DATE=9/5/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / RUMSFELD (S)

NUMBER=2-307191

BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has flown to Iraq's northern town of Mosul Friday after paying a visit to U-S troops in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Baghdad that the visit comes as gunmen opened fire on worshippers at a Sunni mosque in the capital, wounding three people.

TEXT: In Tikrit, Secretary Rumsfeld thanked American soldiers for their sacrifices, saying he knows times have been difficult. But he said their efforts to rebuild the country are succeeding.

Mr. Rumsfeld arrived in Iraq Thursday, saying he wanted additional Iraqi or international troops deployed in the country, rather than additional U-S troops. Senior U-S commander Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez said he would need an additional division to guard Iraqi borders and counter terrorist attacks.

Tensions remain high one week after the bomb attack on the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf killed a top leader and more than 80 followers.

Gunmen riding in a truck Friday fired on worshippers at a mosque in northern Baghdad. The mosque's prayer leader, Walid al-Azawi, says three people were slightly wounded.

///AL-AZAWI ACT IN ARABIC WITH SOUND OF PRAYER///

Imam Walid says the attack was meant to create divisions between Muslims, but adds that it would not succeed. (signed)

NEB/SB/MAR/FC