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American Morning

Intense Lobbying Under Way at U.N. From Both Sides on Iraqi Issue

Aired February 27, 2003 - 09:05   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.


PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Of course, intense lobbying under way at the United Nations from both sides on the Iraqi issue. That is the White House keeps the pressure on for disarmament of Iraq. We have two reports for you. Richard Roth reporting live, and John King joining us from the White House.
Good morning, gentlemen. We'll start with Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

In about 90 minutes, for the first time the entire Security Council behind close doors will debate the new proposed resolution by the U.S., United Kingdom and Spain, one that already says Iraq has already failed it's final opportunity to cooperate on disarmament. It's basically an authorization for war, though the U.S. doesn't have the votes yet.

Last evening, at the Spanish mission to the United Nations, the U.S., U.K. gathered various ambassador from the so-called nonpermanent bloc, those who have key swing votes. There's Germany, already deemed either at abstention or a no-vote, but Germany does not have veto on the council.

Syria, already given as an abstention or a negative vote. Syria doesn't have veto power. And here's Pakistan, who could abstain. Pakistan needs U.S. help in regarding terrorism, but so does U.S. need Pakistan's help. And there's Cameron from the African nation, also a key swing vote, a lot of selling going on for the resolution. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., John Negroponte, says the ambassador from the U.S., John Negroponte, says Iraq has ignored the previous resolution.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMB. TO U.N.: The Security Council was offering Iraq, affording it one final opportunity to immediately comply with those obligations, and we don't think that given the negative attitude that Iraq has displayed towards resolution 1441, we don't think that giving Iraq any further time to comply with the resolution has any real meaning.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: Nobody publicly said the vote was changed by that meeting last night. The British ambassador said mutual understanding was increased, if not mutual acceptance. And Hans Blix, Paula, his latest quarterly report has gone to Secretary-General Annan, 17 pages, more of a chronology of events of the last three months.

ZAHN: Richard, quickly here, what do you hear about the Russians? There were a couple of published reports suggesting this morning they will not veto the U.S./British/Spanish resolution, is that true?

ROTH: Well, we won't know until the final moments, but Russia, China are deemed by many diplomats as not likely to veto. No one wants to be the only one left standing when the music stops. Even France's bravado may turn into an abstention. That's the best hope for the U.S. at this time.

ZAHN: Appreciate it so much, Richard Roth, now back to John King at the White House.

Good morning again, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again to you, Paula.

The debate at the U.N. is about disarming Saddam Hussein, and whether inspection or invasion is the right approach to disarm Iraq. Mr. Bush made clear in a speech last night here in Washington that his ambitions do well beyond that. He talked not only about destroying Saddam's weapons programs but removing Saddam Hussein from power, trying to create a new Democracy inside Iraq. Mr. Bush says that will require a long-term commitment from the United States military, and he says a goal of that occupation would be to defend Iraq's borders, protect Iraq's borders and protect its most precious resource, oil.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will provide security against those who try to spread chaos, or settle scores, or threaten the territorial integrity of Iraq. We'll seek to protect Iraq's natural resources from sabotage by a dying regime, and ensure those resources are used for the benefit of the owners, the Iraqi people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: And making his case not only to the American people, but to a global audience as well. Mr. Bush says one reason the United States believes it might have to go to war is to uphold international law, the will of the United Nations, but the president also cast this in moral tones. He said the American people have an obligation in the world to help inspire the freedom of others. Mr. Bush speaking here of the Iraqi people. Many critics around the world quite skeptical that Iraq could be a flourishing democracy, and quite skeptical as to whether it's the right of the United States to impose such a democracy. But Mr. Bush said in that speech last night he is very determined to go forward.

ZAHN: John, any reaction from the White House yet to the Pentagon reporting from Barbara Starr that they confirm they see repositioning of Iraqi troops within that country. KING: White House officials have said they were looking for things like this, they believe that if there is a war, Saddam Hussein wants to make it as bloody a war as possible, and to make it, to raise the stakes for the United States, if you will, by fighting a more urban warfare, which raises the likelihood of civilian casualties. Saddam Hussein believes that would hurt President Bush's standing in public opinion in around the world if you high civilian casualties, so no surprise here at all.

