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U.S. Seeks New U.N. Resolution on Iraq
Aired September 18, 2002 - 11:10 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: Iraq has decided to issue a letter saying that it will allow inspectors to return, as it says, unconditionally, and that has hobbled the president's war drive at home, as well as in the U.N.
Already, important Security Council members Russia, France and China are now questioning the need for a new U.N. action on Iraq. Iraq experts say this is just what Saddam Hussein wanted.
CNN's Rula Amin is standing by live now in Baghdad to talk more about Iraq's strategy.
Hello, Rula.
RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning Leon.
First, let me tell you what you are hearing behind me is the call to prayers coming from that mosque. Five times a day, Muslims are required to pray, and every time, someone in the mosque will have to call on them. This is what you are hearing behind me.
Back to Iraq. Less than 38 hours after the compromise, the way Iraqis see it, they are already seeing gains, this compromise is already paying off from them. they are hearing from members of the Security Council, like France, like Russia, saying that Iraq should be tested for its words and should be challenged.
Iraqis are saying they are willing to cooperate with the inspectors, and now France and Russia are saying, well, let's go ahead, and send the inspectors in. If the Iraqis allow them to go in and inspect, well, that's good. Maybe there is no need anymore for a new U.N. resolution.
Now this is gains the U.S. was trying very hard to get the United Nations Security Council to issue a new resolution that is tougher on Iraq, more demands, and with an ultimatum.
So at this point, the Iraqis are pretty satisfied with the compromise that they made. They feel it's already winning them more support among crucial members on the Security Council -- Leon.
HARRIS: Well, Rula, as you may know, and do know, no doubt, the Arab League, no doubt, the Arab League played a big role in getting Saddam Hussein to issue this letter committing now to allowing these inspectors back in unconditionally, as he said.
Is there any sense at all that the message that came from the Arab League was actually fully received, because the message said not only to actually commit to these inspections, but also to quit the games that were played in the past, about this cat and mouse game of moving things in the country, and hide and resisting the will of the U.N. inspections. Any sense at all that message has gotten through?
AMIN: It seems that that message did get through. The Iraqi compromise came really quick, quicker than any would have anticipated. Many diplomats here and Arab analysts say that Iraq made compromise at the end, but they didn't think that the regime here would act quickly. They acted very quickly, circumventing U.S. efforts to try to push the U.N. to issue another resolution. There is a lot of pressure on Iraq from the Arab countries, from friendly countries like Russia, like France, like China. All of these countries Iraq needs their support, and they made it clear for Iraq that they are trying to oppose this war, they are making their voice heard in Washington, but if the Security Council issues a resolution, they have to abide for it, and they also made it clear for Iraq, that if the U.S. decides to wage a war against this country, it is going to be devastation here, and a change in the regime.
And so the regime, as analysts say, they have acted smartly, and that there are gaining -- they are achieving accomplishments -- Leon.
HARRIS: Rula, let me ask you one final question, any evidence at all, have you been able to sense whether there's been a change in the sentiments of people in the street on this?
AMIN: People in the street are relieved. They think, for now at least, there will be no military showdown, but many of them are skeptical. They are skeptical, because of the history of the relationship between the inspectors and Iraq. There has been a lot of crisis before between both, and they know that this time, if the inspectors come and there is a problem, there is going to be war.
At the same time, they are skeptical of the U.S. intentions. Many here believe that the U.S. is actually after Iraq's oil, that they want to invade this country to control its oil. So they think that the U.S. is using the weapons inspectors as a pretext, and that at one point, there will be another excuse, and war is imminent.
So many of them are skeptical. However, they are really, really relieved -- Leon.
HARRIS: Understood, Rula Amin reporting to us from the evening hours there in Baghdad, Iraq.
Thank you very much, Rula. Talk with you later on.
Now at 14 minutes after the hour in the morning here.
A top administration hawk is explaining to the Congress and the country why the U.S. should tangling with Iraq right now. That is up first on CNN this hour.
Our congressional correspondent Kate Snow is standing by on Capitol Hill this morning, where she has been listening to quite a bit of talk this morning -- Kate.
KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.
