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White House Briefing: U.S. Mulls Liberia Plans
Aired July 02, 2003 - 06:35 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 United States is also considering plans to help stop the civil war in Liberia. Those plans might include sending U.S. troops.
Live to Washington and White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.
Suzanne -- what exactly did Ari Fleisher say?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, you're absolutely right. The Bush administration is weighing all of its options in how to stop the bloodshed in Liberia, including the possibility of sending U.S. troops as part of an international peacekeeping force.
Now, it was just yesterday that the president discussed those options with his national security team, and, as you know, the United States has come under increasing pressure from the United Nations, from West African countries, Britain and France, all to get more directly involved in enforcing the cease-fire between the government and its rebels. The reason why is because of the United States' close and unique relationship with Liberia. This is a country that was founded by freed American slaves.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The United States is actively discussing what the next step should be to help the parties to meet their obligations, to cooperate with the joint verification team that is in place to ensure that the cease-fire holds. A cease- fire has been agreed to with the help of the United States as a party to those talks, and we are actively discussing and reviewing what the next steps may or may not be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, it has been somewhat of an internal debate at the White House. The State Department really wants to see those troops actively involved. Secretary of State Colin Powell having almost daily discussions with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Pentagon a bit more reluctant about getting troops involved, because, of course, already the activity inside of Afghanistan and Iraq.
So, Carol, we'll wait and see. And, as you know, this comes on the heels of the president's trip to Africa next week.
COSTELLO: Suzanne Malveaux live from Washington this morning. Many thanks.
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 July 2, 2003 - 06:35 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The United States is also considering plans to help stop the civil war in Liberia. Those plans might include sending U.S. troops.
Live to Washington and White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.
Suzanne -- what exactly did Ari Fleisher say?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, you're absolutely right. The Bush administration is weighing all of its options in how to stop the bloodshed in Liberia, including the possibility of sending U.S. troops as part of an international peacekeeping force.
Now, it was just yesterday that the president discussed those options with his national security team, and, as you know, the United States has come under increasing pressure from the United Nations, from West African countries, Britain and France, all to get more directly involved in enforcing the cease-fire between the government and its rebels. The reason why is because of the United States' close and unique relationship with Liberia. This is a country that was founded by freed American slaves.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The United States is actively discussing what the next step should be to help the parties to meet their obligations, to cooperate with the joint verification team that is in place to ensure that the cease-fire holds. A cease- fire has been agreed to with the help of the United States as a party to those talks, and we are actively discussing and reviewing what the next steps may or may not be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, it has been somewhat of an internal debate at the White House. The State Department really wants to see those troops actively involved. Secretary of State Colin Powell having almost daily discussions with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Pentagon a bit more reluctant about getting troops involved, because, of course, already the activity inside of Afghanistan and Iraq.
So, Carol, we'll wait and see. And, as you know, this comes on the heels of the president's trip to Africa next week.
COSTELLO: Suzanne Malveaux live from Washington this morning. Many thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
