Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Rival Proposed Resolutions Given to United Nations
Aired February 25, 2003 - 06:04 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: The new U.N. resolution introduced to the Security Council does not include the word, "war," but it is designed to clear the way for military action against Iraq. The resolution declares, "Iraq has been and remains in material breach" of a U.N. mandate to disarm. It says, Iraq was afforded a final opportunity to comply, but did not. And it says the U.N. "has repeatedly warned Iraq that it will face serious consequences."
The Bush administration wants quick action.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's an interesting moment for the Security Council and the United Nations. It's a moment to determine for this body that we hope succeeds to determine whether or not it is going to be relevant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Britain, of course, was one of the key players that presented that U.N. resolution to the Security Council. And in an hour-and-a-half, Tony Blair will be in the hot seat again when he is grilled by members of the British parliament.
So, we take you now to London to Christiane Amanpour.
Good morning.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And let me see if I can put this into context of how difficult a job it is going to be for Tony Blair.
This is the resolution, or the draft text of the resolution that you've just been talking about. It is very short, and that's because they're trying to get unity on this. And as you mentioned, the things they've been saying, it has specifically eliminated the actual specific words authorizing war. It's simply noting all of the previous resolutions since 1990 that have failed to be heeded, they say, by Saddam Hussein.
Now, in that context, it's meant to get a majority of the Security Council members on board, but right now that is not the case. The majority of the Security Council members are not on board for a second resolution.
So, Tony Blair today is continuing what will be an intense two weeks of diplomacy, frantically trying to get a consensus on this second resolution. He goes before the House of Commons today. He has a general speech. This will not be a speech about going to war. It will be a general speech about his Iraq policy over the years, and how he believes Saddam Hussein has failed to meet all of the Security Council resolutions.
He faces something of a revolt from back benches; in other words, party members, his own party members. Although, let's be quite clear on this, there are something like 659 members of parliament in total in England, and the majority will be behind Blair, not only some of his own party, but also the opposition, Tories, who believe in a possible military option.
So, while this is not make or break for his political career, it is nonetheless important in terms of public opinion.
As we've said, the majority of the Security Council and countries around the world oppose war right now. These are being led by France and Germany. The president of those countries, the leaders of those countries, Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder, met in Germany last night. And almost simultaneously, as this draft resolution by the U.S. and the U.K. was tabled in New York, they came up with their own alternative, and that was not to authorize war, but to continue the arms inspections and to give much longer time for President Saddam Hussein to disarm peacefully.
This is what Jacques Chirac had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRES. JACQUES CHIRAC, FRANCE (through translator): We have a common approach between Germany and France, but also the majority of members of the Security Council of the U.N. We learned about the draft resolution. In fact, we don't see anything in the present situation to justify a new resolution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AMANPOUR: So, there you have it. The French leading the anti- war coalition, if you like, to try to give more time and to try to bring more robust inspections to Iraq. The U.S. and the U.K. trying to get this resolution voted on, and as I say, Tony Blair leading this international effort here on this side of the Atlantic to try to get a majority of people -- Security Council members on board. We'll see how it shapes out.
Back to you -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes, we will. Christiane Amanpour reporting live from London 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 25, 2003 - 06:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The new U.N. resolution introduced to the Security Council does not include the word, "war," but it is designed to clear the way for military action against Iraq. The resolution declares, "Iraq has been and remains in material breach" of a U.N. mandate to disarm. It says, Iraq was afforded a final opportunity to comply, but did not. And it says the U.N. "has repeatedly warned Iraq that it will face serious consequences."
The Bush administration wants quick action.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's an interesting moment for the Security Council and the United Nations. It's a moment to determine for this body that we hope succeeds to determine whether or not it is going to be relevant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Britain, of course, was one of the key players that presented that U.N. resolution to the Security Council. And in an hour-and-a-half, Tony Blair will be in the hot seat again when he is grilled by members of the British parliament.
So, we take you now to London to Christiane Amanpour.
Good morning.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And let me see if I can put this into context of how difficult a job it is going to be for Tony Blair.
This is the resolution, or the draft text of the resolution that you've just been talking about. It is very short, and that's because they're trying to get unity on this. And as you mentioned, the things they've been saying, it has specifically eliminated the actual specific words authorizing war. It's simply noting all of the previous resolutions since 1990 that have failed to be heeded, they say, by Saddam Hussein.
Now, in that context, it's meant to get a majority of the Security Council members on board, but right now that is not the case. The majority of the Security Council members are not on board for a second resolution.
So, Tony Blair today is continuing what will be an intense two weeks of diplomacy, frantically trying to get a consensus on this second resolution. He goes before the House of Commons today. He has a general speech. This will not be a speech about going to war. It will be a general speech about his Iraq policy over the years, and how he believes Saddam Hussein has failed to meet all of the Security Council resolutions.
He faces something of a revolt from back benches; in other words, party members, his own party members. Although, let's be quite clear on this, there are something like 659 members of parliament in total in England, and the majority will be behind Blair, not only some of his own party, but also the opposition, Tories, who believe in a possible military option.
So, while this is not make or break for his political career, it is nonetheless important in terms of public opinion.
As we've said, the majority of the Security Council and countries around the world oppose war right now. These are being led by France and Germany. The president of those countries, the leaders of those countries, Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder, met in Germany last night. And almost simultaneously, as this draft resolution by the U.S. and the U.K. was tabled in New York, they came up with their own alternative, and that was not to authorize war, but to continue the arms inspections and to give much longer time for President Saddam Hussein to disarm peacefully.
This is what Jacques Chirac had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRES. JACQUES CHIRAC, FRANCE (through translator): We have a common approach between Germany and France, but also the majority of members of the Security Council of the U.N. We learned about the draft resolution. In fact, we don't see anything in the present situation to justify a new resolution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AMANPOUR: So, there you have it. The French leading the anti- war coalition, if you like, to try to give more time and to try to bring more robust inspections to Iraq. The U.S. and the U.K. trying to get this resolution voted on, and as I say, Tony Blair leading this international effort here on this side of the Atlantic to try to get a majority of people -- Security Council members on board. We'll see how it shapes out.
Back to you -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes, we will. Christiane Amanpour reporting live from London 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.