Secretary Rumsfeld testifying before the House Armed Services Committee. He went through 24 pages of prepared testimony, a detailed statement making the administration's case for action against Saddam Hussein an even more devastating attack than what happened on September 11th. He said that we could be preventing here tens of thousands of American deaths.
Mr. Rumsfeld's principle argument, that inaction right now is a greater cost than taking action, that it is wiser to take action than to sit in action right now.
Rumsfeld went point by point through many of the criticisms, many of the questions that critics have raised about taking action against Iraq. For example, would an attack on Iraq distract the U.S. from its principle goal of fighting terrorism worldwide. Mr. Rumsfeld says Iraq is part of the war on terror, we can't lose sight of that. The goal, he says, is to stop, again, another 9/11.
Where is the smoking gun, some of the critics have asked? Mr. Rumsfeld said to that, the last thing we want is a smoking gun, that would imply that something has already happened, that a weapon has been used. The goal, he said, is to stop Saddam Hussein before he's able to use any weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Rumsfeld went on to suggest that there is even more evidence at this point against Iraq than there was perhaps prior to 9/11 about those terrorists.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUMSFELD, SECY. OF DEFENSE: If one were to compare the scraps of information that the government had before September 11th to the volumes of information the government has today, about Iraq's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, his use of those weapons, his record of aggression and his consistent hostilities towards the United States, and then factor in our country's demonstration of vulnerability after September 11th, the case that the president made should be clear. If more time passes and the attacks we are concerned about were to come to pass, we would not want to have ignored those warning signs and then be required to explain why we failed to protect our fellow citizens.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Inspection not war!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNOW: This is the scene just as Secretary Rumsfeld began some of his remarks this morning, three women protesting, apparently anti-war protesters. We have not yet been able to determine what group they are with. They are now being detained, the three of them, in a room here on Capitol Hill, the House Armed Citizens Committee staff room. They are being held by U.S. Capitol Police. As soon as we get more information about who they are, we will of course bring to you.
But after that outburst, Rumsfeld very quickly came back and made a bit of a light comment, Leon. He said, look, at least that proves that we have freedom of speech in the United States, something that they don't have in Iraq.
Secretary Rumsfeld, just finally, Leon, encouraging Congress to act. He built on what the president said to leaders this morning. He said that Congress has to send a clear signal, and he said the timing of this. Congress should act, he said, before the United Nations Security Council takes a vote.
Leon, back to you.
HARRIS: I was kind of surprised just to see how long it took the police to get in there and get those protesters out. It seems like they were in there and going at it for quite a while.
SNOW: Well, it was an open public hearing.
HARRIS: OK.
Well, let me ask you this real quickly if I can. In one of the questions that you mention that were posed of the secretary, some of the questions that have been in the press of late. One of the questions that struck me what was, what would happen post-Saddam? What do you make of the answer that you got there, because from listening my perspective, is sounded as though, there really wasn't much a plan in place, and it seemed as if the administration was really only just beginning to begin addressing that issue.
SNOW: Well, but he said, it would have to be addressed. I think his answer was something like, clearly, we have to have a post-Saddam regime. But you are right, that that is something that has been raised repeatedly here on Capitol Hill, particularly by some Democrats, saying that they want more answers about what that kind of post-Saddam Hussein world would look like. It also raises questions about what the congressional resolution is going to look like, Leon.
The secretary today emphasizing the need for regime change. That word, that phrase "regime change" to be part of the resolution passed by the Congress. Just yesterday, Senator John McCain for one was saying that that would be included in a resolution from Congress, and that would be part of the language, that is still very much being debated here on Capitol Hill -- Leon.
HARRIS: You'd just think that if you are going to change the regime, you have to know what it is you are going to change it to. That is just me talking, though.
Kate Snow, on Capitol Hill, I'll let you get back to the hearings, and we'll check back with you later on.
Fred, over to you.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: No doubt, President Bush is carefully monitoring perhaps the reaction of those leaders from Congress, as his defense secretary presses the case for Iraq.
Our CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace is at the White House, and she joins us with more.
Hi there, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi Fredricka.
