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Bush Met with Congressional Leaders Over Breakfast
Aired September 18, 2002 - 10:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking bread and bracing for war at the White House in Washington this morning, President Bush hosted a breakfast meeting of Congressional leaders to discuss Iraq and possible military action against Saddam Hussein.
Our White House correspondent, Kelly Wallace, checks in now. She has got more on that for us -- good morning, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon. Well, President Bush really now working, trying to keep pressure on in the Congress, and in the United Nations. He seems to be enjoying more progress, at least at the moment in the Congress, because at that morning meeting with Congressional leaders, President Bush announced he has a definite commitment from lawmakers that there will be a vote in both Houses of Congress before lawmakers recess for the November elections on a resolution that would basically give him the authority to use whatever means necessary to deal with the Iraqi leader.
But at that meeting, the president was also asked how Saddam Hussein's latest offer to allow weapons inspectors back inside the country, how that might complicate his goal of getting a tough new U.N. Security Council Resolution.
The president said he would not be deterred, and that the facts are on his side.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The fact that time and time again, dozens of times, he has told the world, Oh, I will comply, and he never does. That the nations which long for peace and care about the validity of the United Nations will join us. So we are going to work hard to continue to make the case. I think reasonable people understand this man is unreasonable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: But the administration really facing a huge diplomatic challenge now, because you have countries such as Russia, China, even Arab nations saying that with Saddam Hussein saying he will allow weapons inspectors back in, there is not really the need for a tough new U.N. Security Council resolution, spelling out the consequences the Iraqi leader could face if he chooses not to disarm.
So, a big challenge ahead for the White House. The president, though, again getting more support in the Congress. There was a time when Democrats had said perhaps they would wait to vote on a resolution until the U.N. took some action. Now, that is not the case. Both Democrats and Republicans strongly behind the president, and say they will give him a resolution very soon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D), MISSOURI: We are in a situation where we need strong, bipartisan support in the United States to try to deal with these problems. I have said many times Saddam Hussein and Iraq presents a problem, not only to us, but to other countries in the world. We live in a world of terrorists and terrorism, and our concern is that weapons of mass destruction wind up in the hands of terrorists. Our highest responsibility is to make sure a weapon of mass destruction is not used here or anywhere.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: Meantime, the diplomacy continues. The president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, just arrived. He will be meeting with President Bush in the Oval Office. He is someone that believes Saddam Hussein must be dealt with, but he also believes any action should have international support, and that the U.S. should not go it alone -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right. The debate goes on. Kelly Wallace at the White House. Thanks, Kelly.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 18, 2002 - 10:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking bread and bracing for war at the White House in Washington this morning, President Bush hosted a breakfast meeting of Congressional leaders to discuss Iraq and possible military action against Saddam Hussein.
Our White House correspondent, Kelly Wallace, checks in now. She has got more on that for us -- good morning, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon. Well, President Bush really now working, trying to keep pressure on in the Congress, and in the United Nations. He seems to be enjoying more progress, at least at the moment in the Congress, because at that morning meeting with Congressional leaders, President Bush announced he has a definite commitment from lawmakers that there will be a vote in both Houses of Congress before lawmakers recess for the November elections on a resolution that would basically give him the authority to use whatever means necessary to deal with the Iraqi leader.
But at that meeting, the president was also asked how Saddam Hussein's latest offer to allow weapons inspectors back inside the country, how that might complicate his goal of getting a tough new U.N. Security Council Resolution.
The president said he would not be deterred, and that the facts are on his side.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The fact that time and time again, dozens of times, he has told the world, Oh, I will comply, and he never does. That the nations which long for peace and care about the validity of the United Nations will join us. So we are going to work hard to continue to make the case. I think reasonable people understand this man is unreasonable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: But the administration really facing a huge diplomatic challenge now, because you have countries such as Russia, China, even Arab nations saying that with Saddam Hussein saying he will allow weapons inspectors back in, there is not really the need for a tough new U.N. Security Council resolution, spelling out the consequences the Iraqi leader could face if he chooses not to disarm.
So, a big challenge ahead for the White House. The president, though, again getting more support in the Congress. There was a time when Democrats had said perhaps they would wait to vote on a resolution until the U.N. took some action. Now, that is not the case. Both Democrats and Republicans strongly behind the president, and say they will give him a resolution very soon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D), MISSOURI: We are in a situation where we need strong, bipartisan support in the United States to try to deal with these problems. I have said many times Saddam Hussein and Iraq presents a problem, not only to us, but to other countries in the world. We live in a world of terrorists and terrorism, and our concern is that weapons of mass destruction wind up in the hands of terrorists. Our highest responsibility is to make sure a weapon of mass destruction is not used here or anywhere.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: Meantime, the diplomacy continues. The president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, just arrived. He will be meeting with President Bush in the Oval Office. He is someone that believes Saddam Hussein must be dealt with, but he also believes any action should have international support, and that the U.S. should not go it alone -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right. The debate goes on. Kelly Wallace at the White House. Thanks, Kelly.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
