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CNN Live Saturday

Iraqi Opposition Meets with Bush Administration

Aired August 10, 2002 - 18:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: And now more pressure today as the U.S. weighs its options against Saddam Hussein. President Bush says he has no imminent war plan for Iraq so it's too early to think about potential U.S. casualties.
CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux looks at the high level meeting to consider Hussein's ouster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Bush outside his Crawford, Texas ranch for a round of golf takes a swing at Saddam Hussein.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I describe him as an enemy until provide otherwise.

MALVEAUX: Reaffirms that the administration has no timetable for deciding on a military strike against Iraq.

BUSH: I have no timetable. What I do believe the American people understand is that weapons of mass destruction in the hands of leaders such as Saddam Hussein are very dangerous for ourselves, our allies . . .

MALVEAUX: Mr. Bush says he is consulting with those international allies and members of Congress on what would be the best course of action to topple Saddam. In Washington Iraqi opposition leaders met with Vice President Dick Cheney through a video link to his home in Wyoming.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld briefly met with the Iraqi delegation in person to show the high level of the administration's support. The discussions focused on establishing cooperation between the Bush administration and Hussein's nemeses.

The opposition leaders pledged to work together to build a post Saddam regime and in return they asked for U.S. support and protection from retribution.

SHARIF ALI BIN HUSSEIN, IRAQI NATIONAL CONGRESS: Part of the request that we asked for was that the protection of the liberated zones in northern Iraq be reiterated and reconfirmed and that measures would be taken to prevent Saddam from taking any preemptive action. MALVEAUX: But the White House recognizes the greater challenge may come after Saddam Hussein is stripped from power - the danger of an Iraq split apart by warring factions.

SIBBLEY TELHAMI, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND: Most of these groups have one thing in common - they would like to get rid of Saddam Hussein. But they have different agendas and obviously their neighbors have different agendas.

MALVEAUX: And to blunt those differences, Iraqi opposition groups say their next step is to send a delegation to Iraq's neighbors to try to win support in toppling Saddam Hussein. Suzanne Malveaux, CNN in Crawford, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Well, the American public may need convincing about going to war against Iraq. Take a look at our new Gallup poll. Fifty-six percent of Americans have a clear idea of why the U.S. is considering new military action against Iraq, but 44 percent say they do not.

Thirty percent say the reason the U.S. may take new military action is because of fear of biological chemical weapons. Thirty percent say it is fear of Iraq sponsored terror attacks.

Sixteen percent say to remove Saddam Hussein from power. Only 13 percent believe Iraq is a threat to the United States. And six percent say Iraq's refusal to cooperate with UN weapons inspections is reason enough for new actions.

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