National Radio, 1pm - 1.20pm, 18.03.03. (Special extended edition of Midday Report):
Washington correspondent Malcolm Brown talks about what is already known of the speech President Bush is about to deliver - a 48-hour ultimatum to the Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and those immediately around him to get out of Iraq or face attack.
01'25" Cross to Washington where President Bush is addressing the nation. He speaks about lack of cooperation with United Nations inspectors looking for weapons of mass destruction, that the Iraqi regime continues to possess and conceal such weapons, and helps train and harbour terrorists. He says the United States has the right to use force to remove this security threat; he cites United Nations resolutions from the time of the Gulf War as backing up the use of force and that the US has the will to do this. A broad coalition of allies is preparing to act (because) the UN Security Council has not lived up to its responsibilities.
07'05" Delivers his ultimatum that Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours or Iraq will be attacked at a time of the US choosing; warns all foreign nationals to leave immediately for their own safety. Tells the Iraqi army not to resist, not to destroy oil wells.
Continues with more warnings to Iraq and like-minded nations, and repeating the resolution being shown by the US. ENDS 14"35".
Malcolm Brown in Washington comments on the speech, interviewed by Janine Sudbury in Wellington. Still not certain when attack will begin. ENDS 19'00"