SHOTLIST:

1. Wide of arrival of John Ashcroft

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) John Ashcroft, US Attorney General

"We are asking all non-US citizens who are present in the United States or who seek to enter our country to come forward to the FBI with any valuable information they have to aid in the war on terrorism. In return for this information, the Department of Justice will assist non-resident aliens in obtaining what are called S-visas which are available when the information provided is critical and reliable and the person is placed in danger as as result of sharing that information."

3. Wide of John Ashcroft

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) John Ashcroft, US Attorney General

"We need continued help from every responsible individual within our nation's borders. People who have information about terrorist activity must make a choice: either they will come forward to save American lives or they will remain silent against evil. The people who have the courage to make the right choice deserve to be welcomed as guests in our country and perhaps one day to become fellow citizens."

5. Graphic of Clayton Lee Waagner, on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) John Ashcroft, US Attorney General

"Authorities received information over Thanksgiving that Waagner has claimed responsibility for sending over 280 letters purporting to contain anthrax to women's reproductive health clinic on the East coast in the second week of October. The second series of letters, also falsely claiming to contain anthrax, was sent to more than 270 clinics in the first week of November. The Department of Justice considers Waagner's threats and all anthrax hoaxes to be serious violations of federal law. Perpetrators of anthrax hoaxes and those who threaten abortion providers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

7. Graphic of Waagner

STORYLINE:

Attorney General John Ashcroft is offering to help foreigners obtain visas in exchange for information on terrorists.

At a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington DC, Ashcroft said the programme would also defer deportation for those who qualify.

Ashcroft also named Clayton Lee Waagner, one of the FBI's most-wanted fugitives, as a suspect in a string of anthrax hoax letters sent to abortion clinics.

Ashcroft said the FBI had obtained information over the Thanksgiving holiday indicating Waagner had claimed responsibility for sending more than 280 letters to clinics across the United States.

The FBI considers Waagner "extremely dangerous because he has survival skills and may be heavily armed," Assistant FBI Director Rueben Garcia said.

Scores of family-planning clinics in at least 12 states have received letters containing anthrax threats, according to officials of feminist and abortion-rights organizations.

None of the powder sent to the clinics has tested positive for anthrax.

Waagner, 44, an escaped inmate from Illinois, was placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list in September.

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot journalists in front of meeting table, pan to President Bush and others

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W Bush, US President "First of all, I don't have anthrax, and the... it's hard for Americans to imagine how evil people are who are doing this. We are having to adjust our thinking. We are a kind nation, a compassionate nation, a nation of strong values and we value life and we are learning people in this world want to terrorize our country by trying to take life. They won't succeed. This country is too strong to allow terrorists to affect the lives of our citizens. I understand people are concerned and they should be but they need to know our government is doing everything we possibly can to protect the lives of our citizens, everything."

3. Medium shot Senators and Congressmen listening

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W Bush, US President "There is no question that anybody who would mail anthrax with the intent to harm American citizens is a terrorist and there is no question that al-Qaida is a terrorist organization so I wouldn't put it past me that they are... I wouldn't surprise me that they are involved with it, but I have no direct evidence. But I do know that this country is strong enough to endure the evil ones and we are making great progress on the ground in Afghanistan and we'll bring the al-Qaida to justice and we are doing everything we can to find out who mailed these letters."

5. Medium shot journalist asking question

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W Bush, US President "Well I told Shimon Peres that first of all our country, the people of our country are saddened by the fact that the Cabinet minister was assassinated, it's just unacceptable behaviour. I also told him that we continue to call upon Chairman Arafat to do everything he can to bring the killer to justice. It's very important that he arrests the person who did this or those who did this act and continue to arrest those who disrupt and harm Israeli citizens. He must, he must show the resolve necessary to bring peace to the region, and finally I did express our concern about troops in Palestinian territory and I would hope that the Israelis move their troops as quickly as possible."

7. Medium shot Senators and Congressmen listening

STORYLINE:

U-S President George W Bush has assured the American public that his government is doing everything it can to capture those who have mailed letters contaminated with anthrax.

At a White House news briefing on Tuesday, Bush said that those who have sent the letters are terrorists.

He said he wouldn't be surprised if what he called "the al-Qaida terrorist organisation" was behind the anthrax scare, although he admitted there was no evidence linking the two.

