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CNN Live Saturday
White House Dismisses Hussein's Offer to Invite Inspectors
Aired October 12, 2002 - 18:15 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to check in now with Kelly Wallace, because the Bush administration quickly dismissed Iraq's latest declaration and the White House is focusing now and trying to use Congress' backing to get agreement on tough new U.N. resolutions. Here's Kelly Wallace.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Iraqi parliament meets in emergency session -- a response to the U.S. Congress giving President Bush the authority to wage war if necessary.
Meantime, a top adviser to Saddam Hussein sends a letter to U.N. officials. The letter -- an attempt to set the record straight with Iraq saying it will allow weapons inspectors back inside the country.
The White House, though, was not impressed. A senior administration official telling CNN, "The Iraqis keep saying different things. They are playing their same old games of denial, deception and obfuscation."
The White House strategy now -- use its congressional support as leverage to win a tough, new U.N. resolution. The president tried to do that in his weekly radio address.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our country and our Congress are now united in purpose. America is speaking with one voice.
Iraq must disarm and comply with all existing U.N. resolutions or it will be forced to comply.
WALLACE: But the administration still has not fielded an agreement with France, Russia and China -- all countries which could veto and kill any U.N. resolution. The French the hardest sell so far.
On the streets of Paris around 5,000 protesters demonstrating against any possible war with Iraq. The French government continues to push for a two resolution approach.
The first demanding Iraq comply with U.N. disarmament demands. A second resolution possibly addressing the use of force would come later and only if Iraq does not comply.
U.S. officials are cautiously optimistic they will get an agreement soon. One possibility that all sides might be able to live with -- a resolution that says there will be consequences if Iraq does not comply but a resolution that does not include the words "military force."
Kelly Wallace, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Inspectors>
Aired October 12, 2002 - 18:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to check in now with Kelly Wallace, because the Bush administration quickly dismissed Iraq's latest declaration and the White House is focusing now and trying to use Congress' backing to get agreement on tough new U.N. resolutions. Here's Kelly Wallace.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Iraqi parliament meets in emergency session -- a response to the U.S. Congress giving President Bush the authority to wage war if necessary.
Meantime, a top adviser to Saddam Hussein sends a letter to U.N. officials. The letter -- an attempt to set the record straight with Iraq saying it will allow weapons inspectors back inside the country.
The White House, though, was not impressed. A senior administration official telling CNN, "The Iraqis keep saying different things. They are playing their same old games of denial, deception and obfuscation."
The White House strategy now -- use its congressional support as leverage to win a tough, new U.N. resolution. The president tried to do that in his weekly radio address.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our country and our Congress are now united in purpose. America is speaking with one voice.
Iraq must disarm and comply with all existing U.N. resolutions or it will be forced to comply.
WALLACE: But the administration still has not fielded an agreement with France, Russia and China -- all countries which could veto and kill any U.N. resolution. The French the hardest sell so far.
On the streets of Paris around 5,000 protesters demonstrating against any possible war with Iraq. The French government continues to push for a two resolution approach.
The first demanding Iraq comply with U.N. disarmament demands. A second resolution possibly addressing the use of force would come later and only if Iraq does not comply.
U.S. officials are cautiously optimistic they will get an agreement soon. One possibility that all sides might be able to live with -- a resolution that says there will be consequences if Iraq does not comply but a resolution that does not include the words "military force."
Kelly Wallace, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Inspectors>
