture by U.S. forces. (signed)

Neb/dat/PT