Bush also talked about the situation in the Middle East, saying the killers of the Israeli Tourism Minister must be brought to justice, while also calling on the Israelis to pull troops out of the Palestinian territories.

SHOTLIST:

1. Various of meeting between US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson and the British Secretary of Health Alan Milburn

2. Various of signing of agreement

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) British Health Secretary, Alan Milburn

"Well, following the atrocities on September the 11th as we know there is now an international coalition to defeat terrorism and I think what you've seen today is the beginnings of the forging of a new international coalition to ensure that our peoples are protected from any new threats that may arise. What we've signed today is an historical agreement between the UK government and US government to pool our resources, to pool our expertise and our information. To make sure that our people are properly protected."

4. Cutaway

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) British Health Secretary, Alan Milburn

I should say that it is very, very important in my view that we stay calm about these issues as far as we know in the UK for example there is no specific or credible threat against our people. People should go about their normal business, but we have a responsibility in government to plan for all eventualities and September the 11th has shown us how we must do that."

6. Wideshot of interview

STORYLINE:

Britain and the United States on Wednesday signed an historic agreement to share information and resources to protect the residents of both countries from the threat of bio-terrorism.

The pact will ensure the UK and USA's public health systems "stand together" in protecting the population from acts of bio-terrorism.

The agreement, called `Collaboration in Improving Public Health Responses to Emergencies', links the capacity of two powerful public health systems with expertise in the prevention, early detection and control of infectious diseases, Mr Milburn said.

According to the agreement, Britain and the United States will jointly review their surveillance systems, review all possible threats, no matter how remote, and test and strengthen contingency plans to ensure high standards of public protection.

British Health Secretary, Alan Milburn met his US counterpart, Tommy Thompson in Washington D.C.

Alan Milburn says there is no specific threat, but governments of both countries must be prepared.

Meanwhile, FBI agents wearing white moon suits and gas masks scoured the newspaper offices of two men whose exposure to anthrax has prompted heightened fear of bioterrorism across the U.S.

The search turned up no further sign of anthrax in Robert Stevens' office since traces were discovered on his computer keyboard. Stevens, 63, a photo editor with the Sun tabloid, died last week of inhaled anthrax, a rare, particularly lethal form of the disease.

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot of Cuban Interest section and pro-Castro demonstrators standing by building's entrance

2. Mid shot of pro-Castro demonstrators holding signs calling for an end to the US blockade

3. Mid shot of anti-Castro demonstrators holding sign saying "Terrorism"

4. Mid shot of man holding picture and banner calling for freedom to political prisoners in Cuba

5. Traveling through pro-Castro demonstrators outside Cuban interest section

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Adrian Boutureira, pro-Cuba demonstrator:

"We have come out in anticipation of what was planned to be an anti-Cuba demonstration. We are here trying to promote the respect for the sovereignty of Cuba as a nation in anticipation to what we perceived to be an increase in the rhetoric against Cuba in terms of accusing Cuba of harbouring biological weapons, accusing Cuba of harbouring terrorists, in other words, we are hearing the same rhetoric that led up to the invasion of Iraq and we are very concerned that the sovereignty of Cuba is in jeopardy."

7. Close up of Cuban Interest Section and Embassy of Switzerland sign

8. Tilt from Interest section building to pro-Castro demonstrators

9. Mid shot of woman holding Cuban flag

10. Men holding sign saying "Lift the Travel Ban"

11.SOUNDBITE (English) Rafael Cervantes, anti-Castro demonstrator:

"At the present moment Fidel Castro is a terrorist as was described by the acts that he is committing. He is supporting terrorist organisations, he is training terrorists in Cuba and we believe that he has weapons of mass destruction in Cuba. It hasn't been proven yet but we are very suspicious of the anthrax attacks in Washington and Castro's interests in the postal service and how it operates in Cuba, if that is the case Castro should learn from the lesson of Saddam Hussein and he should consider very carefully what he does with the Cuban people."

12. Mid shot of anti-Castro demonstrators

13. Mid shot of pro-Castro demonstrators

14. Pan from anti-Castro demonstrators to Interest Section building

STORYLINE:

Protesters from an anti-Castro group, the "Coalition for Cuban Freedom," held a demonstration in Washington on Saturday to call for democracy in Cuba and alleged that Fidel Castro is supporting terrorist organisations.

