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CNN Live At Daybreak
Why U.N. Vote Was Delayed
Aired October 16, 2003 - 05:07 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: Well, we'll know later this morning if a U.S.-sponsored resolution on Iraq makes it through the U.N. Security Council.
Our man at the U.N., Richard Roth, explains why the vote was delayed.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: High drama at the U.N. Security Council again on Iraq. Just when it appeared the Security Council was, indeed, ready to vote on the latest revised U.S. resolution, the Russian ambassador announced that senior Russian leaders were traveling and that there had to be a conference call between those countries right now strongly concerned about the draft resolution.
SERGEY LAVROV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We have to wait until three presidents discuss the final text, which is on table. And as far as I am concerned, I cannot vote tonight until I hear from my president.
ROTH: The current president of the Security Council happens to be the U.S. ambassador, John Negroponte, who met privately with the Russian ambassador. Meanwhile, journalists cooled their heels by watching important baseball game playoffs on TV, while diplomats huddled inside.
In the end, the U.S. ambassador agreed that a vote would be put off until the morning, though he feels confident Washington has the votes required for passage.
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: I think a major effort has been made by ourselves and the other co-sponsors to take into account the comments that we have heard from other delegations. So I think it proves that we've been listening.
ROTH: While Russia, France and Germany decide whether they want to sign onto this resolution, the U.S. did pick up the support of Pakistan.
MUNIR AKRAM, PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We will support the text, despite some reservations on certain provisions of the text. Our desire has always been to help stabilize Iraq.
ROTH: Some minor tweaks were made to the resolution, but Russia and France still have concerns that the timetable does not provide a swift enough handover of power eventually to the Iraqis. EMYR JONES PARRY, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Our earnest hope is that now the international community can come together, demonstrate very clearly that we're in the business of transferring authority as soon as possible, more and more, to the Iraqis.
ROTH: U.S. Secretary of State Powell is positive that there will be a favorable outcome for the U.S. on this resolution. It's just the final tally remains unknown.
Richard Roth, 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 October 16, 2003 - 05:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we'll know later this morning if a U.S.-sponsored resolution on Iraq makes it through the U.N. Security Council.
Our man at the U.N., Richard Roth, explains why the vote was delayed.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: High drama at the U.N. Security Council again on Iraq. Just when it appeared the Security Council was, indeed, ready to vote on the latest revised U.S. resolution, the Russian ambassador announced that senior Russian leaders were traveling and that there had to be a conference call between those countries right now strongly concerned about the draft resolution.
SERGEY LAVROV, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We have to wait until three presidents discuss the final text, which is on table. And as far as I am concerned, I cannot vote tonight until I hear from my president.
ROTH: The current president of the Security Council happens to be the U.S. ambassador, John Negroponte, who met privately with the Russian ambassador. Meanwhile, journalists cooled their heels by watching important baseball game playoffs on TV, while diplomats huddled inside.
In the end, the U.S. ambassador agreed that a vote would be put off until the morning, though he feels confident Washington has the votes required for passage.
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: I think a major effort has been made by ourselves and the other co-sponsors to take into account the comments that we have heard from other delegations. So I think it proves that we've been listening.
ROTH: While Russia, France and Germany decide whether they want to sign onto this resolution, the U.S. did pick up the support of Pakistan.
MUNIR AKRAM, PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We will support the text, despite some reservations on certain provisions of the text. Our desire has always been to help stabilize Iraq.
ROTH: Some minor tweaks were made to the resolution, but Russia and France still have concerns that the timetable does not provide a swift enough handover of power eventually to the Iraqis. EMYR JONES PARRY, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Our earnest hope is that now the international community can come together, demonstrate very clearly that we're in the business of transferring authority as soon as possible, more and more, to the Iraqis.
ROTH: U.S. Secretary of State Powell is positive that there will be a favorable outcome for the U.S. on this resolution. It's just the final tally remains unknown.
Richard Roth, 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
