Mr. Bremer made his comments at a briefing for Pentagon reporters.

He singled out his Pentagon reporter, Fred Francis.

Hours later, CNN reported their Pentagon reporters had determined that the assault had not, in fact, begun.

Fred Francis, NBC's Pentagon reporter, was first with many early details of the fighting.

"We are now two weeks and one day into this operation," General Shalikashvili told Pentagon reporters.

She had been sent because of the "human interest" in the current hostage crisis and wasn't a regular Pentagon reporter.

"It's going to be tough," the regular Pentagon reporter replied.

President Bush also was asked at his news conference today about the lack of Pentagon reporters on the scene, and replied: "That decision didn't come to me.

The Pentagon informed reporters that the three men had seen "nothing more than stars and planets twinkling...owing to a temperature inversion."

Reston had spiked the Pentagon reporter's story because it conflicted with his perceptions.

Mr. Bremer made his comments at a briefing for Pentagon reporters.

He singled out his Pentagon reporter, Fred Francis.

Hours later, CNN reported their Pentagon reporters had determined that the assault had not, in fact, begun.

Fred Francis, NBC's Pentagon reporter, was first with many early details of the fighting.

"We are now two weeks and one day into this operation," General Shalikashvili told Pentagon reporters.

She had been sent because of the "human interest" in the current hostage crisis and wasn't a regular Pentagon reporter.

"It's going to be tough," the regular Pentagon reporter replied.

President Bush also was asked at his news conference today about the lack of Pentagon reporters on the scene, and replied: "That decision didn't come to me.

"Our Pentagon reporters were working at full capacity on stories relating to the 'surge' in Iraq and the allegations of Iranian meddling there," he wrote.

The Pentagon informed reporters that the three men had seen "nothing more than stars and planets twinkling...owing to a temperature inversion."