A second group of protesters, who object to the U.S. government's policies towards Cuba decided to stage a counter-demonstration, and turned up at the same location, outside the Cuban Interest Section offices, which are located inside the grounds of the Swiss embassy.

The pro-Cuba protesters were calling for the lifting of the travel band to the Caribbean island.

Earlier this year, George W. Bush's administration dropped a Clinton-era "people-to-people" policy aimed at increasing contacts between ordinary Americans and Cubans.

Under the policy, the US government granted licenses to academics, athletes, scientists and others to travel to Cuba for exchange programmes.

One of the protesters calling for Cuban leader Fidel Castro's removal, accused him of training terrorists and alleged that he may have been involved in the anthrax attacks that occurred in the US during 2001.

SHOTLIST

1. Graphic of US President George W. Bush's Radio Address

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) US President George W. Bush: "Last week the national terrorist threat level was raised to 'high.' This is primarily a signal to federal, state and local law enforcement to take additional precautions and increase security measures against potential terrorist attacks."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) US President George W. Bush: "These recent threats are a stark reminder that our country remains engaged in a war on terror. Our enemies are still determined to attack America, and there is no such thing as perfect security against a hidden network of killers. Yet I assure you that our government at every level is responding to this threat, working to track down every lead and standing watch 24 hours a day against terrorism."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) US President George W. Bush: "Our effort to safeguard the homeland includes tighter security at the borders and ports of entry. We have posted more than 50,000 newly-trained federal screeners at airports. We have begun inoculating troops and first responders against smallpox. We are deploying the nation's first early warning network of sensors to detect biological attack. And we are moving to better coordinate the efforts of law enforcement."

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) U.S. President George W. Bush: "We are gathering the best information possible and using it to make sure the right people are in the right places to protect our citizens. Throughout the country joint terrorism task forces are bringing together federal, state and local officials to fight terrorism. The FBI is expanding its terrorist identification system, so that 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies will be able to identify known or suspected terrorists almost immediately. Local police will be able to access federal terrorist information from their squad cars to determine whether individuals they have pulled over or detained have terrorist links. I've also asked Congress to fill a critical need in our defence against bio-terror by committing almost six billion dollars to quickly make available effective vaccines and treatments against agents like smallpox, anthrax, botulinum toxin, ebola and plague. Our nation is preparing for a variety of threats we hope never will arrive. Many of these dangers are unfamiliar and unsettling. Yet the best way to fight these dangers is to anticipate them, and act against them with focus and determination. This vigilance is a fundamental responsibility of your government, and we are fulfilling that duty in every way we can. In the fight against terror, the American people are resolute. We will persevere, and we will prevail."

STORYLINE:

US President Bush sought to reassure a nervous nation on Saturday, detailing increased security measures being taken to protect the United States (U-S.) from terrorist attack.

Speaking in his weekly radio address, President Bush told Americans the government was "standing watch 24 hours a day against terrorism." However he warned that the threat of attack from terrorists remained, admitting "there is no such thing as perfect security against a hidden network of killers."

Bush promised listeners that plans are in place to protect infrastructure such as dams, power plants, computer networks and communication systems, to tighten security at borders and ports, to collect better intelligence on emerging threats, and to detect a biological attack through an early warning network of sensors.

He also announced a six (b) billion dollar fund to make available vaccines against chemical warfare, listing specifically agents such as smallpox, anthrax, botulinum toxin, ebola and plague.

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot of Bush and Cheney entering room

2. Mid shot Cheney

3. Cutaway audience

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President:

"We're slowly but surely dismantling Taliban defenses, Taliban military installations, the Taliban command and control structure. All aimed at bringing the al-Qaida criminals to justice. It is the first battle on the war on terrorism. The American people are going to have to be patient, just like we are. They're going to have to be determined, just like our military is. And with that patience and determination, we will eventually smoke them out of their holes and get them and bring them to justice and that's exactly what the world demands and that's what the US will deliver."

