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CNN Live Today
Security Council Mulls Second Resolution
Aired February 27, 2003 - 10:33 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, as we mentioned, we are standing by -- we are watching the Security Council meeting today for the first time to consider the second resolution -- and we're looking at a picture of the Syrian ambassador at the mics right now. We saw the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Negroponte, just walk on by, did not stop to make any comments, went right into the meeting. We have our Richard Roth standing by with more on this -- Richard, hello.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Yes, the Security Council minutes way from discussing for the first time as a group behind closed doors this new proposed resolution on Iraq.
Syria's ambassador Mikhail Wehbe now speaking to the press. Syria strongly opposed to this resolution, though it agreed with the other 14 members last November on a resolution threatening Iraq with serious consequences if Baghdad failed to comply with the resolution.
But now, Syria is joining with France, Russia, China, and Germany saying now is not the time for any type of military action, let's give the inspectors more time. U.S. ambassador to the U.N. John Negroponte walked in, didn't say anything.
Last night, he was at a meeting with all the nonpermanent members, trying to woo, rally support to get enough votes. The U.S., Daryn, needs nine votes in favor, without any vetoes to have this resolution pass.
We're not expecting a vote until chief weapons inspector Hans Blix delivers his latest oral report on March 7. His written report, a quarterly chronology update, not expected to have anything new, especially because the weapons inspections agency is awaiting Baghdad and whether it plans to dismantle those Al-Samoud 2 missiles starting this Saturday -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Richard, of those nine votes that the U.S. needs, where do they stand right now in terms of votes?
ROTH: Four in favor: U.S., U.K., Spain, and Bulgaria. Diplomats say Mexico may be leaning the U.S. way. Washington has diplomats fanning out around the globe to places as far flung as Beijing to Angola, all in a quest to woo support. The U.S. has a lot cards to play: economic, political support, and a lot of nations do not want to be -- quote -- "on the wrong side."
But of course, nobody knows the outcome of any type of political conflict. The U.S. would like to see a vote in the Security Council between March and March 14, not wasting any time after Blix's latest report.
The full council is not in yet. These discussions will go on through the morning. No vote, nothing really to be decided here. Bulgaria's ambassador is currently at the microphone. Bulgaria, of course, is on the United States' side -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Richard Roth at the United Nations. Thank you so much -- Leon.
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 27, 2003 - 10:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, as we mentioned, we are standing by -- we are watching the Security Council meeting today for the first time to consider the second resolution -- and we're looking at a picture of the Syrian ambassador at the mics right now. We saw the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Negroponte, just walk on by, did not stop to make any comments, went right into the meeting. We have our Richard Roth standing by with more on this -- Richard, hello.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Yes, the Security Council minutes way from discussing for the first time as a group behind closed doors this new proposed resolution on Iraq.
Syria's ambassador Mikhail Wehbe now speaking to the press. Syria strongly opposed to this resolution, though it agreed with the other 14 members last November on a resolution threatening Iraq with serious consequences if Baghdad failed to comply with the resolution.
But now, Syria is joining with France, Russia, China, and Germany saying now is not the time for any type of military action, let's give the inspectors more time. U.S. ambassador to the U.N. John Negroponte walked in, didn't say anything.
Last night, he was at a meeting with all the nonpermanent members, trying to woo, rally support to get enough votes. The U.S., Daryn, needs nine votes in favor, without any vetoes to have this resolution pass.
We're not expecting a vote until chief weapons inspector Hans Blix delivers his latest oral report on March 7. His written report, a quarterly chronology update, not expected to have anything new, especially because the weapons inspections agency is awaiting Baghdad and whether it plans to dismantle those Al-Samoud 2 missiles starting this Saturday -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Richard, of those nine votes that the U.S. needs, where do they stand right now in terms of votes?
ROTH: Four in favor: U.S., U.K., Spain, and Bulgaria. Diplomats say Mexico may be leaning the U.S. way. Washington has diplomats fanning out around the globe to places as far flung as Beijing to Angola, all in a quest to woo support. The U.S. has a lot cards to play: economic, political support, and a lot of nations do not want to be -- quote -- "on the wrong side."
But of course, nobody knows the outcome of any type of political conflict. The U.S. would like to see a vote in the Security Council between March and March 14, not wasting any time after Blix's latest report.
The full council is not in yet. These discussions will go on through the morning. No vote, nothing really to be decided here. Bulgaria's ambassador is currently at the microphone. Bulgaria, of course, is on the United States' side -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Richard Roth at the United Nations. Thank you so much -- Leon.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
