IRAQI MILITARY REMAINS FUNCTIONING

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Iraq's military, in contrast to U.S. intelligenceassessments, has remained intact and continues to battle allied forces. U.S. officials said the regime of President Saddam Hussein has managedto maintain its defenses, particularly in the Baghdad area, amid heavyalliedair strikes. The officials said Iraqi anti-aircraft batteries are performingbetter than expected against U.S. and British fighter-jets over the Iraqicapital.