5. Wide-shot Bush

6. Cutaway audience

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President:

"But we now have this second front against terror here at home. We've been struck obviously on Sept. 11, and we're being struck again. Anytime anybody who puts anthrax in a letter is an act of terror. The press often asks me is this the evil one hiding from us in Afghanistan, the ones who've done this to America, I say I don't know, we don't know yet. But we do know the evil one who hides thinks in ways that we can't possibly think in America. So destructive. Such a low regard for human life. And anybody who puts anthrax trying to kill American citizens shares the same sets of values, whoever's done it, shares the same value of evil that we saw on Sept. 11 and we'll find them and bring them to justice as well."

8. Cutaway audience

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President:

"In all our wars the productive power of the economy has been one of our nation's great advantages, and that's true today. But it's clear that our economy has been shocked, there's been shock waves sent throughout all parts of the nation's economic fabric.

10. Wide-shot Bush

11. Cutaway applause

12. Wide-shot Bush shaking hands

STORYLINE:

George Bush said U.S. air strikes in Afghanistan are gradually eroding the Taliban's military strength and setting the stage for defeat of the shadowy al-Qaida terrorist network.

Bush spoke on the 20th day of air strikes aimed at bringing down the radical Islamic Taliban regime and rooting out the al-Qaida terrorists believed to be linked to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Bush urged Americans to be patient as the U.S. military, with support from Britain and other allies, carries out a carefully drawn strategy that combines air power with less visible special operations on the ground.

Bush spoke confidently of winning what he called the first battle in the war on terrorism, but he also cautioned that the fight requires determination - not just by the military but by the public as well.

The Pentagon said warplanes had struck a variety of military targets on Thursday, including cave complexes believed to contain Taliban or al-Qaida fighters.

Among the weapons used Thursday were a small number of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have been fired only sparingly since the early days of the military campaign.

Other officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Friday's attacks against Taliban positions north of Kabul and elsewhere were carried out by roughly 50 strike aircraft, compared with about 80 planes used in the previous day's attacks.

The Air Force continued air dropping thousands of food rations to starving Afghans, and U.S. planes dropped leaflets and broadcast messages informing Afghans of the humanitarian assistance.

Though some American allies in the region with radical Muslim factions would like the campaign finished soon, the Pentagon has said from the beginning that it would take time - and more than an air campaign - to get Osama bin Laden.

Bush also said the Sept. 11 attacks clearly "shocked" the U.S. economy, as he lobbied for more tax relief for business and consumers.

Bush is pushing for up to 75 (b) billion (US) dollars in tax cuts to boost consumer demand and business spending.

SHOTLIST

1. Wide of start of hearing

2. Republican senator John Warner of Virginia, meeting chairman, opening hearing

3. Witness table with General George Casey, Senior Coalition Forces Commander, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, General Richard B. Myers, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General John Abizaid, Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander

4. SOUNDBITE (English) General John Abizaid, CENTCOM Commander:

"Importantly, this enemy seeks to acquire weapons of mass destruction and will certainly use such weapons if they obtain them. They experimented with anthrax in Afghanistan, they tried to develop crude chemical weapons in Afghanistan. They're always talking about how they might develop a radiological dispersal device. If they could buy or acquire a nuclear weapon, they would. This not my guess, this is what they say."

5. Senator Warner listening

6. Witness table

7. SOUNDBITE (English) General George Casey, Senior Coalition Forces Commander (audio partly overlaid with cutaways)

"Today we expect to have 60 to 70 thousand more Iraqi security forces available for referendum security than we had in the January elections. By the elections in December we expect that to rise to about one hundred thousand more Iraqi security forces available for election security. As a result, I only asked for two thousand additional forces to help us with this year's election process as compared to twelve thousand that I asked for for the January's election process."

8. Witness table

9. Wide of witness table

10. Senators Levin and Warner at committee table

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Carl Levin, Democratic Senator, Michigan:

"Are you projecting now on any assumptions you want to make that there will be a draw-down (reduction) of any American forces starting next spring. Are you making that projection at this time?"

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) General George Casey, Senior Coalition Forces Commander:

"As I said, Senator, reductions in coalition forces, condition based reductions of coalition forces, is a critical element of our strategy. And we certainly do look to do that over the course of next year."

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Carl Levin, Senator, Michigan:

"And, are you projecting that those conditions would exist next spring as of this time?"

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) General George Casey, Senior Coalition Forces Commander:

"Senator, the next 75 days are going to be critical, in what happens after that. And so I'd like to wait until we get through this political process here to give you a better assessment of that."

