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CNN Saturday Morning News

President Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair Say Iraq Only Has Weeks

Aired February 01, 2003 - 09:02   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.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. and Britain keep turning up the power on Saddam Hussein to disarm. After meeting in Washington, President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair said Iraq has weeks, not months, to disarm, or they will suffer the consequences.
We have CNN's Suzanne Malveaux standing by now to tell us more about this meeting between the two leaders. Good morning, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi.

Really, the White House strategy is two-pronged. First of all, to try to get as much information, much evidence out as possible against Saddam Hussein to make a strong argument.

We are told that officials are debating whether or not they're going to actually show spy satellite photos showing that -- Iraqi officials moving around weapons components before inspectors arrive, mobile labs in action, even "Newsweek" reporting possibly electronic intercepts, conversations of Iraqi officials saying Move that or hide that, boasting about it afterwards.

You bring up a very good point, however, and that is, the second part of the strategy. And that is this push for the possible second resolution from the U.N. Security Council.

This is something that President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair discussed yesterday in their meeting. It would really involve possibly a set timeline for Saddam Hussein to comply within weeks, we're told as little as four weeks, or otherwise face some sort of military action that would be authorized by the U.N. Security Council.

As you know, Heidi, this has been kind of a controversial issue. The White House certainly not preferring this option. They really wanted to go with one resolution as quickly as possible, but they see this as a compromise, one that may have to take shape to win other allies, Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Suzanne Malveaux, we do appreciate your comments 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




Has Weeks>


Aired February 1, 2003 - 09:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. and Britain keep turning up the power on Saddam Hussein to disarm. After meeting in Washington, President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair said Iraq has weeks, not months, to disarm, or they will suffer the consequences.
We have CNN's Suzanne Malveaux standing by now to tell us more about this meeting between the two leaders. Good morning, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi.

Really, the White House strategy is two-pronged. First of all, to try to get as much information, much evidence out as possible against Saddam Hussein to make a strong argument.

We are told that officials are debating whether or not they're going to actually show spy satellite photos showing that -- Iraqi officials moving around weapons components before inspectors arrive, mobile labs in action, even "Newsweek" reporting possibly electronic intercepts, conversations of Iraqi officials saying Move that or hide that, boasting about it afterwards.

You bring up a very good point, however, and that is, the second part of the strategy. And that is this push for the possible second resolution from the U.N. Security Council.

This is something that President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair discussed yesterday in their meeting. It would really involve possibly a set timeline for Saddam Hussein to comply within weeks, we're told as little as four weeks, or otherwise face some sort of military action that would be authorized by the U.N. Security Council.

As you know, Heidi, this has been kind of a controversial issue. The White House certainly not preferring this option. They really wanted to go with one resolution as quickly as possible, but they see this as a compromise, one that may have to take shape to win other allies, Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Suzanne Malveaux, we do appreciate your comments 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




Has Weeks>