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CNN Live Event/Special

U.S.-Backed Resolution Passes Unanimously

Aired October 16, 2003 - 10:48   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.


RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Let's listen here to the formal announcement that we're ready to the vote.
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMB. TO U.N.: We will proceed to a vote on the draft resolution. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

There being no objections it is so decided.

Will those in favor of the draft resolution contained in document S-2003-992 with an asterisk please raise their hand.

The result of the voting is as follows. The draft resolution received 15 votes in favor. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1511 of the year 2003.

KAGAN: And so there you have it, very quick, as you heard the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Negroponte, announce a unanimous vote in favor of this new U.S. backed resolution.

Let's listen to the U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: ... for having reached this significant agreement on what obviously is a particularly important resolution to address a complex situation in Iraq. The process has been difficult, but the outcome is a clear demonstration of the will of all the members of the Security Council to place the interest of the Iraqi people above all other considerations.

Our common objective is to restore peace and stability to a sovereign Democratic and independent Iraq as quickly as possible. It is critical to the Iraqi people, the region, and the entire international community that we succeed in reaching a goal that Iraq is at peace with itself and with its neighbors and is contributing to stability in the region.

As secretary-general, I shall do my utmost to implement the mandate established by the Council, bearing in mind the constraints on building up the required capacity and my obligation to care for the safety and security of United Nations staff.

I am grateful to the Council for the flexibility that the new resolution gives me in this respect.

Although at this moment, the United Nations is only -- has only a skeletal presence on the ground, we are determined to continue helping the Iraqi people as best as we can, both from inside and outside the country, primarily in providing the humanitarian assistance.

As circumstances permit, I plan to proceed with the other tasks indicated in the resolution. I have no doubt that we all look forward to the earliest possible establishment of an elected government that will return Iraq to full sovereignty.

Thank you very much.

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 - 10:48   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Let's listen here to the formal announcement that we're ready to the vote.
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMB. TO U.N.: We will proceed to a vote on the draft resolution. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

There being no objections it is so decided.

Will those in favor of the draft resolution contained in document S-2003-992 with an asterisk please raise their hand.

The result of the voting is as follows. The draft resolution received 15 votes in favor. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1511 of the year 2003.

KAGAN: And so there you have it, very quick, as you heard the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Negroponte, announce a unanimous vote in favor of this new U.S. backed resolution.

Let's listen to the U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: ... for having reached this significant agreement on what obviously is a particularly important resolution to address a complex situation in Iraq. The process has been difficult, but the outcome is a clear demonstration of the will of all the members of the Security Council to place the interest of the Iraqi people above all other considerations.

Our common objective is to restore peace and stability to a sovereign Democratic and independent Iraq as quickly as possible. It is critical to the Iraqi people, the region, and the entire international community that we succeed in reaching a goal that Iraq is at peace with itself and with its neighbors and is contributing to stability in the region.

As secretary-general, I shall do my utmost to implement the mandate established by the Council, bearing in mind the constraints on building up the required capacity and my obligation to care for the safety and security of United Nations staff.

I am grateful to the Council for the flexibility that the new resolution gives me in this respect.

Although at this moment, the United Nations is only -- has only a skeletal presence on the ground, we are determined to continue helping the Iraqi people as best as we can, both from inside and outside the country, primarily in providing the humanitarian assistance.

As circumstances permit, I plan to proceed with the other tasks indicated in the resolution. I have no doubt that we all look forward to the earliest possible establishment of an elected government that will return Iraq to full sovereignty.

Thank you very much.

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