15. Democratic senator Edward Kennedy

16. Republican senator John McCain

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald H. Rumsfeld US, Secretary of Defence: (audio partly overlaid with cutaways):

"The economic, political and security all have to go forward together. And, to the extent there's a failure on the economic or political side, it makes the security situation in an insurgency environment more difficult. That means, there isn't an answer to your question (about the readiness level of the Iraqi security forces for a "fairly substantial" pullout of US troops) where you could say 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent. I don't believe."

17. Wide of hearing room from the back

STORYLINE:

Senior US military chiefs appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday to defend the ongoing US presence in Iraq, in the face of diminishing support in the US Senate.

General John Abizaid, the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) detailed Al-Qaida plans for the Middle East, including the takeover of Saudi Arabia and the establishment of a "kalifate" (Islamic territory) from Afghanistan to Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Abizaid warned lawmakers that Al-Qaida is the main enemy to peace and stability in the Middle East and the terrorist group is seeking to acquire, and use, weapons of mass destruction there.

US troops could begin coming home from Iraq next year, but it depends on conditions during and after the upcoming elections there, the top US commander in Iraq told Congress on Thursday.

The remarks by General George Casey, Senior Coalition Forces Commander, represented a softening of his earlier assessment that a "fairly substantial" pullout could begin next spring and summer.

Casey said the result of the upcoming Iraqi referendum on a new constitution on October 15 and December elections will affect whether conditions on the ground will be appropriate for withdrawing US troops.

Casey, the most senior commander of coalition forces in Iraq, and General John Abizaid, the commander of US Central Command, were testifying before the Senate and House Armed Services committees.

Casey said the insurgents will try to affect the political process in the coming weeks but he said they would not win.

By the December elections, he said, the number of Iraqi security forces available will rise to 100,000, allowing the United States to ask for only 2,000 more US troops compared with the 12,000 extra needed during last January's elections.

While the Bush administration has refused to set a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops, Casey has repeatedly said a "fairly substantial" pullout could begin next spring and summer as long as the political process stayed on track, the insurgency did not expand and the training of Iraqi security forces continued as planned.

Also testifying was US Defence Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and General Richard B. Myers, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Rumsfeld said it is impossible to separate political and economic stability from the security situation in Iraq, saying they must "go forward together".

In response to a question about the readiness level of the Iraqi security forces for a possible substantial pullout of US troops, Rumsfeld told the committee that the figures look good, but that there are intangible elements that impact their overall readiness.

President Bush sent the group to Capitol Hill for back-to-back House and Senate hearings to try to convince lawmakers, and their sceptical constituents, that the United States is making progress in the war despite slipping support at home.

SHOTLIST:

APTN

1. Police cars outside Senate office buildings

2. Pan of Dirksen Senate office building

3. Close shot of sign on Dirksen building reading "Senate Offices Closed"

4. Police cars drive by the Senate office buildings

POOL

5. Wide shot of Senate floor

APTN

6. Wide shot press conference

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bill Frist (Republican from Tennessee) Senate Majority Leader:

"How active ? because people say is it active or not - preliminary tests are that it is active, how active we don't know, at this juncture. In terms of the size, shape, aerosolisation (if it can become airbourne), how sticky it is, additives, all that will come back over weeks."

8. Journalists at press conference

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bill Frist (Republican from Tennessee) Senate Majority Leader:

"We generally are very comfortable that everybody has been identified who was at risk and that the proper procedures were carried throughout. So, there's been no concern expressed that there are other people who might be involved."

10. Empty Senate hallways, shot through Dirksen front door, pull out to sign on door reading "Senate Offices Closed"

11. Set-up shot of David Heyman

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Heyman, Bioterror Expert:

"Ricin is not the most optimal agent for mass casualties. It's very good for specific targeted attacks against individuals, frankly. But to do damage on a mass casualty level, it's not at all an optimal agent. So I didn't think al-Qaida, or we're in for another big attack. But it is terrorising."

13. Dirksen office building sign

14. Exterior of Dirksen office building

15. Police officer talking to Senate staffers outside building

16. SOUNDBITE (English) David Heyman, Bioterror Expert:

"I suspect that it wasn't very well refined and so it probably didn't disperse around the atmosphere. It's quite likely that what we're learning here is that this was a crude attempt to scare Senator Frist, folks in Congress, perhaps even shut it down and get some attention, but unless we hear of other similar kinds of attacks, I think it's probably just a criminal act and not a terrorist attack."

