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CNN Live At Daybreak

Options For U.S. Concerning Iraq Are Limited and Problematic

Aired November 28, 2001 - 05:30   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush's tough words on Iraq this week underscore a shift in administration strategy against Saddam Hussein.

Our National Security Correspondent David Ensor takes a look at the options for the U.S. and the problems with each of those options.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The likelihood Iraq's leader has resumed making weapons of mass destruction after kicking out U.N. arms inspectors in 1998 was a problem for Washington even before September 11th. It is even more of one now, in the view of some senior administration officials.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He ought to let the inspectors back in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)

BUSH: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If he does not do that sir, what will be the consequences? If he does not do that, what will be the consequences?

BUSH: That's up -- he'll find out.

ENSOR: Despite the president's words, senior administration officials say in fact he has not yet decided what those consequences should be. There are a number of options.

One, convince Russia to allow the U.N. security council to impose so-called smart economic sanctions on Iraq to replace the current one said to expire this week, which hurt the Iraqi people too much, don't stop contraband well enough. Officials say if no deal is made by Friday, the existing sanctions will be renewed for another six months.

Option two, arm the opposition, the Iraqi National Congress, the Shiites, and the Kurds in the north, help them create safe zones in the north and south. Downside, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are firmly opposed, fearing the breakup of Iraq as a nation.

GEOFF KEMP, NIXON CENTER: And if what follows is chaos, then for the countries in the neighborhood, this is not a very pleasant option. In fact, it worries them to death.

ENSOR: Option three, bomb sites in Iraq where weapons of mass destruction programs are suspected. Downside, intelligence officials say many of the sites are near or under hospitals, schools and residential areas. And when the Clinton administration tried to destroy most of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction from the air alone, back in 1998, intelligence officials later estimated only 40 percent of Saddam's WMD sites were hit.

Option four, an invasion with ground troops. Downside, a long commitment to nation building and American casualties.

KEMP: Now if he has any WMD in Iraq, and he is on the verge of being defeated, there is a high probability he will use them. Who will he use them against -- the invading forces and Israel.

ENSOR: Senior administration officials say the president is nowhere near deciding which option or options to select, but that doing more is not an option. For now, they say, Mr. Bush is quite content to let Saddam Hussein and everyone else keep guessing what he plans to do on Iraq.

David Ensor, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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