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CNN Live Today

Building the Case Against Saddam

Aired September 06, 2002 - 12:06   ET

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


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now to President Bush's attempt to sell the U.N. Security Council, or at least its veto-wielding permanent members on regime change in Baghdad, Mr. Bush was on the phone today with the presidents of Russia, China and France.
CNN's Kelly Wallace joins us from the White House with details.

Kelly, how did those phone calls go.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kelly, the White House would say they went well, no surprise there. But if the president wanted to soften any opposition to any possible military campaign in Iraq, he failed to do so.

The importance of these calls -- the president, again, bright and early this morning, 7:15 a.m., on the phone with, as you said, leaders of France, China and Russia, the importance of these calls, these countries all could veto any Security Council resolution in the United Nations. All these countries also have been very critical and concerned about any military actions.

So White House officials say the president told these leaders, he values their opinions, that he believes Saddam Hussein is a threat, but that he also has not made any decisions about next steps. Ari Fleischer, the president's spokesman, would not talk about what world leaders told the president. He did concede though these leaders have views of their own, saying this is the start of the consultation process.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: The purpose of the call was to begin this process of collaboration, to do exactly what the world would expect and exactly what the world deserves, which is a free exchange of information, discussion about the consequence and the risks, and this is the beginning of a process.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Fleischer said the president also told the leaders he would be sending U.S. officials to each country, following his speech next week to the United Nations general assembly, and, Kyra you know, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, the president will meet with him Monday in Detroit, and then tomorrow, the president hosting British Prime Minister Tony Blair, at Camp David. Britain, so far, the only country really voicing support for the president's actions so far -- Kyra. PHILLIPS: Kelly, any sense the Bush administration has softened its opposition?

WALLACE: No sense, really.

Again, Britain so far the only U.S. ally coming out and strongly endorsing regime change in Iraq, even the possibility of military action. These other countries saying they are skeptical. You have allies such as Germany strongly against any military campaign, so it really shows an uphill battle this president will have, if he decides to pursue any military action to topple the Iraqi leader -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Kelly Wallace, live at the White House.

Kelly, thanks

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