POOL

17. Interior Senate

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) US Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, Democrat - South Dakota

"Terrorist attacks, criminal acts of this kind, will not stop the work of the Senate or the Congress because we have important work to be done."

APTN

19. Various of police cars outside Senate buildings

STORYLINE:

A white powder found in US Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's office on Tuesday tested as the deadly poison ricin, forcing cancellation of most US Senate business in the second such scare from a lethal toxin to hit the US capital.

Between 40 and 50 Capitol employees were quarantined briefly and decontaminated, said Senate aides who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The number is considerably more than originally thought.

Although more tests were being conducted, Frist said he was positive the substance was ricin and officials of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said several of their tests identified it as ricin.

They said they were awaiting the results of additional confirmatory testing.

At the Senate office buildings, entrances were locked and many staffers were said to be working from home.

Capitol office buildings were eerily quiet, underscoring the sense that the area has essentially been under a terrorism threat since the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Senate leaders made a show of conducting business as usual on Tuesday, but canceled all votes that had been scheduled for the day.

As the Senate went into session, Senator Frist told his colleagues the ricin was certainly criminal in nature.

Bioterror expert David Heyman said ricin is not an most optimal agent for producing mass casualties, and he did not believe the incident is linked to al-Qaida or another foreign terror group.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, who had the deadly anthrax letters mailed to his office in 2001, said regardless of who is responsible, it was "an act of terrorism."

Officials said they were somewhat reassured by early afternoon on Tuesday because none of the people who were quarantined and decontaminated turned up sick.

President George W. Bush was briefed on the situation, and the administration established an interagency team to investigate what Frist told colleagues was a chilling crime.

A federal law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no threatening letter or note linked to the powder has been found.

SHOTLIST:

POOL

1. Wide view of House floor

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dennis Hastert (Republican, Illinois), Speaker of the House of Representatives

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Congress, I'd like to tell you at this time and for the information of all Members I am in receipt of a report from the President pursuant to the use of force resolution approved by the Congress last year. This report summarizes diplomatic and other peaceful means pursued by the United States cooperating with foreign countries and international organisations to obtain Iraqi compliance with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dennis Hastert (Republican, Illinois), Speaker of the House of Representatives

"This is not a declaration that we are in any specific type of activity at this time. It is only the pursuit of the statute that was passed last year. Any further announcements will be shared with the Congress."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Representative Sam Johnson, (Republican,Texas)

"You know all eyes are on Iraq. Saddam has failed to provide credible evidence to back his bogus claims that he can completely disarm. Saddam won't tell us about his 26-thousand litres of anthrax, 36-thousand litres of dangerous toxins, 500-tons of sarin gas, mustard gas and VX nerve agents. Enough to kill millions of people. Saddam repeatedly declared he does not have any chemical or biological weapons. Yet he just released them to his men for use against our troops."

7. Side view Tubbs Jones walking to microphone

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Stephanie Tubbs Jones, (Democrat, Ohio)

"On Saturday I had the opportunity to participate in a peace rally at public square in the city of Cleveland and I talked about patriotism. I talked about all those teachers in my high school and college years who said to me, understand the bill of rights, understand you have the right to protest, understand you have the right to assemble and understand you have a right to free speech. And my free speech allows me to say to the entire world, to the troops all over this country and all over the world, I support you ... I am patriotic. To the whole world, I still like peace. I want peace and I am opposed to the war in Iraq."

9. Wide view Pence at microphone

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Representative Mike Pence (Republican, Indiana)

"Mr Speaker today is a solemn day. History awaits America tonight. And while I would never question the patriotism of anyone who would challenge the policy of US exercising their First Amendment Rights on this floor or in this nation, I will challenge the wisdom of those who say that we are come upon this moment because of diplomatic failure, we are come upon this moment because of a failure on the part of the president to lead the world towards consensus. Let us be clear Mr Speaker, the President did not fail, diplomacy did not fail, the United Nations failed."