Well, what we are seeing, clearly this administration pressing its case on two fronts, one, to the Congress, and also to the United Nations, and it does seem, at least at this point in time, the administration enjoying more success with congressional leaders than with some U.N. members, because we saw of course, the president -- you see Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld continuing to go make the case to Congress. He is getting a message not just to lawmakers, but to skeptical U.S. allies.
You see the president there meeting with congressional leaders this morning, that is when he secured a definite commitment with the leaders that they would vote, very, very soon on a resolution that would ultimately give them the authority to use whatever means necessary to deal with the Iraqi leader.
The president is facing a bigger challenge right now, convincing some skeptical U.S. allies that there is still a need for a tough new U.N. resolution. The president saying the U.N. relevancy is still on the line, and he says that reasonable people will realize that Saddam cannot be trusted.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's his latest ploy, his latest attempt not to be held accountable for defying the United Nations. He is not going to fool anybody. I mean, he is -- we've seen him before, and we will remind the world that by defying the United Nations, he is becoming more and more of a threat to world peace.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: There is a lot of discussion going on though behind closed doors because, as we know, countries such as Russia, China, even France, have made the case that perhaps there is no need for a new U.N. resolution since Saddam Hussein is saying he would allow weapons inspectors back inside the country without conditions.
The president, though, getting boost of support of Democrats and Republicans. The lawmakers here at the White House saying they are very skeptical of the Iraqi leader, and they also believe that the U.N. must pass a new resolution, spelling out the consequence that Saddam Hussein could face if he does not comply.
Here is house Democratic leader Richard Gephardt.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D-MO), MINORITY LEADER: This is about our responsibility to keep the American people safe. Now, we are trying, and the president is properly trying to get the international community to work with us together to solve this problem. I think he's making progress in that. I want him to continue to make progress. He wants to make progress.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: And there was a time when some Democrats were saying perhaps the Congress should wait and not vote on a resolution until the U.N. took some action, but that sentiment has changed. The wording of a resolution likely to be in heavy discussion mode over the next several days. The hope is, there will be votes in Congress over the next several weeks.
The goal, U.S. officials say, spending a message to skeptical U.S. allies that there is a need for tough action by the U.N. -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And sending a message that they wan to act fast on that.
All right, Kelly Wallace, from the White House. Thank you very much.
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 - 11:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Iraq has decided to issue a letter saying that it will allow inspectors to return, as it says, unconditionally, and that has hobbled the president's war drive at home, as well as in the U.N.
Already, important Security Council members Russia, France and China are now questioning the need for a new U.N. action on Iraq. Iraq experts say this is just what Saddam Hussein wanted.
CNN's Rula Amin is standing by live now in Baghdad to talk more about Iraq's strategy.
Hello, Rula.
RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning Leon.
First, let me tell you what you are hearing behind me is the call to prayers coming from that mosque. Five times a day, Muslims are required to pray, and every time, someone in the mosque will have to call on them. This is what you are hearing behind me.
Back to Iraq. Less than 38 hours after the compromise, the way Iraqis see it, they are already seeing gains, this compromise is already paying off from them. they are hearing from members of the Security Council, like France, like Russia, saying that Iraq should be tested for its words and should be challenged.
Iraqis are saying they are willing to cooperate with the inspectors, and now France and Russia are saying, well, let's go ahead, and send the inspectors in. If the Iraqis allow them to go in and inspect, well, that's good. Maybe there is no need anymore for a new U.N. resolution.
Now this is gains the U.S. was trying very hard to get the United Nations Security Council to issue a new resolution that is tougher on Iraq, more demands, and with an ultimatum.
So at this point, the Iraqis are pretty satisfied with the compromise that they made. They feel it's already winning them more support among crucial members on the Security Council -- Leon.
HARRIS: Well, Rula, as you may know, and do know, no doubt, the Arab League, no doubt, the Arab League played a big role in getting Saddam Hussein to issue this letter committing now to allowing these inspectors back in unconditionally, as he said.
Is there any sense at all that the message that came from the Arab League was actually fully received, because the message said not only to actually commit to these inspections, but also to quit the games that were played in the past, about this cat and mouse game of moving things in the country, and hide and resisting the will of the U.N. inspections. Any sense at all that message has gotten through?
