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CNN Live Today
Day's Work Well Under Way at White House
Aired January 23, 2003 - 10:16 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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the day's work is well under way at the White House, and our Suzanne Malveaux checks in after the first get-together this morning with Ari Fleischer, the White House press secretary.
Let's check and see what the word is so far at this hour, at 16 after the hour.
Good morning, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.
There is significant news out of the gaggle from Ari Fleischer just moments ago, first of all, responding to some of the comments from France. As you know, France determined that it does not want military action against Iraq, determined to convince other members of NATO as well. Fleischer saying that the president is confident that Europe will heed the call, but he goes on to say -- sorry, the wind is very strong. "It's entirely possible that France will not be on the call." He also goes on to say that there may be a few friends that are on the sidelines. The White House clearly singling out France, marginalizing its role in this whole issue.
Also, Ari Fleischer went on to say something that he has not talked about in some time, that is, outright dismissing this idea of unilateralism, saying there is going to be a multilateral coalition, that without even the support of the U.N. Security Council. That has been a big issue. Ari Fleischer specifically naming some countries that he says would be supportive of the United States in the case of military action. Those being Italy, Australia, Britain, as well as, he says, all of the countries of Eastern Europe, the new NATO members, as well as the European Union.
And then finally, he did talk about those poll numbers. We've been showing poll numbers recently that the American people want months for those inspectors to be inside of Iraq, that they do not want this imminent military action, that it is believed that this is likely to happen, that they want more time for those inspections to play out.
Ari Fleischer responding to that, saying that yes, the fundamental issue is that the American people believe the use of force to disarm Saddam Hussein. He goes on to say that "If in the president's judgment force had to be used, if there was no support or unanimous support it would not guide the president's approach," but that he also believes that ultimately, the American people would ultimately support the president if he made that decision -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right. Thanks, Suzanne. Suzanne Malveaux, out there braving the winds out there 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 January 23, 2003 - 10:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the day's work is well under way at the White House, and our Suzanne Malveaux checks in after the first get-together this morning with Ari Fleischer, the White House press secretary.
Let's check and see what the word is so far at this hour, at 16 after the hour.
Good morning, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.
There is significant news out of the gaggle from Ari Fleischer just moments ago, first of all, responding to some of the comments from France. As you know, France determined that it does not want military action against Iraq, determined to convince other members of NATO as well. Fleischer saying that the president is confident that Europe will heed the call, but he goes on to say -- sorry, the wind is very strong. "It's entirely possible that France will not be on the call." He also goes on to say that there may be a few friends that are on the sidelines. The White House clearly singling out France, marginalizing its role in this whole issue.
Also, Ari Fleischer went on to say something that he has not talked about in some time, that is, outright dismissing this idea of unilateralism, saying there is going to be a multilateral coalition, that without even the support of the U.N. Security Council. That has been a big issue. Ari Fleischer specifically naming some countries that he says would be supportive of the United States in the case of military action. Those being Italy, Australia, Britain, as well as, he says, all of the countries of Eastern Europe, the new NATO members, as well as the European Union.
And then finally, he did talk about those poll numbers. We've been showing poll numbers recently that the American people want months for those inspectors to be inside of Iraq, that they do not want this imminent military action, that it is believed that this is likely to happen, that they want more time for those inspections to play out.
Ari Fleischer responding to that, saying that yes, the fundamental issue is that the American people believe the use of force to disarm Saddam Hussein. He goes on to say that "If in the president's judgment force had to be used, if there was no support or unanimous support it would not guide the president's approach," but that he also believes that ultimately, the American people would ultimately support the president if he made that decision -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right. Thanks, Suzanne. Suzanne Malveaux, out there braving the winds out there 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
