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White House Denies Plan for Iraq Occupation
Aired October 11, 2002 - 14:09 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: Moving to the White House, it's casting doubt on a "New York Times" report about a postwar plan for a U.S. military occupation of Iraq.
More now from White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, President Bush earlier today was talking about the progress inside of Afghanistan. The Fund for Afghan Children, when American kids give a dollar a piece, that fund at $10.5 million. The president focusing on the progress inside of that country, the first phase of the war on terror.
But this administration also focused on the second phase of the war on terror; that is confronting Saddam Hussein. President Bush very pleased with the congressional resolution that gives him the authority to use military force against Saddam Hussein if necessary.
The question today is what would a post-Saddam regime look like. Well, "The New York Times" this morning reporting that one option the Bush administration is considering is an American military occupation of Iraq while it develops some diplomatic institutions. White House aides really taking issue with that characterization. White House spokesperson Ari Fleischer earlier today saying if the U.S. military was on the ground inside of Iraq, it would be part of the United Nations or international peacekeeping force perhaps exercising some civil service duties. Earlier today President Bush used U.S. Military action inside of Afghanistan to make the case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We've also got a great tradition, not only of recognizing freedom of religion and respecting religion, we've got a great tradition of liberating people, not conquering them. It's very important for our citizens to remember that as we upheld that doctrine that said if you harbor a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists, that we went into Afghanistan to free people because we believe in freedom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The administration is certainly emphasizing they have not made up their minds. They are looking at all options. They really want people to keep that in mind. The focus now, of course, is getting the UN Security Council members to vote on a tough new UN resolution calling for Saddam Hussein to comply or perhaps face military action -- Kyra All right, Suzanne Malveaux, thank you very much.
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 11, 2002 - 14:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Moving to the White House, it's casting doubt on a "New York Times" report about a postwar plan for a U.S. military occupation of Iraq.
More now from White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, President Bush earlier today was talking about the progress inside of Afghanistan. The Fund for Afghan Children, when American kids give a dollar a piece, that fund at $10.5 million. The president focusing on the progress inside of that country, the first phase of the war on terror.
But this administration also focused on the second phase of the war on terror; that is confronting Saddam Hussein. President Bush very pleased with the congressional resolution that gives him the authority to use military force against Saddam Hussein if necessary.
The question today is what would a post-Saddam regime look like. Well, "The New York Times" this morning reporting that one option the Bush administration is considering is an American military occupation of Iraq while it develops some diplomatic institutions. White House aides really taking issue with that characterization. White House spokesperson Ari Fleischer earlier today saying if the U.S. military was on the ground inside of Iraq, it would be part of the United Nations or international peacekeeping force perhaps exercising some civil service duties. Earlier today President Bush used U.S. Military action inside of Afghanistan to make the case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We've also got a great tradition, not only of recognizing freedom of religion and respecting religion, we've got a great tradition of liberating people, not conquering them. It's very important for our citizens to remember that as we upheld that doctrine that said if you harbor a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists, that we went into Afghanistan to free people because we believe in freedom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The administration is certainly emphasizing they have not made up their minds. They are looking at all options. They really want people to keep that in mind. The focus now, of course, is getting the UN Security Council members to vote on a tough new UN resolution calling for Saddam Hussein to comply or perhaps face military action -- Kyra All right, Suzanne Malveaux, thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
