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CNN Live Saturday

Bush Dares U.N. to Show Backbone in Dealing With Iraq

Aired September 14, 2002 - 18:18   ET

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

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: In a showdown with Iraq, President Bush is working the diplomatic background with key members of the United Nations, daring them to show backbone in dealing with Saddam Hussein. CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace on what the president had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Meeting with the Italian prime minister at Camp David, President Bush used some of his toughest talk yet, calling on the U.N. to show some "backbone" and deal with Saddam Hussein.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And enough is enough. The U.N. will either be able to function as a peace-keeping body, as we head into the 21st century, or it will be irrelevant. And that's what we're about to find out.

WALLACE: The president said Iraq has defied the U.N. 16 times since the Gulf War and that if the world body does not get the Iraqi leader to disarm, he is prepared to act alone.

BUSH: Make no mistake about it, we have to deal with the problem, we'll deal with it.

WALLACE: And that is the Bush strategy. Make the case that the administration prefers to have international support for a possible military action, but does not believe such support is essential.

DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is deemed to be such an important issue and such an important problem that we will address it by ourselves if we have to.

WALLACE: But even a staunch ally, like Italy, does not believe the U.S. should go it alone and welcomes the president's decision to work through the United Nations.

SILVIO BERLUSCONI, ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER (through translator): As was stated clearly, the United Nations cannot continue to see its image undermined and its resolutions flaunted.

WALLACE: Iraq's deputy prime minister says his country would only let U.N. weapons inspectors back in if such a move would guarantee no U.S. attack. Iraq charges Washington and London are simply looking for war. TARIQ AZIZ, IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: The U.S. government and the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) don't want to reach, don't want to allow the Security Council to reach (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: The White House officials dismiss those comments and believe the president is making progress in convincing world leaders that Saddam Hussein must be dealt with. But Mr. Bush still faces a formidable challenge convincing U.S. allies and U.S. lawmakers that military action, ultimately, might be necessary -- Carol.

LIN: All right. Thank you very much, Kelly Wallace, live at the White House tonight.

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