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Iraq Braces for War Despite Agreeing to Admit Inspectors
Aired September 18, 2002 - 14:05 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Iraq's decision to readmit weapons inspectors surprised almost everyone. It was welcomed by some, and viewed with skepticism by others. The U.S. in particular says Saddam Hussein can't be trusted. So, what is Iraq's take?
Rula Amin joins us live from Baghdad now.
Rula, there has been a lot of talk about weapons inspectors coming in to Iraq. This note that went to the UN says they're welcome but will they receive unfettered access?
RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, what the Iraqi officials have been saying is that they are -- have accepted the return of the inspectors without conditions. They have not mentioned the words "unfettered access" yet, but Iraqi officials off the record say when they say without conditions, that means that they will give them all the kind of access, that they are not going to put any restrictions. This is going to be a crucial issue, when the inspectors get here and it's a challenge Iraq says it is up to -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Rula, meanwhile the mood in Baghdad. Are the people there bracing for a war?
AMIN: They are. They definitely are. Iraq deputy prime minister today made it clear that Iraq's decision to allow the inspectors back in may not be enough to avert war. They accuse the United States of using the weapons of mass destruction issue as a pretext. So they say they expect a war anyway, that they will do everything they can to prepare for what they call the worst, which is war, and that they will do everything to defend their people. However, they are getting encouraging signals from the Russians, the French and the Chinese who say maybe there is no need now to go further in a new, tough resolution. Let's test Iraq, let's challenge it. Let's send the inspectors back in. If the Iraqis don't comply, if they don't give them access, then we will act -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Rula Amin from Baghdad, thank you
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 18, 2002 - 14:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Iraq's decision to readmit weapons inspectors surprised almost everyone. It was welcomed by some, and viewed with skepticism by others. The U.S. in particular says Saddam Hussein can't be trusted. So, what is Iraq's take?
Rula Amin joins us live from Baghdad now.
Rula, there has been a lot of talk about weapons inspectors coming in to Iraq. This note that went to the UN says they're welcome but will they receive unfettered access?
RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, what the Iraqi officials have been saying is that they are -- have accepted the return of the inspectors without conditions. They have not mentioned the words "unfettered access" yet, but Iraqi officials off the record say when they say without conditions, that means that they will give them all the kind of access, that they are not going to put any restrictions. This is going to be a crucial issue, when the inspectors get here and it's a challenge Iraq says it is up to -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Rula, meanwhile the mood in Baghdad. Are the people there bracing for a war?
AMIN: They are. They definitely are. Iraq deputy prime minister today made it clear that Iraq's decision to allow the inspectors back in may not be enough to avert war. They accuse the United States of using the weapons of mass destruction issue as a pretext. So they say they expect a war anyway, that they will do everything they can to prepare for what they call the worst, which is war, and that they will do everything to defend their people. However, they are getting encouraging signals from the Russians, the French and the Chinese who say maybe there is no need now to go further in a new, tough resolution. Let's test Iraq, let's challenge it. Let's send the inspectors back in. If the Iraqis don't comply, if they don't give them access, then we will act -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Rula Amin from Baghdad, thank you
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
