Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Iraq Inspections: Chemical Warheads Discovered; Hussein Remains Defiant
Aired January 17, 2003 - 10:03 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, just hours after U.N. inspectors found 11 empty chemical warheads, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein issued a message of defiance. He called upon his country to take up arms against any invaders who he said face certain suicide at the gates of Baghdad.
CNN's Rym Brahimi is at the Iraqi capital of Baghdad with the very latest -- Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, indeed the message was very clear, saying that anyone who would attack Iraq would fail in that mission, calling specifically on the U.S. and Israel as well to remember that this is -- that they would be met with failure, that they -- Baghdad, in particular, would resist -- specifically making reference to Baghdad as a seat of power. References also with history, saying that maybe in the 13th century, Baghdad had been destroyed, but this time the Iraqis were strong, they were prepared and they would definitely resist.
In short, a clear message here saying that President Saddam Hussein would fight and would not step down. Now, this comes, of course, at a very tense moment just as the U.N. weapons inspectors have found 11 empty chemical warheads. The U.N. is, of course, saying that this is still not a smoking gun. For now they're checking to see whether it is in the declaration, as Iraq says it was.
Meanwhile, a presidential envoy to Saddam Hussein has reaffirmed that in his view these warheads were cited in a declaration that the U.N. weapons inspectors have. Here is how he put it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): These projectiles are registered and pictured and listed at the same commission, and some of these experts know this very well but they are looking for a pretext. Shame on them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRAHIMI: Now, the U.N. for now still says that these findings need further evaluation. For now they're still reserving judgment. They say there could be explanations. But, again, that's something that probably chief U.N. weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohammed el- Baradei will be discussing when they arrive in Baghdad at the weekend, and to talk with Iraqi officials.
Back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right, Rym Brahimi from Baghdad, 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
Remains Defiant>
Aired January 17, 2003 - 10:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, just hours after U.N. inspectors found 11 empty chemical warheads, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein issued a message of defiance. He called upon his country to take up arms against any invaders who he said face certain suicide at the gates of Baghdad.
CNN's Rym Brahimi is at the Iraqi capital of Baghdad with the very latest -- Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, indeed the message was very clear, saying that anyone who would attack Iraq would fail in that mission, calling specifically on the U.S. and Israel as well to remember that this is -- that they would be met with failure, that they -- Baghdad, in particular, would resist -- specifically making reference to Baghdad as a seat of power. References also with history, saying that maybe in the 13th century, Baghdad had been destroyed, but this time the Iraqis were strong, they were prepared and they would definitely resist.
In short, a clear message here saying that President Saddam Hussein would fight and would not step down. Now, this comes, of course, at a very tense moment just as the U.N. weapons inspectors have found 11 empty chemical warheads. The U.N. is, of course, saying that this is still not a smoking gun. For now they're checking to see whether it is in the declaration, as Iraq says it was.
Meanwhile, a presidential envoy to Saddam Hussein has reaffirmed that in his view these warheads were cited in a declaration that the U.N. weapons inspectors have. Here is how he put it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): These projectiles are registered and pictured and listed at the same commission, and some of these experts know this very well but they are looking for a pretext. Shame on them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRAHIMI: Now, the U.N. for now still says that these findings need further evaluation. For now they're still reserving judgment. They say there could be explanations. But, again, that's something that probably chief U.N. weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohammed el- Baradei will be discussing when they arrive in Baghdad at the weekend, and to talk with Iraqi officials.
Back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right, Rym Brahimi from Baghdad, 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
Remains Defiant>
