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CNN Live At Daybreak

Iraq Approves Unconditional U-2 Flights

Aired February 11, 2003 - 05:07   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: As we've told you, Iraq has agreed to the inspectors' use of those U-2 spy planes unconditionally, they say, but President Bush says that doesn't spell cooperation, but S-T- A-L-L, as in for time.
With more on the U-2 deal, we take you to CNN's Rym Brahimi in Baghdad.

Rym -- when might those surveillance flights start?

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's something that Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei, the two chief U.N. weapons inspectors, are probably going to work out.

But first of all, there are a certain number of issues they need to address. Those spy planes -- the U-2 American spy planes, the French Mirage and Russian Antonov planes -- have been authorized now.

Of course, they're going to have to agree with the weapons inspectors on the ground, and also with the Iraq authorities, with the two chief U.N. weapons inspectors. But all of that is dependent on what happens on Friday when Hans Blix presents his follow-up report to the U.N. Security Council.

As you know, Carol, that announcement that they were accepting the overflights of those spy planes came last night, an announcement made in New York in a letter given to the inspectors by the Iraqi ambassador. At the same time as that announcement was made, President Saddam Hussein was seen on Iraqi TV making comments, remarks, basically saying that Iraq was reluctantly accepting those overflights only to avert the possibility of war, saying that from the beginning they've accepted the inspections, not to provide the U.S. with an excuse to go to war.

Now, Iraqis also commenting that shortly before Friday's so- called deadline, they will also make it a criminal offense to engage in any weapons of mass destruction production in Iraq -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Rym Brahimi reporting live from Baghdad 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 February 11, 2003 - 05:07   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As we've told you, Iraq has agreed to the inspectors' use of those U-2 spy planes unconditionally, they say, but President Bush says that doesn't spell cooperation, but S-T- A-L-L, as in for time.
With more on the U-2 deal, we take you to CNN's Rym Brahimi in Baghdad.

Rym -- when might those surveillance flights start?

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's something that Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei, the two chief U.N. weapons inspectors, are probably going to work out.

But first of all, there are a certain number of issues they need to address. Those spy planes -- the U-2 American spy planes, the French Mirage and Russian Antonov planes -- have been authorized now.

Of course, they're going to have to agree with the weapons inspectors on the ground, and also with the Iraq authorities, with the two chief U.N. weapons inspectors. But all of that is dependent on what happens on Friday when Hans Blix presents his follow-up report to the U.N. Security Council.

As you know, Carol, that announcement that they were accepting the overflights of those spy planes came last night, an announcement made in New York in a letter given to the inspectors by the Iraqi ambassador. At the same time as that announcement was made, President Saddam Hussein was seen on Iraqi TV making comments, remarks, basically saying that Iraq was reluctantly accepting those overflights only to avert the possibility of war, saying that from the beginning they've accepted the inspections, not to provide the U.S. with an excuse to go to war.

Now, Iraqis also commenting that shortly before Friday's so- called deadline, they will also make it a criminal offense to engage in any weapons of mass destruction production in Iraq -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Rym Brahimi reporting live from Baghdad 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.