Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Weapons Inspectors Finalize Talks With Iraqis in Vienna
Aired October 01, 2002 - 11:01 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: UN weapons inspectors are holding a second and final day of talks with Iraqi officials in Vienna, Austria. They are trying to work out the nuts and bolts of resuming weapons inspections in Iraq.
Our chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is covering the talks, joining us live from Vienna.
Christiane, we're getting word that those talks are just now wrapping up where you are.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we've just learned that the talks have, in fact, ended in the last few minutes. What they're doing, both sides, are working out their so-called talking points, because they are going to have a press conference sometime within the next hour.
A source inside tells us they appear to have come to an agreement. We'll wait to see what the details are, and we'll bring them to you live when we do have that press conference.
On the agenda for today was Hans Blix, the chief UN weapons inspector, essentially trying to work out last details in his demands to the Iraqis, which were for free and unrestricted access to all the sites in Iraq. Those include sensitive sites that Iraq has put restrictions on in the past, sites such as ministries and party headquarters and about a dozen other similar sites. But the other controversial sites, known as the presidential sites, those were not on the table for resolution today, because that apparently needs to be dealt with by the Security Council, since the restrictions on the presidential side in Iraq have been made by agreement with the UN secretary-general himself and the government of Iraq.
So in addition, the Iraqis handed over a huge load of documents to the UN today. These are documents that cover an accumulated amount of information over the last four years about what's been happening at the so-called dual-use facilities in Iraq. These are areas, material, equipment that can be used for civilian use but that can also be used for military use, including for the production of weapons of mass destruction. Weapons inspectors here absolutely adamant that they needed that information; apparently they've had it now turned over to them. They need that information not only to know what's been going on in the last four years, but to be able to create a new baseline from which to proceed in their effort to disarm Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi regime.
Of course, these talks have been going on against that backdrop of the U.S. push to get a tough new resolution through the Security Council, which would govern a new weapons inspection regime in Iraq. Here the weapons inspectors are telling us that they are well aware of those talks, that they have been operating on getting agreement under existing resolutions, and they plan, they said, if today turns out to be a good day for them, they plan to send weapons inspectors back to Iraq, unless the Security Council as a whole tell them not to -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Christiane, I understand we're expecting to hear from Hans Blix very soon.
AMANPOUR: Yes, as I was saying, there is going to be a press conference sometime within the next hour, we're told. And right now Blix and the head of the IAEA, the nuclear watchdog which is in charge of disarming Iraq's nuclear program, they will hold a press conference. And we also understand -- although we won't know it till we see it -- that the head of the Iraqi delegation will also be taking part in a press conference. That should be sometime in the next hour, and we'll know then exact details of what they've achieved or what they haven't achieved here.
KAGAN: We look forward to those comments and we'll look for more analysis from you and also get reaction from our Rula Amin, who is in Baghdad -- Leon.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Those talks in Vienna are being closely watched by Washington. The White House wants the UN to adopt a new and tougher resolution, though, before the inspectors return to Iraq.
The Bush administration is also trying to work out some differences in Congress over authorizing the use of force.
Our White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us now live with the very latest on all that -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Leon, We are watching this administration follow those two tracks, in Congress and up in the United Nations. The administration definitely believes they are linked, U.S. officials hoping if the president gets a strong congressional resolution, that would send a message to some skeptical U.S. allies up at the UN.
We have heard the president talk and U.S. officials say they are within reach, that they are close to an agreement on a congressional resolution that ultimately would give the president the authority to use force if he determines that is necessary to deal with Saddam Hussein.
There is a sticking point, though. You have a bipartisan proposal pushed by Democratic Senator Biden and Republican Senator Lugar in the Senate, which would narrow the authorization: The president would only be able to use force to deal with Saddam Hussein Weapons of mass destruction.
The president was asked about that a short time ago, following a meeting with lawmakers, the president making it clear he believes he needs and must have broader authority.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't want to get a resolution which ties my hands, a resolution which is weaker than that which was passed out of the Congress in 1998. Congress in 1998 passed a very strong resolution. They wisely recognized that Saddam Hussein is a threat -- was a threat in '98, and he's more of a threat four years later.
My question is what's changed. Why would Congress want to weaken the resolution? The guy's had four years to lie, deceive, to arm up. He's had four years to thumb his nose at the world. He's stockpiling more weapons. So I'm not sure why members would like to weaken the resolution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: So those negotiations to continue between the administration and Congress.
Also, the president was asked about efforts to get agreement for a tough new UN Security Council resolution. We know members of the permanent five meeting today at the United Nations, countries such as France, China, Russia, the U.S. and Great Britain all with veto power. This administration wants to have one resolution spelling out a timetable for Iraq to comply with U.S. disarmament demands and also spelling out the consequences Iraq could face.
The president was asked about a possible compromise solution, having two resolutions: one with a timetable for Iraq to comply with demands, the second would include possible consequences, use of force. The president leaving the window open a little bit, although he made it clear he feels the UN must act and show backbone.
Leon, as our own Andrea Koppel was reporting earlier, sources telling her there is an effort to draft this compromise two-stage resolution to appease countries such as France, which believes that is the way to go.
So lots going up at the UN and here at the White House with lawmakers.
Back to you.
HARRIS: Understood.
