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Blix: Not Much Significant New Info in Iraq Report
Aired December 19, 2002 - 13:37 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, another bit of breaking news. Our Richard Roth at the U.N., I understand, has some pretty profound documents that he received, with regard to Hans Blix.
Richard, what do you have?
RICHARD ROTH, SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Well, Hans Blix, publicly and behind closed doors through the briefing notes we have, indicated that there's just not enough confidence gained by Iraq's failure to answer questions on key issues involving chemical, biological and missile programs.
Blix said the overall impression he told the Council, is that not much new significant information has been provided in the declaration. He also noted comments by countries, such as the U.S.. He said while individual countries have stated they have convincing evidence, to the contrary, about Iraq's comment that it has no weapons of mass destruction, the U.N. weapons inspectors at this point are neither in a position to confirm Iraq's statements nor in possession of evidence to disprove it.
And you heard, before microphones there, the IAEA director general saying we need more evidence. We need them to come forward. There is just too many questions and even Hans Blix publicly, before the reporters, said similar words, saying that Iraq has given very little information on its weapons of mass destruction.
And thus, very important to note is that John Negroponte, the U.S. ambassador there, using the term that Washington feels this a material breach. This significant, but it does back off a bit because still, yesterday and today the U.S. is saying we want to work the process through the U.N., giving inspectors more time. Washington hoping that Iraq, perhaps, trips up and interferes directly with the inspectors, which would truly solidify the Security Council under the Security Council resolution language that it was a material breach and would warrant a military confrontation.
Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Richard Roth, thank you so 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 December 19, 2002 - 13:37 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, another bit of breaking news. Our Richard Roth at the U.N., I understand, has some pretty profound documents that he received, with regard to Hans Blix.
Richard, what do you have?
RICHARD ROTH, SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Well, Hans Blix, publicly and behind closed doors through the briefing notes we have, indicated that there's just not enough confidence gained by Iraq's failure to answer questions on key issues involving chemical, biological and missile programs.
Blix said the overall impression he told the Council, is that not much new significant information has been provided in the declaration. He also noted comments by countries, such as the U.S.. He said while individual countries have stated they have convincing evidence, to the contrary, about Iraq's comment that it has no weapons of mass destruction, the U.N. weapons inspectors at this point are neither in a position to confirm Iraq's statements nor in possession of evidence to disprove it.
And you heard, before microphones there, the IAEA director general saying we need more evidence. We need them to come forward. There is just too many questions and even Hans Blix publicly, before the reporters, said similar words, saying that Iraq has given very little information on its weapons of mass destruction.
And thus, very important to note is that John Negroponte, the U.S. ambassador there, using the term that Washington feels this a material breach. This significant, but it does back off a bit because still, yesterday and today the U.S. is saying we want to work the process through the U.N., giving inspectors more time. Washington hoping that Iraq, perhaps, trips up and interferes directly with the inspectors, which would truly solidify the Security Council under the Security Council resolution language that it was a material breach and would warrant a military confrontation.
Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Richard Roth, thank you so 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
