Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Investigation into Bombing at U.N. Headquarters
Aired August 21, 2003 - 05:05 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: To Iraq now and the investigation into the bombing at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad. We're learning just how powerful that bomb was. FBI investigators say a flatbed truck carried as much as a half a ton of explosives to the street outside of the building. Fragments from mortars, artillery shells and grenades have now been recovered from the huge bomb crater. The truck's serial number also has been recovered.
There was a candlelight vigil at the U.N. for the victims of that bombing. About 350 U.N. staffers and the public attended the vigil in the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. The vigil was organized by UNICEF, which lost a staff member in the blast.
Inside the United Nations, a solemn response to the bombing and word that the U.N. will be asked to increase its presence in Iraq.
Our Michael Okwu has more on that for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: According to a U.N. diplomat, the United States is angling for a new resolution that would authorize a multinational police and security force in Iraq.
(voice-over): U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled to discuss the issue with the U.N. secretary general, Kofi Annan, on Thursday morning. This comes on the heels of a dramatic and solemn day at the United Nations. In the midst of offering a public condemnation on the Tuesday attacks, the Security Council shared a moment of silence. You could call it a moment of truth. For weeks, it's been clear that things on the ground have changed for the coalition forces. It is now clear, at least for the time being, that things have also changed for the United Nations.
Regardless, Kofi Annan says the United Nations will not lose its resolve.
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: We will carry on our work, as I have indicated. We shall not be deterred. We do have a responsibility to help stabilize Iraq.
OKWU: U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte implied that, if anything, after the attacks, the partnership between the United Nations and the U.S. is stronger.
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We're gratified by the determination that the secretary general has expressed for the United Nations to continue in its vital mission.
OKWU (on camera): In the meantime, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who has been pushing for a much stronger U.N. mandate in Iraq, is succeeded to meet with Kofi Annan Thursday afternoon.
Michael Okwu, CNN, United Nations.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 August 21, 2003 - 05:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: To Iraq now and the investigation into the bombing at the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad. We're learning just how powerful that bomb was. FBI investigators say a flatbed truck carried as much as a half a ton of explosives to the street outside of the building. Fragments from mortars, artillery shells and grenades have now been recovered from the huge bomb crater. The truck's serial number also has been recovered.
There was a candlelight vigil at the U.N. for the victims of that bombing. About 350 U.N. staffers and the public attended the vigil in the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. The vigil was organized by UNICEF, which lost a staff member in the blast.
Inside the United Nations, a solemn response to the bombing and word that the U.N. will be asked to increase its presence in Iraq.
Our Michael Okwu has more on that for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: According to a U.N. diplomat, the United States is angling for a new resolution that would authorize a multinational police and security force in Iraq.
(voice-over): U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled to discuss the issue with the U.N. secretary general, Kofi Annan, on Thursday morning. This comes on the heels of a dramatic and solemn day at the United Nations. In the midst of offering a public condemnation on the Tuesday attacks, the Security Council shared a moment of silence. You could call it a moment of truth. For weeks, it's been clear that things on the ground have changed for the coalition forces. It is now clear, at least for the time being, that things have also changed for the United Nations.
Regardless, Kofi Annan says the United Nations will not lose its resolve.
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: We will carry on our work, as I have indicated. We shall not be deterred. We do have a responsibility to help stabilize Iraq.
OKWU: U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte implied that, if anything, after the attacks, the partnership between the United Nations and the U.S. is stronger.
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We're gratified by the determination that the secretary general has expressed for the United Nations to continue in its vital mission.
OKWU (on camera): In the meantime, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who has been pushing for a much stronger U.N. mandate in Iraq, is succeeded to meet with Kofi Annan Thursday afternoon.
Michael Okwu, CNN, United Nations.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