AMIN: It seems that that message did get through. The Iraqi compromise came really quick, quicker than any would have anticipated. Many diplomats here and Arab analysts say that Iraq made compromise at the end, but they didn't think that the regime here would act quickly. They acted very quickly, circumventing U.S. efforts to try to push the U.N. to issue another resolution. There is a lot of pressure on Iraq from the Arab countries, from friendly countries like Russia, like France, like China. All of these countries Iraq needs their support, and they made it clear for Iraq that they are trying to oppose this war, they are making their voice heard in Washington, but if the Security Council issues a resolution, they have to abide for it, and they also made it clear for Iraq, that if the U.S. decides to wage a war against this country, it is going to be devastation here, and a change in the regime.
And so the regime, as analysts say, they have acted smartly, and that there are gaining -- they are achieving accomplishments -- Leon.
HARRIS: Rula, let me ask you one final question, any evidence at all, have you been able to sense whether there's been a change in the sentiments of people in the street on this?
AMIN: People in the street are relieved. They think, for now at least, there will be no military showdown, but many of them are skeptical. They are skeptical, because of the history of the relationship between the inspectors and Iraq. There has been a lot of crisis before between both, and they know that this time, if the inspectors come and there is a problem, there is going to be war.
At the same time, they are skeptical of the U.S. intentions. Many here believe that the U.S. is actually after Iraq's oil, that they want to invade this country to control its oil. So they think that the U.S. is using the weapons inspectors as a pretext, and that at one point, there will be another excuse, and war is imminent.
So many of them are skeptical. However, they are really, really relieved -- Leon.
HARRIS: Understood, Rula Amin reporting to us from the evening hours there in Baghdad, Iraq.
Thank you very much, Rula. Talk with you later on.
Now at 14 minutes after the hour in the morning here.
A top administration hawk is explaining to the Congress and the country why the U.S. should tangling with Iraq right now. That is up first on CNN this hour.
Our congressional correspondent Kate Snow is standing by on Capitol Hill this morning, where she has been listening to quite a bit of talk this morning -- Kate.
KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.
Secretary Rumsfeld testifying before the House Armed Services Committee. He went through 24 pages of prepared testimony, a detailed statement making the administration's case for action against Saddam Hussein an even more devastating attack than what happened on September 11th. He said that we could be preventing here tens of thousands of American deaths.
Mr. Rumsfeld's principle argument, that inaction right now is a greater cost than taking action, that it is wiser to take action than to sit in action right now.
Rumsfeld went point by point through many of the criticisms, many of the questions that critics have raised about taking action against Iraq. For example, would an attack on Iraq distract the U.S. from its principle goal of fighting terrorism worldwide. Mr. Rumsfeld says Iraq is part of the war on terror, we can't lose sight of that. The goal, he says, is to stop, again, another 9/11.
Where is the smoking gun, some of the critics have asked? Mr. Rumsfeld said to that, the last thing we want is a smoking gun, that would imply that something has already happened, that a weapon has been used. The goal, he said, is to stop Saddam Hussein before he's able to use any weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Rumsfeld went on to suggest that there is even more evidence at this point against Iraq than there was perhaps prior to 9/11 about those terrorists.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUMSFELD, SECY. OF DEFENSE: If one were to compare the scraps of information that the government had before September 11th to the volumes of information the government has today, about Iraq's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, his use of those weapons, his record of aggression and his consistent hostilities towards the United States, and then factor in our country's demonstration of vulnerability after September 11th, the case that the president made should be clear. If more time passes and the attacks we are concerned about were to come to pass, we would not want to have ignored those warning signs and then be required to explain why we failed to protect our fellow citizens.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Inspection not war!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNOW: This is the scene just as Secretary Rumsfeld began some of his remarks this morning, three women protesting, apparently anti-war protesters. We have not yet been able to determine what group they are with. They are now being detained, the three of them, in a room here on Capitol Hill, the House Armed Citizens Committee staff room. They are being held by U.S. Capitol Police. As soon as we get more information about who they are, we will of course bring to you.
But after that outburst, Rumsfeld very quickly came back and made a bit of a light comment, Leon. He said, look, at least that proves that we have freedom of speech in the United States, something that they don't have in Iraq.
