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CNN Live At Daybreak

Iraq Agrees in Principle to Destroy Missiles

Aired February 28, 2003 - 06:03   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 want to talk more on the latest news out of Iraq. Around 4:50 Eastern Time, we got word that Iraq may begin destroying those Al Samoud missiles by tomorrow.
We take you live to the center of the controversy, Baghdad, and Rym Brahimi.

How did you find out about this -- Rym?

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, we just heard from Iraqi sources, and from the Iraqi sources that Iraqi did agree indeed in principle to destroy those missiles. The agreement also confirms that in Iraq's view, this decision or this request by chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix is seen as unfair, unjust, and also political motivated.

Now, we also know, Carol, from the same sources that Iraq may begin that destruction tomorrow. Tomorrow, of course, the 1st of March being the deadline imposed by chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix.

And we've also heard from U.N. sources that a letter was written by President Saddam Hussein's top scientific advisor to Hans Blix in which he did say that Iraq had agreed in principle to destroy those missiles. That letter also said that the request was unfair. It also said that it wasn't based on any scientific evidence, the allegation that the Samoud missiles went beyond the range authorized by the U.N. That said, the agreement was there, and Iraq was also asking for technical help as to how to destroy those missiles.

Now, we also know that Dimitrios Perricos, Hans Blix's deputy, is in Baghdad. He's planning to stay here to verify that destruction, from what we understand -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Rym Brahimi reporting live from Baghdad. Many thanks to you.

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 28, 2003 - 06:03   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We want to talk more on the latest news out of Iraq. Around 4:50 Eastern Time, we got word that Iraq may begin destroying those Al Samoud missiles by tomorrow.
We take you live to the center of the controversy, Baghdad, and Rym Brahimi.

How did you find out about this -- Rym?

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, we just heard from Iraqi sources, and from the Iraqi sources that Iraqi did agree indeed in principle to destroy those missiles. The agreement also confirms that in Iraq's view, this decision or this request by chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix is seen as unfair, unjust, and also political motivated.

Now, we also know, Carol, from the same sources that Iraq may begin that destruction tomorrow. Tomorrow, of course, the 1st of March being the deadline imposed by chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix.

And we've also heard from U.N. sources that a letter was written by President Saddam Hussein's top scientific advisor to Hans Blix in which he did say that Iraq had agreed in principle to destroy those missiles. That letter also said that the request was unfair. It also said that it wasn't based on any scientific evidence, the allegation that the Samoud missiles went beyond the range authorized by the U.N. That said, the agreement was there, and Iraq was also asking for technical help as to how to destroy those missiles.

Now, we also know that Dimitrios Perricos, Hans Blix's deputy, is in Baghdad. He's planning to stay here to verify that destruction, from what we understand -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Rym Brahimi reporting live from Baghdad. Many thanks to you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.