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Bush Says Iraq Should Understand U.S. Determination

Aired October 03, 2002 - 13:44   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: More heated talk on Iraq today and President Bush is putting the onus on the U.N. to show its resolve on Baghdad. Mr. Bush says a military assault against Iraq would be a last report, but he adds that Iraq should understand America's determination.
White House correspondent John King joins us from the White House with those details -- Hi, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Kyra. The momentum in Congress for a resolution backing the president is moving the White House way, so as you noted, Mr. Bush is focussed now almost intently on the United Nations.

Still some skepticism, key members in the Security Council like Russia, like France, saying they don't see the need for a tough new resolution as Mr. Bush and Prime Minister Blair of Great Britain are arguing for.

Mr. Bush keeping up the heat today, and making clear that he would like to work through a coalition led by the United Nations, but Mr. Bush also making clear if the U.N. does not rise to the challenge as he sees it, the United States will assemble a coalition outside of the United Nations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My intent is to put together a vast coalition of countries who understand the threat of Saddam Hussein. Military option is my last choice, not my first. It's my last choice. But Saddam has got to understand, the United Nations must know that the will of this country is strong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: U.S. officials say, though, they remain optimistic, despite the public comments from key members of the Security Council, that they will get a resolution to the president's liking within the next week or so.

The White House denying Mr. Bush is growing impatient. Other officials here, though, do say remember when the president gave his speech to the United Nations, he said he wanted this resolved at the U.N. in days and weeks, not months. It has been almost a month since the president spoke there -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: John King, live at the White House. John, thanks so much, we'll check in with you again.

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 October 3, 2002 - 13:44   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: More heated talk on Iraq today and President Bush is putting the onus on the U.N. to show its resolve on Baghdad. Mr. Bush says a military assault against Iraq would be a last report, but he adds that Iraq should understand America's determination.
White House correspondent John King joins us from the White House with those details -- Hi, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Kyra. The momentum in Congress for a resolution backing the president is moving the White House way, so as you noted, Mr. Bush is focussed now almost intently on the United Nations.

Still some skepticism, key members in the Security Council like Russia, like France, saying they don't see the need for a tough new resolution as Mr. Bush and Prime Minister Blair of Great Britain are arguing for.

Mr. Bush keeping up the heat today, and making clear that he would like to work through a coalition led by the United Nations, but Mr. Bush also making clear if the U.N. does not rise to the challenge as he sees it, the United States will assemble a coalition outside of the United Nations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My intent is to put together a vast coalition of countries who understand the threat of Saddam Hussein. Military option is my last choice, not my first. It's my last choice. But Saddam has got to understand, the United Nations must know that the will of this country is strong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: U.S. officials say, though, they remain optimistic, despite the public comments from key members of the Security Council, that they will get a resolution to the president's liking within the next week or so.

The White House denying Mr. Bush is growing impatient. Other officials here, though, do say remember when the president gave his speech to the United Nations, he said he wanted this resolved at the U.N. in days and weeks, not months. It has been almost a month since the president spoke there -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: John King, live at the White House. John, thanks so much, we'll check in with you again.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com