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CNN Live Saturday
President Bush: Iraq Is Making Progress, Coalition Has A Clear Strategy For Reconstrution
Aired October 11, 2003 - 16:15 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.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Several developments in Iraq today. In Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, American troops carried out several raids, seizing dozens of weapons and detaining at least six people. And near the city of Kirkuk, coalition officials tell CNN that yesterday's oil pipeline fire appears to be the result of a pipeline break and not sabotage.
Despite a steady drum beat of violent incidents in Iraq, President Bush insists Iraq is making progress, and the coalition has a clear strategy for reconstruction. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us live with that story.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well Renay, the White House is fully engaged in its public relations campaign to try to convince Americans that, yes, it was worth it to go to war, that this administration made the right decision. President Bush today in his weekly radio address outlining, making his case to the American people, saying the administration is going after the terrorist organizations, that there is progress inside of Iraq, that they are rebuilding Iraq's economy as well as going after Saddam Hussein and rebuilding those utilities.
Now, the president's saying that all of this is not just in the Iraqi people's interest, but also in U.S. interest as well.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDTION OF THE UNITED STATES: Free nations are peaceful nations. By promoting freedom and hope in other lands, we remove direct threats to the American people. Our actions in Iraq will increase our safety for years to come.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now this aggressive campaign is not quieting the critics, however. A group in Malaysia, a meeting among the largest Muslim political group in the world, saying that one of their top priorities -- and I'm quoting here -- is going to be the eviction of foreign forces from Iraq, allowing the United Nations to administer Iraqi affairs.
Also at home as well, Democrats issuing a blistering response to President Bush's address.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: While the battle to oust Saddam Hussein was well planned and well executed, the president did not plan well for the winning the peace and for rebuilding the nation. There has been little support from the international community and our troops have been taken almost all the risk, and American taxpayers have been paying all the bills. To be successful, the president's go it alone strategy must end.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now today Secretary of State Colin Powell was on the phone with his Russian counterpart, trying to negotiate the terms of a new U.N. Security Council resolution to try and attract aid as well as troops in this Iraqi reconstruction effort. It is still uncertain where that is now -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: Suzanne Malveaux is live at the White House. Thank you, Suzanne.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Clear Strategy For Reconstrution>
Aired October 11, 2003 - 16:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Several developments in Iraq today. In Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, American troops carried out several raids, seizing dozens of weapons and detaining at least six people. And near the city of Kirkuk, coalition officials tell CNN that yesterday's oil pipeline fire appears to be the result of a pipeline break and not sabotage.
Despite a steady drum beat of violent incidents in Iraq, President Bush insists Iraq is making progress, and the coalition has a clear strategy for reconstruction. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us live with that story.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well Renay, the White House is fully engaged in its public relations campaign to try to convince Americans that, yes, it was worth it to go to war, that this administration made the right decision. President Bush today in his weekly radio address outlining, making his case to the American people, saying the administration is going after the terrorist organizations, that there is progress inside of Iraq, that they are rebuilding Iraq's economy as well as going after Saddam Hussein and rebuilding those utilities.
Now, the president's saying that all of this is not just in the Iraqi people's interest, but also in U.S. interest as well.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDTION OF THE UNITED STATES: Free nations are peaceful nations. By promoting freedom and hope in other lands, we remove direct threats to the American people. Our actions in Iraq will increase our safety for years to come.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now this aggressive campaign is not quieting the critics, however. A group in Malaysia, a meeting among the largest Muslim political group in the world, saying that one of their top priorities -- and I'm quoting here -- is going to be the eviction of foreign forces from Iraq, allowing the United Nations to administer Iraqi affairs.
Also at home as well, Democrats issuing a blistering response to President Bush's address.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: While the battle to oust Saddam Hussein was well planned and well executed, the president did not plan well for the winning the peace and for rebuilding the nation. There has been little support from the international community and our troops have been taken almost all the risk, and American taxpayers have been paying all the bills. To be successful, the president's go it alone strategy must end.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now today Secretary of State Colin Powell was on the phone with his Russian counterpart, trying to negotiate the terms of a new U.N. Security Council resolution to try and attract aid as well as troops in this Iraqi reconstruction effort. It is still uncertain where that is now -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: Suzanne Malveaux is live at the White House. Thank you, Suzanne.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Clear Strategy For Reconstrution>