Thanks, Kelly. Kelly Wallace, at the White House.
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 October 1, 2002 - 11:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: UN weapons inspectors are holding a second and final day of talks with Iraqi officials in Vienna, Austria. They are trying to work out the nuts and bolts of resuming weapons inspections in Iraq.
Our chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is covering the talks, joining us live from Vienna.
Christiane, we're getting word that those talks are just now wrapping up where you are.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we've just learned that the talks have, in fact, ended in the last few minutes. What they're doing, both sides, are working out their so-called talking points, because they are going to have a press conference sometime within the next hour.
A source inside tells us they appear to have come to an agreement. We'll wait to see what the details are, and we'll bring them to you live when we do have that press conference.
On the agenda for today was Hans Blix, the chief UN weapons inspector, essentially trying to work out last details in his demands to the Iraqis, which were for free and unrestricted access to all the sites in Iraq. Those include sensitive sites that Iraq has put restrictions on in the past, sites such as ministries and party headquarters and about a dozen other similar sites. But the other controversial sites, known as the presidential sites, those were not on the table for resolution today, because that apparently needs to be dealt with by the Security Council, since the restrictions on the presidential side in Iraq have been made by agreement with the UN secretary-general himself and the government of Iraq.
So in addition, the Iraqis handed over a huge load of documents to the UN today. These are documents that cover an accumulated amount of information over the last four years about what's been happening at the so-called dual-use facilities in Iraq. These are areas, material, equipment that can be used for civilian use but that can also be used for military use, including for the production of weapons of mass destruction. Weapons inspectors here absolutely adamant that they needed that information; apparently they've had it now turned over to them. They need that information not only to know what's been going on in the last four years, but to be able to create a new baseline from which to proceed in their effort to disarm Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi regime.
Of course, these talks have been going on against that backdrop of the U.S. push to get a tough new resolution through the Security Council, which would govern a new weapons inspection regime in Iraq. Here the weapons inspectors are telling us that they are well aware of those talks, that they have been operating on getting agreement under existing resolutions, and they plan, they said, if today turns out to be a good day for them, they plan to send weapons inspectors back to Iraq, unless the Security Council as a whole tell them not to -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Christiane, I understand we're expecting to hear from Hans Blix very soon.
AMANPOUR: Yes, as I was saying, there is going to be a press conference sometime within the next hour, we're told. And right now Blix and the head of the IAEA, the nuclear watchdog which is in charge of disarming Iraq's nuclear program, they will hold a press conference. And we also understand -- although we won't know it till we see it -- that the head of the Iraqi delegation will also be taking part in a press conference. That should be sometime in the next hour, and we'll know then exact details of what they've achieved or what they haven't achieved here.
KAGAN: We look forward to those comments and we'll look for more analysis from you and also get reaction from our Rula Amin, who is in Baghdad -- Leon.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Those talks in Vienna are being closely watched by Washington. The White House wants the UN to adopt a new and tougher resolution, though, before the inspectors return to Iraq.
The Bush administration is also trying to work out some differences in Congress over authorizing the use of force.
Our White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us now live with the very latest on all that -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Leon, We are watching this administration follow those two tracks, in Congress and up in the United Nations. The administration definitely believes they are linked, U.S. officials hoping if the president gets a strong congressional resolution, that would send a message to some skeptical U.S. allies up at the UN.
We have heard the president talk and U.S. officials say they are within reach, that they are close to an agreement on a congressional resolution that ultimately would give the president the authority to use force if he determines that is necessary to deal with Saddam Hussein.
There is a sticking point, though. You have a bipartisan proposal pushed by Democratic Senator Biden and Republican Senator Lugar in the Senate, which would narrow the authorization: The president would only be able to use force to deal with Saddam Hussein Weapons of mass destruction.
The president was asked about that a short time ago, following a meeting with lawmakers, the president making it clear he believes he needs and must have broader authority.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't want to get a resolution which ties my hands, a resolution which is weaker than that which was passed out of the Congress in 1998. Congress in 1998 passed a very strong resolution. They wisely recognized that Saddam Hussein is a threat -- was a threat in '98, and he's more of a threat four years later.
My question is what's changed. Why would Congress want to weaken the resolution? The guy's had four years to lie, deceive, to arm up. He's had four years to thumb his nose at the world. He's stockpiling more weapons. So I'm not sure why members would like to weaken the resolution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: So those negotiations to continue between the administration and Congress.
Also, the president was asked about efforts to get agreement for a tough new UN Security Council resolution. We know members of the permanent five meeting today at the United Nations, countries such as France, China, Russia, the U.S. and Great Britain all with veto power. This administration wants to have one resolution spelling out a timetable for Iraq to comply with U.S. disarmament demands and also spelling out the consequences Iraq could face.
The president was asked about a possible compromise solution, having two resolutions: one with a timetable for Iraq to comply with demands, the second would include possible consequences, use of force. The president leaving the window open a little bit, although he made it clear he feels the UN must act and show backbone.
Leon, as our own Andrea Koppel was reporting earlier, sources telling her there is an effort to draft this compromise two-stage resolution to appease countries such as France, which believes that is the way to go.
So lots going up at the UN and here at the White House with lawmakers.
Back to you.
HARRIS: Understood.
Thanks, Kelly. Kelly Wallace, at the White House.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
