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CNN Live At Daybreak

Bush's U.N. Speech Draws Positive Reaction from Russia

Aired September 13, 2002 - 06:32   ET

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


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush's speech before the United Nations drew a positive reaction from Russia. While it supports resuming weapons inspections in Iraq, Russia has opposed the use of military force. Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry says it agrees that a joint fight against terrorism is needed, but adds there is still the possibility for achieving a solution by political means.
For more on that, we want to go live to Moscow and talk to bureau chief, Jill Dougherty.

Good morning -- Jill.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.

Well, the United States has been holding intensive consultations with Russia on the issue of Iraq. In fact, the undersecretary of state, John Bolton, who happens to be here in Moscow says that he believes that the United States in the U.N. will be raising the issue of a military operation against Iraq. And as you know, Russia's voice is crucial. It is a member of the U.N. Security Council, and so not only its voice, but its vote is very important.

Russia also did officially react to the speech by President Bush yesterday, saying, we agree with President Bush that we have to have a decisive joint effort to fight international terrorism. And they did add, however, that the central role in that has to be held by the United Nations. That's something that Russia has been saying many times. They do not want any unilateral action by the United States.

Also, Russia says that they believe that political and diplomatic efforts are not exhausted in this matter. And all of this is really an attempt now to form whatever resolution the United Nations is going to be putting out, and the wording in that is really crucial.

Russia has, up until now, said that it does not believe that any military action is the way to go. However, there are a number of observers here in Moscow who do believe that under certain circumstances Russia could, indeed, support a resolution by the United Nations that includes a threat of military action -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Jill Dougherty reporting live from Moscow this morning.

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