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CNN Live At Daybreak

White House Skeptical of Iraqi Declaration

Aired December 06, 2002 - 07:30   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We want to get to Iraq right now, especially the White House, with the ball about to land in the U.N.'s court this week. And President Bush will be considering how the administration may respond.
Frank Buckley, the front lawn of the White House now, listening and watching things there -- Frank, good morning to you.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

White House officials are skeptical that Saddam Hussein and Iraq will provide, in their view, a truthful declaration this weekend when Iraq must declare its weapons programs, given the statements from Iraqi leaders that Iraq does not have any weapons of mass destruction. President Bush insists that Iraq does have such weapons and he expects Iraq to provide them in this declaration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Given the overwhelming amount of history that the world has had dealing with Saddam Hussein and his deceptions and lies about whether he does or doesn't have weapons of mass destruction, the burden this time lies with Saddam Hussein and he can begin to shed that burden with what he reveals when he releases his declaration this weekend.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUCKLEY: Now, even though it may be Saturday when Iraq provides the declaration, it's probably going to be Sunday before U.S. officials have their hands on the documents. As you've said, Bill, possibly several thousand pages. It could be some while before we have an official response to the declaration -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Frank, thanks.

A lot of eyes on that over the weekend.

Frank Buckley at the White House this morning.

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 December 6, 2002 - 07:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We want to get to Iraq right now, especially the White House, with the ball about to land in the U.N.'s court this week. And President Bush will be considering how the administration may respond.
Frank Buckley, the front lawn of the White House now, listening and watching things there -- Frank, good morning to you.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

White House officials are skeptical that Saddam Hussein and Iraq will provide, in their view, a truthful declaration this weekend when Iraq must declare its weapons programs, given the statements from Iraqi leaders that Iraq does not have any weapons of mass destruction. President Bush insists that Iraq does have such weapons and he expects Iraq to provide them in this declaration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Given the overwhelming amount of history that the world has had dealing with Saddam Hussein and his deceptions and lies about whether he does or doesn't have weapons of mass destruction, the burden this time lies with Saddam Hussein and he can begin to shed that burden with what he reveals when he releases his declaration this weekend.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUCKLEY: Now, even though it may be Saturday when Iraq provides the declaration, it's probably going to be Sunday before U.S. officials have their hands on the documents. As you've said, Bill, possibly several thousand pages. It could be some while before we have an official response to the declaration -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Frank, thanks.

A lot of eyes on that over the weekend.

Frank Buckley at the White House this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com