APTN

11. Close-up police car parked outside Capitol building

12. Mid view of security

STORYLINE:

War against Iraq will be as short as possible but Americans must be prepared for loss of life, the White House warned on Wednesday as the deadline neared for Saddam Hussein to flee.

The White House sent Congress formal notification of justification for war on Tuesday night and released details on Wednesday of a letter and report that, in compliance with a war resolution approved by lawmakers last year, outlined President Bush's rationale for military conflict.

The presidential letter said the Constitution gives the president authority to "take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001."

On Capitol Hill on Wednesday members of Congress were officially informed of the the failure of diplomacy to reach a resolution in Iraq.

The Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert said the letter from the White House did not indicate war is about to begin.

Republicans on the House floor condemned Saddam Hussein and supported President Bush's handling of the crisis.

Democrat Stephanie Tubbs Jones defended attending a peace rally over the weekend, saying protesting the war did not mean she did not support U-S troops.

SHOTLIST:

APTN

1. US Secretary of State Colin Powell with officials walking along corridor

2. US Senate Budget Committee hearing in progress

POOL

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"Dr Blix and Dr Elbaradei have now returned from Iraq, their weekend trip, and they'll be reporting to the (Security) Council this Friday. We anxiously await their report. There are some on the Security Council, some in the international community who are saying we just need more monitors, well Dr Blix dealt with that yesterday when asked about it - Dr Blix said, not Colin Powell, not President Bush - Dr Blix said we don't need more monitors or inspectors, we need Iraq's compliance and cooperation - that's the issue, not more inspectors."

APTN

4. Audience listening

POOL

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"But it is clear and the moment of truth is coming with respect to Iraq and with respect to the Security Council as to whether it will meet its responsibilities - this is not just an academic exercise or the United States being in a fit of pique, we're talking about real weapons, we're talking about anthrax, we're talking about botuline toxin, we're talking about nuclear weapons programmes, we're talking about chemically filled bombs that are missing, unaccounted for, that Iraq has not accounted for."

APTN

6. Rear view of Powell speaking pan to photographers

POOL

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"The US will not look away from this challenge and guess what, nor will many of our friends and allies who perhaps being heard quite as vigorously as other friends and allies?"

APTN

9. Wide view of Powell speaking

POOL

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"Much is being said this morning about disagreement in NATO as to whether or not our Turkish friends , our ally, our Turkish NATO colleague should be given support, in this time of danger and three of the European nations in NATO are saying let's not do it at this time, but 16 nations are saying we should do it. We're hearing a lot about the three, but remember 16 nations who include of course Turkey and the US have stood up for Turkey. Turkey has now said under Article Four to the Alliance 'We want to consult with you as to what our needs might be'. I think this is time for the Alliance to say to a fellow Alliance-member 'We agree with you, you are concerned, we are concerned.' That's what alliances are all about and I hope NATO will be doing the right thing with respect to Turkey within the next 24 hours"

APTN

11. Hearing in progress

POOL

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"This morning it was brought home to me again when I read the transcript of what Bin Laden or who we believe to be Bin Laden will be saying on Al-Jazeera during the course of the day. You will be seeing this as the day unfolds. Once again he speaks to the people of Iraq and talks about their struggle and how he is in partnership with Iraq. This nexus between terrorism and state developing weapons of mass destruction can no longer be looked away from and ignored."

13. Wideshot hearing room.

STORYLINE:

US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Tuesday urged NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) to provide military support to help Turkey defend itself in the event of a possible US-led war with Iraq.

"This is time for the alliance to say to a fellow alliance member, 'We agree with you, and if you are concerned, we are concerned.' That's what alliances are all about," Powell said at a testimony to the US Senate Budget Committee.

Powell said Friday's report of the UN weapons inspectors to the United Nations Security Council would be a critical test for both Iraq and for the Security Council itself. Powell said he hoped the Security Council would meet its responsibilities in the current crisis.

The US Secretary of State cited comments by Dr Hans Blix that more inspectors were not the answer to the problem of verification in Iraq. He defended the US position as not being one of pique, but about real weapons that have not been accounted for by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

During his testimony, Powell also told the Senate panel that what appears to be a new statement from Osama bin Laden shows why the world needs to be concerned about Iraqi ties to terrorism.

Powell said he read a transcript of an alleged Bin laden statement, supposedly due to be aired on the Al-Jazeera Arab satellite station later on Tuesday, where once again he expressed support for the people of Iraq.