ZAHN: Thanks, John. John King, reporting from the White House 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




Iraqi Issue>


Aired February 27, 2003 - 09:05   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Of course, intense lobbying under way at the United Nations from both sides on the Iraqi issue. That is the White House keeps the pressure on for disarmament of Iraq. We have two reports for you. Richard Roth reporting live, and John King joining us from the White House.
Good morning, gentlemen. We'll start with Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

In about 90 minutes, for the first time the entire Security Council behind close doors will debate the new proposed resolution by the U.S., United Kingdom and Spain, one that already says Iraq has already failed it's final opportunity to cooperate on disarmament. It's basically an authorization for war, though the U.S. doesn't have the votes yet.

Last evening, at the Spanish mission to the United Nations, the U.S., U.K. gathered various ambassador from the so-called nonpermanent bloc, those who have key swing votes. There's Germany, already deemed either at abstention or a no-vote, but Germany does not have veto on the council.

Syria, already given as an abstention or a negative vote. Syria doesn't have veto power. And here's Pakistan, who could abstain. Pakistan needs U.S. help in regarding terrorism, but so does U.S. need Pakistan's help. And there's Cameron from the African nation, also a key swing vote, a lot of selling going on for the resolution. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., John Negroponte, says the ambassador from the U.S., John Negroponte, says Iraq has ignored the previous resolution.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMB. TO U.N.: The Security Council was offering Iraq, affording it one final opportunity to immediately comply with those obligations, and we don't think that given the negative attitude that Iraq has displayed towards resolution 1441, we don't think that giving Iraq any further time to comply with the resolution has any real meaning.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: Nobody publicly said the vote was changed by that meeting last night. The British ambassador said mutual understanding was increased, if not mutual acceptance. And Hans Blix, Paula, his latest quarterly report has gone to Secretary-General Annan, 17 pages, more of a chronology of events of the last three months.

ZAHN: Richard, quickly here, what do you hear about the Russians? There were a couple of published reports suggesting this morning they will not veto the U.S./British/Spanish resolution, is that true?

ROTH: Well, we won't know until the final moments, but Russia, China are deemed by many diplomats as not likely to veto. No one wants to be the only one left standing when the music stops. Even France's bravado may turn into an abstention. That's the best hope for the U.S. at this time.

ZAHN: Appreciate it so much, Richard Roth, now back to John King at the White House.

Good morning again, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again to you, Paula.

The debate at the U.N. is about disarming Saddam Hussein, and whether inspection or invasion is the right approach to disarm Iraq. Mr. Bush made clear in a speech last night here in Washington that his ambitions do well beyond that. He talked not only about destroying Saddam's weapons programs but removing Saddam Hussein from power, trying to create a new Democracy inside Iraq. Mr. Bush says that will require a long-term commitment from the United States military, and he says a goal of that occupation would be to defend Iraq's borders, protect Iraq's borders and protect its most precious resource, oil.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will provide security against those who try to spread chaos, or settle scores, or threaten the territorial integrity of Iraq. We'll seek to protect Iraq's natural resources from sabotage by a dying regime, and ensure those resources are used for the benefit of the owners, the Iraqi people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: And making his case not only to the American people, but to a global audience as well. Mr. Bush says one reason the United States believes it might have to go to war is to uphold international law, the will of the United Nations, but the president also cast this in moral tones. He said the American people have an obligation in the world to help inspire the freedom of others. Mr. Bush speaking here of the Iraqi people. Many critics around the world quite skeptical that Iraq could be a flourishing democracy, and quite skeptical as to whether it's the right of the United States to impose such a democracy. But Mr. Bush said in that speech last night he is very determined to go forward.

ZAHN: John, any reaction from the White House yet to the Pentagon reporting from Barbara Starr that they confirm they see repositioning of Iraqi troops within that country. KING: White House officials have said they were looking for things like this, they believe that if there is a war, Saddam Hussein wants to make it as bloody a war as possible, and to make it, to raise the stakes for the United States, if you will, by fighting a more urban warfare, which raises the likelihood of civilian casualties. Saddam Hussein believes that would hurt President Bush's standing in public opinion in around the world if you high civilian casualties, so no surprise here at all.

ZAHN: Thanks, John. John King, reporting from the White House 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




Iraqi Issue>