Secretary Rumsfeld, just finally, Leon, encouraging Congress to act. He built on what the president said to leaders this morning. He said that Congress has to send a clear signal, and he said the timing of this. Congress should act, he said, before the United Nations Security Council takes a vote.
Leon, back to you.
HARRIS: I was kind of surprised just to see how long it took the police to get in there and get those protesters out. It seems like they were in there and going at it for quite a while.
SNOW: Well, it was an open public hearing.
HARRIS: OK.
Well, let me ask you this real quickly if I can. In one of the questions that you mention that were posed of the secretary, some of the questions that have been in the press of late. One of the questions that struck me what was, what would happen post-Saddam? What do you make of the answer that you got there, because from listening my perspective, is sounded as though, there really wasn't much a plan in place, and it seemed as if the administration was really only just beginning to begin addressing that issue.
SNOW: Well, but he said, it would have to be addressed. I think his answer was something like, clearly, we have to have a post-Saddam regime. But you are right, that that is something that has been raised repeatedly here on Capitol Hill, particularly by some Democrats, saying that they want more answers about what that kind of post-Saddam Hussein world would look like. It also raises questions about what the congressional resolution is going to look like, Leon.
The secretary today emphasizing the need for regime change. That word, that phrase "regime change" to be part of the resolution passed by the Congress. Just yesterday, Senator John McCain for one was saying that that would be included in a resolution from Congress, and that would be part of the language, that is still very much being debated here on Capitol Hill -- Leon.
HARRIS: You'd just think that if you are going to change the regime, you have to know what it is you are going to change it to. That is just me talking, though.
Kate Snow, on Capitol Hill, I'll let you get back to the hearings, and we'll check back with you later on.
Fred, over to you.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: No doubt, President Bush is carefully monitoring perhaps the reaction of those leaders from Congress, as his defense secretary presses the case for Iraq.
Our CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace is at the White House, and she joins us with more.
Hi there, Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi Fredricka.
Well, what we are seeing, clearly this administration pressing its case on two fronts, one, to the Congress, and also to the United Nations, and it does seem, at least at this point in time, the administration enjoying more success with congressional leaders than with some U.N. members, because we saw of course, the president -- you see Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld continuing to go make the case to Congress. He is getting a message not just to lawmakers, but to skeptical U.S. allies.
You see the president there meeting with congressional leaders this morning, that is when he secured a definite commitment with the leaders that they would vote, very, very soon on a resolution that would ultimately give them the authority to use whatever means necessary to deal with the Iraqi leader.
The president is facing a bigger challenge right now, convincing some skeptical U.S. allies that there is still a need for a tough new U.N. resolution. The president saying the U.N. relevancy is still on the line, and he says that reasonable people will realize that Saddam cannot be trusted.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's his latest ploy, his latest attempt not to be held accountable for defying the United Nations. He is not going to fool anybody. I mean, he is -- we've seen him before, and we will remind the world that by defying the United Nations, he is becoming more and more of a threat to world peace.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: There is a lot of discussion going on though behind closed doors because, as we know, countries such as Russia, China, even France, have made the case that perhaps there is no need for a new U.N. resolution since Saddam Hussein is saying he would allow weapons inspectors back inside the country without conditions.
The president, though, getting boost of support of Democrats and Republicans. The lawmakers here at the White House saying they are very skeptical of the Iraqi leader, and they also believe that the U.N. must pass a new resolution, spelling out the consequence that Saddam Hussein could face if he does not comply.
Here is house Democratic leader Richard Gephardt.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D-MO), MINORITY LEADER: This is about our responsibility to keep the American people safe. Now, we are trying, and the president is properly trying to get the international community to work with us together to solve this problem. I think he's making progress in that. I want him to continue to make progress. He wants to make progress.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: And there was a time when some Democrats were saying perhaps the Congress should wait and not vote on a resolution until the U.N. took some action, but that sentiment has changed. The wording of a resolution likely to be in heavy discussion mode over the next several days. The hope is, there will be votes in Congress over the next several weeks.
The goal, U.S. officials say, spending a message to skeptical U.S. allies that there is a need for tough action by the U.N. -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And sending a message that they wan to act fast on that.
All right, Kelly Wallace, from the White House. Thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
