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Bush Meets With Ariel Sharon This Afternoon
Aired October 16, 2002 - 13:20 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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: It's pretty clear that President Bush was trying to tell the United Nations that Americans are united on using force against Saddam Hussein. He made sure he signed the resolution passed by Congress authorizing him to do just that while surrounded by congressional members.
This afternoon, the president meets with Israel's prime minister, and Kelly Wallace is our White House correspondent there -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The White House definitely strategy on full display today, trying to use that congressional backing as much as possible to put as much pressure as possible on the United Nations, and that is why the president hosted that elaborate signing ceremony in the East Room, surrounded by members of his national security team, as well as Democrats and Republicans. The president calling on the United Nations to act. He says every country that lives in denial could one day be forced to live in fear.
But then he also had a message for concerned U.S. allies who believe this president is rushing the world community into a war against Saddam Hussein.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNTIED STATES: With this resolution Congress has now authorized the use of force. I have not ordered the use of force. I hope the use of force will not become necessary, yet confronting the threat posed by Iraq is necessary by whatever means that requires.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Now, the timing of the president's words no accident. He is hoping to influence the debate under way up at the United Nations. This administration, though, still facing an uphill battle trying to get support from countries such as France, China and Russia, all with veto power, all who could kill a U.N. resolution to back this tough, new resolution the administration wants, one that would be backed up with military force.
Now, as for the meeting later today with Prime Minister Sharon of Israel, it will be the seventh face-to-face session between the two men in the Oval office. The subject of Iraq definitely to come up. What the president is likely to do is encourage the prime minister to talk as little as possible publicly about any Israeli retaliation against Iraq if Saddam Hussein decides to attack Israel. Israelis have made it clear that while they did not retaliate in 1991 in the Gulf War, this time around they say if they are attacked by Iraq, they will. The administration certainly would prefer the Israelis don't get involved if there is military action, but they also prefer the Israelis talk as little as possible about this, knowing such talks could really complicate efforts to get Arab support for any possible war against Iraq -- Carol.
LIN: But, Kelly, the fear is that if Iraq does attack Israel, and Israel strikes back, that this will lead to a wider war around the Middle East. Isn't it possible, and isn't it probable that the president and the prime minister will be talking about rules of engagement should that actually happen?
WALLACE: Well, you know, U.S. officials will say the president has not decided on military action, Carol, so, therefore, it's premature to talk about that. But you can bet there is a discussion under way between U.S. and Israeli officials about just that. No question this administration would want Israel not to get involved, just like during the '91 Gulf War, and let the U.S. and the U.S.-led coalition deal with it, clearly knowing that this could sort of blow up into a wider conflict in the Middle East.
But again, U.S. officials say all this talk is premature. At least for now, they want to get the talk of this to a minimum so as not to affect any coalition building down the road -- Carol.
WALLACE: Thank you very much. That meeting scheduled to begin in about an hour and 20 minutes. Kelly Wallace, live at the White House.
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 16, 2002 - 13:20 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: It's pretty clear that President Bush was trying to tell the United Nations that Americans are united on using force against Saddam Hussein. He made sure he signed the resolution passed by Congress authorizing him to do just that while surrounded by congressional members.
This afternoon, the president meets with Israel's prime minister, and Kelly Wallace is our White House correspondent there -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The White House definitely strategy on full display today, trying to use that congressional backing as much as possible to put as much pressure as possible on the United Nations, and that is why the president hosted that elaborate signing ceremony in the East Room, surrounded by members of his national security team, as well as Democrats and Republicans. The president calling on the United Nations to act. He says every country that lives in denial could one day be forced to live in fear.
But then he also had a message for concerned U.S. allies who believe this president is rushing the world community into a war against Saddam Hussein.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNTIED STATES: With this resolution Congress has now authorized the use of force. I have not ordered the use of force. I hope the use of force will not become necessary, yet confronting the threat posed by Iraq is necessary by whatever means that requires.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Now, the timing of the president's words no accident. He is hoping to influence the debate under way up at the United Nations. This administration, though, still facing an uphill battle trying to get support from countries such as France, China and Russia, all with veto power, all who could kill a U.N. resolution to back this tough, new resolution the administration wants, one that would be backed up with military force.
Now, as for the meeting later today with Prime Minister Sharon of Israel, it will be the seventh face-to-face session between the two men in the Oval office. The subject of Iraq definitely to come up. What the president is likely to do is encourage the prime minister to talk as little as possible publicly about any Israeli retaliation against Iraq if Saddam Hussein decides to attack Israel. Israelis have made it clear that while they did not retaliate in 1991 in the Gulf War, this time around they say if they are attacked by Iraq, they will. The administration certainly would prefer the Israelis don't get involved if there is military action, but they also prefer the Israelis talk as little as possible about this, knowing such talks could really complicate efforts to get Arab support for any possible war against Iraq -- Carol.
LIN: But, Kelly, the fear is that if Iraq does attack Israel, and Israel strikes back, that this will lead to a wider war around the Middle East. Isn't it possible, and isn't it probable that the president and the prime minister will be talking about rules of engagement should that actually happen?
WALLACE: Well, you know, U.S. officials will say the president has not decided on military action, Carol, so, therefore, it's premature to talk about that. But you can bet there is a discussion under way between U.S. and Israeli officials about just that. No question this administration would want Israel not to get involved, just like during the '91 Gulf War, and let the U.S. and the U.S.-led coalition deal with it, clearly knowing that this could sort of blow up into a wider conflict in the Middle East.
But again, U.S. officials say all this talk is premature. At least for now, they want to get the talk of this to a minimum so as not to affect any coalition building down the road -- Carol.
WALLACE: Thank you very much. That meeting scheduled to begin in about an hour and 20 minutes. Kelly Wallace, live at the White House.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
