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CNN Live Saturday

President Bush Monitors Situation in Iraq

Aired August 03, 2002 - 12:09   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The head of the Senate Intelligence Committee reportedly says there should be a pre-emptive attack on Iraq. Richard Shelby tells the Associated Press he believes Iraq is developing weapons of mass destruction.

And President Bush has said over and over again that he believes that's the case, and he wants Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein out. Mr. Bush is monitoring the situation even as he vacations in Maine, and that's where our Kelly Wallace is now. Hi there, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka. You might hear some music in the background. I'm here at the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, where there's a wedding reception not far away.

You could see the White House, Fredricka, really dismissing this move by the Iraqis, although it could, could, complicate the administration's plans, because if weapons inspectors are allowed back into the country, some allies who are already against any military action will argue the administration really doesn't have any ground to proceed.

Now, Saddam Hussein a challenge for the current president; he certainly was a challenge for the former president as well. In fact, yesterday marks 12 years since Iraq invaded Kuwait, and that led to, of course, the Persian Gulf War. The former president and the current president both on the golf course today. And you could see, if you get a look there, you see there the former president. He has some red marks on his face. We are told that he had treatment for some lesions caused from exposure to the sun. We're told the former president is fine, that those are not skin cancers.

Now, the current president enjoying a weekend here in Kennebunkport. Next week he heads to Crawford, Texas for a month-long get-away, but even as he left and even as lawmakers left town, lots of questions about the administration's plans for Iraq. Senate committee holding hearings this week talking about this issue.

One concern coming out: Some lawmakers, in particular Democrats, very much want this president to go to Congress and get approval before mounting any military action against Iraq. Here is Senator Carl Levin, who appears on CNN's "NOVAK, HUNT AND SHIELDS."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. CARL LEVIN (D), MICHIGAN: The president should clearly get congressional support for this. This is too massive an operation to proceed without it. There's too much at stake, there is too much of a potential for significant casualties.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And when asked if the president would go to Congress and get its support before pursuing any military action, well, U.S. officials say that is simply too premature a question to ask. They say right now, Fredricka, the president has no war plans on his desk -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Kelly Wallace from Kennebunkport, thank you very much.

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