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Bush Back in D.C. Following Africa Talks

Aired September 13, 2002 - 13:05   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is back in Washington following meetings in New York this morning with African leaders. Prior to those meetings, the president talked about Iraq and the case he made yesterday to the UN
Our White House correspondent Kelly Wallace is live from there to tell us more.

Hi -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

Well, the tough talk continues from this administration one day after President Bush issued a challenge to the United Nations, deal with Saddam Hussein or the U.S. will. The president making clear he wants to see action very, very soon.

Now, the president arrived back at the White House a little bit earlier on this day, after spending a couple of days meeting with international leaders at the United Nations General Assembly. Before leaving, the president said he was highly doubtful that Saddam Hussein would comply with UN demands to disarm, and he said work is under way, as we know, on a new UN Security Council resolution.

The president did not issue any deadlines in his speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, but Mr. Bush making it clear he believes now, the clock is ticking.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: There will be deadlines within the resolution. Our chief negotiator for the United States, our secretary of state, understands that we must have deadlines, and we're talking days and weeks, not months and years. And that's essential for the security of the world. This man has had 11 years to comply, and for 11 long years, he has ignored world opinion. And he has put the credibility of the United Nations on line.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: The president also calling on Congress, the House and the Senate, to pass resolutions before lawmakers leave for the mid- term elections in November. Some Democrats had expressed concern about that, and had said that perhaps the world or the Congress should wait until the UN passes its resolution before lawmakers get into this. The president making it clear he believes lawmakers have a responsibility to get involved now and vote very, very soon.

You also have Iraq speaking out. The Iraqi foreign minister, Tariq Aziz, in an interview, rejecting the unconditional return of UN weapons inspectors inside Iraq, saying the U.S. would still go forward with military plans against Saddam Hussein. To that, White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer telling reporters, "This shows that Iraq has something to hide."

Kyra -- back to you.

PHILLIPS: Kelly, meanwhile, the president doesn't need approval from the UN, correct? And he has made it clear that he will go at this alone.

WALLACE: He has made that clear, but clearly, though, Kyra, he is challenging the United Nations to act. And it's very key, getting the support of countries, as you noted -- France, China and Russia -- all countries that could veto any UN Security Council resolution.

So, the goal right now: Get the support of those countries, get a resolution passed, see if Saddam Hussein allows weapons inspectors back inside the country. As you heard the president, he is highly doubtful that will happen. And then, is key, what is the wording going to be in any resolution which would authorize the U.S. or other countries to go ahead and take action, possibly military force, if Saddam Hussein does not comply -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Kelly Wallace at the White House -- thank you, Kelly.

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