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CNN Live At Daybreak
Wake-Up Call: Second U.N. Resolution
Aired February 20, 2003 - 06:08 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: We've put a "Wake-Up Call" in to our State Department producer, Elise Labott. She's on the phone from Washington, and we want to talk more about that possible second U.N. resolution.
Good morning -- Elise.
ELISE LABOTT, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT PRODUCER: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: So, will this second resolution be so watered down so the United States can get around France's veto power?
LABOTT: Well, the U.S. and the British are still shopping ideas around to the council members, and we've been told the starting point for the negotiations will be the first resolution, because everyone agreed to it. And as you said, the U.S. definitely does not want to push too far (UNINTELLIGIBLE) French veto.
But there are other ideas being discussed, including adding some form of ultimatum that will require Iraq to meet certain benchmarks by a specific date. Another possibility is a resolution declaring Iraq in material breach and authorizing force.
But one official I spoke with yesterday, Carol, said we want that resolution. We can live without it, but it really makes things easier. So, they definitely want that document on the books, Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, tell us how it makes it easier? Because President Bush wasn't interested at all at first in a second U.N. resolution, and then he was sort of wishy-washy on it, and now it appears it's going to happen.
LABOTT: Well, the simple answer is that you can see by the anti- war demonstrations, the rest of the world wants the U.N. to sign up on this. It gives unquestionable legal basis for countries to point to. And it isn't just to build a coalition for military action. It's to gather support for the day after, and many think that's more important. And it's also important for countries in the region worrying about instability in the event of a war.
It really shows the world that the U.S. is serious about working with the international community, and that's why the Bush administration knows it's in the U.S. interest to have that in their pocket -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Understand. Elise Labott, thanks very much for waking up early with DAYBREAK. We'll let you get on to work.
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 20, 2003 - 06:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We've put a "Wake-Up Call" in to our State Department producer, Elise Labott. She's on the phone from Washington, and we want to talk more about that possible second U.N. resolution.
Good morning -- Elise.
ELISE LABOTT, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT PRODUCER: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: So, will this second resolution be so watered down so the United States can get around France's veto power?
LABOTT: Well, the U.S. and the British are still shopping ideas around to the council members, and we've been told the starting point for the negotiations will be the first resolution, because everyone agreed to it. And as you said, the U.S. definitely does not want to push too far (UNINTELLIGIBLE) French veto.
But there are other ideas being discussed, including adding some form of ultimatum that will require Iraq to meet certain benchmarks by a specific date. Another possibility is a resolution declaring Iraq in material breach and authorizing force.
But one official I spoke with yesterday, Carol, said we want that resolution. We can live without it, but it really makes things easier. So, they definitely want that document on the books, Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, tell us how it makes it easier? Because President Bush wasn't interested at all at first in a second U.N. resolution, and then he was sort of wishy-washy on it, and now it appears it's going to happen.
LABOTT: Well, the simple answer is that you can see by the anti- war demonstrations, the rest of the world wants the U.N. to sign up on this. It gives unquestionable legal basis for countries to point to. And it isn't just to build a coalition for military action. It's to gather support for the day after, and many think that's more important. And it's also important for countries in the region worrying about instability in the event of a war.
It really shows the world that the U.S. is serious about working with the international community, and that's why the Bush administration knows it's in the U.S. interest to have that in their pocket -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Understand. Elise Labott, thanks very much for waking up early with DAYBREAK. We'll let you get on to work.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
