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CNN Live Today

White House Unconcerned by Iraqi Threats

Aired August 08, 2002 - 13:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A defiant Saddam Hussein issued a blunt warning to the United States today, in a speech marking the anniversary of the end of the Iraq-Iran war. Referring to the U.S. and Britain as "the forces of evil," Hussein said Iraq is ready to repel any attack, and that any assault on his country is doomed in failure.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SADDAM HUSSEIN, PRESIDENT OF IRAQ (through translator): ... but I say it in such clear terms, so that no weakling will imagine that when we are not responding to ill talk, then this means that we are frightened by the impudent threats which will make those who have lost all ties with God the compassionate, and all trust in their people, tremble and shiver, so that no greedy tyrant will be misled into an action of consequences of which are beyond their calculations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The threat was an obvious response to tough talk in Washington on the possibility of an Iraqi attack.

Let's turn to CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux in Crawford, Texas on the president's reaction to Hussein's comments -- is he in any way blinking?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, no. The administration really isn't blinking. The president is spending a low-profile day at his Crawford ranch, but he is being briefed by his national security team. He is keeping a close eye on developments in Iraq as well as the Middle East, but the White House making it very clear this morning that Saddam Hussein's words to the Iraqi people mean absolutely nothing to the Bush administration.

National Security Council spokesperson Sean McCormack telling us just moments ago -- and I am quoting here -- "That Iraq must fulfill its obligations. That is, to rid the country of weapons of mass destruction."

Another senior administration official saying -- quote -- "We have seen it all before, there is nothing new."

The White House strategy has been consistent. It was just last week that it dismissed an invitation by Iraqi officials to allow U.N. to come in and resume talks of weapons inspections. Another invitation to U.S. members of Congress to come and take a look for themselves. U.S. policy has remained the same. Officials saying that is a regime change, the ousting of Saddam Hussein. This may mean military might. It was just yesterday that the president and the vice president, what some people saw, toning down the unilateralist approach, saying that they would consult U.S. allies as well as members of Congress before any action was taken again Saddam Hussein. One senior administration official taking issue with that particular characterization, saying that all along, we have widened the net, that we're asking for consultation, working with our allies, before we take action -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Suzanne. Let's talk about what's going on back in the nation's capital of Washington. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell and other advisers of the president, right?

MALVEAUX: Well, right. As a matter of fact, one of those meetings just wrapped up. It was National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. She met with Erakat, as well as the ministers of interior and the economy.

It was about a meeting long or so. We got a readout of that meeting. We were told by Sean McCormack of the National Security Council that Arafat was actually not mentioned in this meeting. They really dodged that hot potato. The U.S. position, of course, is that the U.S. will not be dealing with him in the process of negotiating for peace. That did not come up, but rather what did come up was the need for humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, as well as reform, educational reform, constitutional reform, elections, as well as security. Security being the most important aspect of this, that that has to be reformed, and, of course, peace on the ground before anything can move forward.

WHITFIELD: All right, Suzanne Malveaux. Thank you very much, from Crawford, Texas while the president is enjoying a working vacation there.

MALVEAUX: Sure.

WHITFIELD: Thank you.

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