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CNN Live At Daybreak

Clock Ticks Toward Critical Weapons Report

Aired March 07, 2003 - 06:31   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.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get an early briefing now on this showdown with Iraq. President Bush makes it clear he intends to deal with Saddam Hussein with or without U.N. approval. About three- and-a-half hours from now, U.N. weapons chiefs Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei report to the Security Council. And a diplomatic whirlwind is under way behind the scenes. Colin Powell is lobbying for support of a resolution that could lead to war against Iraq.
With the clock ticking toward that critical weapons report, let's see what the feeling is at the U.N. this hour.

To New York and the U.N. now, and our Michael Okwu -- Michael.

MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, good morning.

A U.N. diplomat here says expect a mixed bag from the chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix. Blix making it very clear earlier this week that there will be something in it for everyone, whether you're a county like the United States or the U.K. that wants to go to war pretty soon, or whether you're like France, Russia and China who want inspections to continue for quite some time.

Blix saying that quite recently, the Iraqis have been very cooperative when it comes to destroying their Al Samoud missiles, and also allowing seven scientists to be interviewed unconditionally.

But there are other people who might be doubtful about all of this. Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived here yesterday with a full schedule of bilateral meetings, including meeting with his counterparts from the United Kingdom and Spain. They, of course, are co-sponsors of a second resolution that would essentially authorize war with Iraq.

However the United Nations decides on this, President Bush making it very clear that he will disarm Iraq if he has to.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want the United Nations to be effective. It's important for it to be a robust, capable body. It's important for its words to mean what they say, and as we head into the 21st century, when it comes to our security we really don't need anybody's permission.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OKWU: Now, 11 foreign ministers will be on hand, a deputy foreign minister as well, and also a host of ambassadors. They will all have a moment to have the platform after Mr. Blix makes his presentation. Expect again fireworks -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, indeed. Michael Okwu at the U.N. this morning -- thanks a lot.

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 March 7, 2003 - 06:31   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get an early briefing now on this showdown with Iraq. President Bush makes it clear he intends to deal with Saddam Hussein with or without U.N. approval. About three- and-a-half hours from now, U.N. weapons chiefs Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei report to the Security Council. And a diplomatic whirlwind is under way behind the scenes. Colin Powell is lobbying for support of a resolution that could lead to war against Iraq.
With the clock ticking toward that critical weapons report, let's see what the feeling is at the U.N. this hour.

To New York and the U.N. now, and our Michael Okwu -- Michael.

MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, good morning.

A U.N. diplomat here says expect a mixed bag from the chief weapons inspector, Hans Blix. Blix making it very clear earlier this week that there will be something in it for everyone, whether you're a county like the United States or the U.K. that wants to go to war pretty soon, or whether you're like France, Russia and China who want inspections to continue for quite some time.

Blix saying that quite recently, the Iraqis have been very cooperative when it comes to destroying their Al Samoud missiles, and also allowing seven scientists to be interviewed unconditionally.

But there are other people who might be doubtful about all of this. Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived here yesterday with a full schedule of bilateral meetings, including meeting with his counterparts from the United Kingdom and Spain. They, of course, are co-sponsors of a second resolution that would essentially authorize war with Iraq.

However the United Nations decides on this, President Bush making it very clear that he will disarm Iraq if he has to.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want the United Nations to be effective. It's important for it to be a robust, capable body. It's important for its words to mean what they say, and as we head into the 21st century, when it comes to our security we really don't need anybody's permission.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OKWU: Now, 11 foreign ministers will be on hand, a deputy foreign minister as well, and also a host of ambassadors. They will all have a moment to have the platform after Mr. Blix makes his presentation. Expect again fireworks -- Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, indeed. Michael Okwu at the U.N. this morning -- thanks a lot.

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