Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
President Bush Will Be Among Those Flying Today to NATO Summit
Aired November 19, 2002 - 05:02 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush will be among those flying today. He is going to the NATO summit in Prague, where he'll try to get support for his policy on Iraq.
But as CNN's John King reports, Mr. Bush may not find unified backing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president is counting on a strong NATO statement backing his position that Iraq must disarm or face military action.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Iraq is typical or the most important example of the kind of threat that NATO will face in the future.
KING: The main summit focus is inviting seven Eastern European nations to join the NATO alliance. But Iraq is a major subplot and a major diplomatic challenge for Mr. Bush. NATO was quick to offer help after the terrorist attacks on the United States, but had little role in the war in Afghanistan.
STROBE TALBOTT, FORMER DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE: The Iraq issue has become kind of the next litmus test for whether the United States has made a fundamental shift away from working with others towards doing everything alone.
KING: Russia is now a NATO partner and some see war with Iraq as a perfect test of whether an alliance formed to win the cold war can adapt to changing times.
GEN. WESLEY CLARK (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST, FORMER NATO SUPREME COMMANDER: We can even use a NATO-led force, if necessary, to attack Iraq, coming through the mountains between Turkey and Iraq and actually moving into northern Iraq, and I would hope we'll be able to do that.
KING: Pentagon war planning envisions far more modest help from NATO allies. Britain would be most involved, offering troops, fighter bombers and air bases. And Turkey's air bases are critical because it neighbors Iraq. Romania and Bulgaria are among the new NATO members offering bases and use of their air space. Czech forces have expertise in defending against biological and chemical attacks. Germany is a key player in NATO. But Iraq is a sore spot in U.S.- German relations, because Chancellor Gerhardt Schroeder says Germany would not take part in any military confrontation. RICE: I would note that this is a U.N. Security Council resolution that has the backing of everybody in the world, including Syria.
KING: The president is keenly aware of European skepticism of his approach to Iraq.
(on camera): But as he travels to the NATO summit, Mr. Bush believes he is in a position of strength, fresh from his party's big win in the midterm elections and with the United Nations standing firmly behind him.
John King, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Summit>
Aired November 19, 2002 - 05:02 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 will be among those flying today. He is going to the NATO summit in Prague, where he'll try to get support for his policy on Iraq.
But as CNN's John King reports, Mr. Bush may not find unified backing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president is counting on a strong NATO statement backing his position that Iraq must disarm or face military action.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Iraq is typical or the most important example of the kind of threat that NATO will face in the future.
KING: The main summit focus is inviting seven Eastern European nations to join the NATO alliance. But Iraq is a major subplot and a major diplomatic challenge for Mr. Bush. NATO was quick to offer help after the terrorist attacks on the United States, but had little role in the war in Afghanistan.
STROBE TALBOTT, FORMER DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE: The Iraq issue has become kind of the next litmus test for whether the United States has made a fundamental shift away from working with others towards doing everything alone.
KING: Russia is now a NATO partner and some see war with Iraq as a perfect test of whether an alliance formed to win the cold war can adapt to changing times.
GEN. WESLEY CLARK (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST, FORMER NATO SUPREME COMMANDER: We can even use a NATO-led force, if necessary, to attack Iraq, coming through the mountains between Turkey and Iraq and actually moving into northern Iraq, and I would hope we'll be able to do that.
KING: Pentagon war planning envisions far more modest help from NATO allies. Britain would be most involved, offering troops, fighter bombers and air bases. And Turkey's air bases are critical because it neighbors Iraq. Romania and Bulgaria are among the new NATO members offering bases and use of their air space. Czech forces have expertise in defending against biological and chemical attacks. Germany is a key player in NATO. But Iraq is a sore spot in U.S.- German relations, because Chancellor Gerhardt Schroeder says Germany would not take part in any military confrontation. RICE: I would note that this is a U.N. Security Council resolution that has the backing of everybody in the world, including Syria.
KING: The president is keenly aware of European skepticism of his approach to Iraq.
(on camera): But as he travels to the NATO summit, Mr. Bush believes he is in a position of strength, fresh from his party's big win in the midterm elections and with the United Nations standing firmly behind him.
John King, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Summit>
