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CNN Live Saturday

Bush Administration Scoffs at Iraqi Offer

Aired August 03, 2002 - 18:01   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 LIN, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is vacationing in Kennebunkport, Maine this weekend. His administration is scoffing at an offer by Iraq for talks that could lead to weapons inspections.

CNN's Kelly Wallace is traveling with the president and joins us from Kennebunkport, Maine.

Hi, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol. Well just a short time ago, after raising some money from Republicans, President Bush told reporters, "Nothing's changed when it comes to U.S. policy in Iraq." The president went on to say, "I'm a patient man. I'll use all the tools at our disposal."

Now U.S. officials have been saying for the past two days that Iraq's offer to have weapons inspectors come to Baghdad for more talks will not change the administration's ultimate policy and goals. And that is regime changes, bringing about an end to Saddam Hussein's leadership.

Now earlier at this fundraiser for Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who is up for re-election, President Bush never mentions Iraq or Saddam Hussein directly, but he made it very clear he believes Mr. Hussein is a threat who must be dealt with.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We owe it to the future of civilization not to allow the world's worst leaders to develop and deploy and therefore blackmail freedom loving countries with the world's worst weapons. I'm a patient man. I'm a patient man. I've got a lot of tools at my disposal, but I can assure you, I understand history has called us into action. And this country will defend freedom no matter what the cost.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Now the president started his day bright and early on the golf course with his father, the former president, who had his own experience dealing with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Of course it was 12 years ago this month when Iraq invaded Kuwait, paving the way for the Gulf War of 1991. You'll notice a few red marks on the face of the former president. We are told that he had some treatment for some lesions caused by exposure to the sun. we are told they are not skin cancers.

Now the president, his aides, making it very clear they don't think much of this offer by Iraq. They are skeptical. They don't think Iraq is very serious. And some lawmakers agree. Take a listen to Senator Carl Levin, who appeared on CNN's "NOVAK, HUNT, AND SHIELDS."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: I don't think we should be naive about either him or what his intentions are or what kind of an evil person he is. I think we should not be naive about that at all. So he could manipulate inspections. I just think he's likely to open up this country to full inspections.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: That being said, a lot of U.S. allies are speaking out, concerned about a possible U.S. military attack against Iraq. Germany speaking out today, Saudi Arabia, even Russia. To all this, Carol, U.S. officials continue to say President Bush has no war plans on his desk, but it is clear he is considering all tools, including military action to deal with Saddam Hussein -- Carol.

LIN: Kelly, has the president though specifically indicated what would make Saddam Hussein's offer for more discussions about weapons inspectors, what would make it more credible to the administration that Saddam Hussein is actually serious?

WALLACE: Well, number one, they want these weapons inspectors to have what they call unfettered access to the country, that the inspectors should be able to go anyplace, anytime, anywhere, anytime they want. And they don't believe that Iraq will allow this to happen.

But the second thing really gets back to the U.S. policy, which is regime change. You know, U.S. officials say inspections are one thing, making sure the country gets rid of weapons of mass destruction is a big goal, but also this president's very concerned about Saddam Hussein's leadership, and wants to bring an end to that.

Now this is where you have a lot of concerns from U.S. allies, people like King Abdullah of Jordan, just at the White House this week, who believed dialogue, getting inspectors in is the best way to deal with the problem. The president might have a more difficult time getting support for any military action if those inspectors are in because some allies can say look, the problem's being dealt with.

LIN: There you go.

WALLACE: There's no need for military action to remove Saddam Hussein.

LIN: Exactly. All right, thank you very much, Kelly Wallace live in Kennebunkport, Maine. Thank you. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com