Powell said the 'nexus between terrorism and states developing weapons of mass destruction' could no longer be ignored.

The Secretary of State said the US, as well as many of its allies, would not look away from the coming challenge.

The split between the United States and its allies widened when France, Germany and Belgium jointly vetoed on Monday a US-backed measure to authorise NATO to make plans to protect Turkey if Iraq attacks it. Russia then joined France and Germany in demanding strengthened weapons inspections.

Powell made the remarks as NATO ambassadors met for an emergency session on Tuesday to negotiate whether the alliance should provide military assistance to Turkey, a member of the treaty organisation.

France, Germany and Belgium on Monday blocked the 19-member alliance from providing such assistance.

SHOTLIST:

APTN

1. US Secretary of State Colin Powell walks out with Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham

2. Cutaway of reporters

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, US Secretary of State:

"I do know that Canada will do, just as the minister has said and as the Prime Minister has said, over the weeks and months study this very carefully, recognise the significance and importance of this issue. I think Canada is committed to the disarmament of Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. We all hope it can be done with the full support of the international community and we'll stay in close touch in the weeks ahead to make sure that we have a complete understanding of each other's views."

4. Cutaway Graham

5. Cutaway two shot

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bill Graham, Canadian Foreign Minister:

"I think what the secretary told me was that he intends to make a persuasive case that Iraq must be compelled to disarm. And Iraq has to understand that if it does not disarm there will be consequences for its failure to disarm. Dr Blix told us the other day that he's not satisfied with Iraq's progress on disarmament, and its willingness to step up and disarm. We are watching that and we support the secretary. We believe that Iraq has to know, from the world community, that it must disarm. We agree with that. We will watch what he has to say about the progress. But, we all agree that if Iraq fails to disarm the United Nations will have to take responsibility to make sure that resolution 1441 is enforced."

7. Wide shot Powell walking away

8. Cutaway reporters and photographers

9. Graham walking away

POOL

10. Wide shot of Conservative Political Action Committee Convention

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dick Cheney, US Vice-President:

"Unfortunately the declaration that Iraq made to the United Nations last month about its weapons and missiles programme clearly demonstrates that Saddam has absolutely no intention of complying with the world's demands. Some time ago the UN confirmed it has sufficient material to produce over 25,000 litres of anthrax, more than 38,000 litres of botulinium toxin and as much as 500 tonnes of Sarin and mustard gas and VX nerve agents. We know he had about 30,000 munitions capable of delivering chemical weapons and several mobile biological weapons laboratories designed to produce germ warfare agents on the move. And Saddam Hussein has never accounted for nor destroyed these instruments of terror."

12. Cutaway wide of audience

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dick Cheney, US Vice-President:

"It would take just one vial, one cannister, one crate to bring a day of horror to our nation unlike any we have ever seen. That is why confronting the threat posed by Iraq is not a distraction from the war on terror, it is absolutely crucial to winning the war on terror. "

14. Wide shot audience

STORYLINE:

US Secretary of State Colin Powell met with Canadian Foreign Ministers Bill Graham for talks on Wednesday as the Americans continued to put forward their case for disarming Iraq.

At a brief news conference following the meeting, Powell said he was sure America's northern neigbour was committed to the disarmament issue and that the two countries would remain in close contact over the coming weeks.

Graham added the United Nations needed to make sure that resolution 1441 was enforced should Iraq fail to disarm peacefully.

Asked about whether Canada would join the United States if the Bush administration decides not to wait for the United Nations, both men said there was a need for multinational action to disarm Saddam.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Washington, Vice President Dick Cheney continued to press the case as he addressed the annual convention of the Conservative Political Action Committee.

Cheney presented a list of Iraqi chemicals and weapons that the inspectors are aware of from the last round of inspections which ended in 1998. But he said that Baghdad has not provided evidence that the weapons have been destroyed.

He said that confronting the threat posed by Iraq was crucial to winning the war on terror.

The Bush administration is currently combing intelligence data for details Powell could release to support its accusations that Iraq has a secret weapons programs and links to terrorist groups when he appears next week before a public UN session.

The administration says it is is working to find a way to release such information without compromising US intelligence sources.

NB: no slate at the start of story