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CNN Live At Daybreak

U.N. Inspection Teams Intensifying Hunt

Aired December 12, 2002 - 05:35   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: And now let's head to Iraq, where U.N. inspection teams are intensifying their hunt for Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.
We want to go live to our Nic Robertson, who's in Baghdad -- good morning, Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Well, a little early in the day here to know exactly how many U.N. teams are out and exactly where they've gone. But from what we can see so far, it looks like at least half a dozen teams out there to the east of Baghdad visiting a pharmaceutical company, to the south of Baghdad visiting a facility that deals with Iraq's missile systems. Of course, those limited to a range no further than 90 miles. Also, a team going to a former uranium enrichment facility.

We've been getting some new and perhaps more precise details from the U.N. teams, as well, at the end of their day's work, each day now getting a briefing from U.N. spokesmen. Yesterday, telling us that their visit to the former uranium enrichment site had shown that that uranium enrichment program was no longer operational and, indeed, that the Iraqis have shown no signs of trying to restart it there.

Also, giving some pretty conclusive information from a visit to a uranium ore mine close to the border with Syria, saying that from what they can see there, uranium ore no longer mined at that facility.

So, getting a few more details from the U.N. spokesmen about what all the teams are doing at the end of the day. So many teams out, though, now, difficult to keep track of them through the day.

COSTELLO: Yes, and, Nic, more inspectors are due next week, so it will be even more difficult.

Nic Robertson reporting live from Baghdad.

ROBERTSON: Thank you.

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 12, 2002 - 05:35   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And now let's head to Iraq, where U.N. inspection teams are intensifying their hunt for Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.
We want to go live to our Nic Robertson, who's in Baghdad -- good morning, Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Well, a little early in the day here to know exactly how many U.N. teams are out and exactly where they've gone. But from what we can see so far, it looks like at least half a dozen teams out there to the east of Baghdad visiting a pharmaceutical company, to the south of Baghdad visiting a facility that deals with Iraq's missile systems. Of course, those limited to a range no further than 90 miles. Also, a team going to a former uranium enrichment facility.

We've been getting some new and perhaps more precise details from the U.N. teams, as well, at the end of their day's work, each day now getting a briefing from U.N. spokesmen. Yesterday, telling us that their visit to the former uranium enrichment site had shown that that uranium enrichment program was no longer operational and, indeed, that the Iraqis have shown no signs of trying to restart it there.

Also, giving some pretty conclusive information from a visit to a uranium ore mine close to the border with Syria, saying that from what they can see there, uranium ore no longer mined at that facility.

So, getting a few more details from the U.N. spokesmen about what all the teams are doing at the end of the day. So many teams out, though, now, difficult to keep track of them through the day.

COSTELLO: Yes, and, Nic, more inspectors are due next week, so it will be even more difficult.

Nic Robertson reporting live from Baghdad.

ROBERTSON: Thank you.

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