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Iraq, UN Reconsider War

Aired November 14, 2002 - 14:53   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.


MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Other news happening, involving Iraq.
Ottawa, Canada, Secretary of State Colin Powell meeting with the Canadian foreign minister there, Bill Graham. One of the questions posed by reporters was on the issue of weapons inspections and what happens over the debate of whether or not there is a violation. Colin Powell is responding here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECY. OF STATE: And what the resolution says, one, Iraq has been in material breach in the past. It is in material breach in the present, and if you look at the operating paragraph number four, it says that if they do not give us a complete accurate declaration or if there is lack of compliance with the inspectors, that fact, those facts, in and of themselves, constitute a material breach.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: At the White House today, they are looking ahead to December 8 and 23rd because by the 8th, Iraq has to fess up to every little aspect of the weapons program. By the 23rd, U.N. inspectors have to be in place and on the job. The first deadline in the latest U.N. resolution was met by Baghdad, that was yesterday in the typically cryptic fashion. CNN's

Suzanne Malveaux joins us with a view on where things stand.. I get the feeling, Suzanne, the White House not overly optimistic things are going to go smoothly here?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Marty. Really, the White House putting very little stock in what Iraq is saying, but, rather, what it is going to do. The Bush administration looking to the next possible flash point, that's in early December, December 8 when Iraq has to account for any of its elements or components of its weapons program.

The Iraqi leader, rather the letter states that it has no weapons of mass destruction. There are some in the administration that consider that that denial, in and of itself, is a material breach of the U.N. resolution, that it authorizes, gives the United States the green light to use military force against Saddam Hussein, if necessary. It was just yesterday that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan met with President Bush and it became very clear that Mr. Bush has a much lower threshold for what is required to clear the way for military action against Saddam Hussein. What we expect to see is that the United States is not only going to be pushing Iraq, Saddam Hussein to comply, but also for those weapons inspectors to get in there and to prove that Saddam Hussein is lying in that very statement, the letter that he sent saying that there were no weapons of mass destruction, that, yes, he is in material breach of U.N. resolutions, and that that possibly could mean military action against Saddam Hussein. Marty?

SAVIDGE: Suzanne Malveaux live from the White House where the president is putting on the pressure.

During the Gulf War, Kuwait was the central focus of the coalition's fight with Iraq. These days, Kuwait is no longer occupied, but it does play a critical role in preparing for any new confrontation with Iraq. CNN's Kyra Phillips is in Kuwait City now with a live report over the video phone.

How are things there -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Marty.

Well, things are pretty calm right now. First, let's talk about Kuwaiti reaction. I can tell you, a few days ago when we arrived here, Kuwaitis were nervous. They were concerned about a possible war against Iraq and concerned about their economy, their way of life. Memories from the first Gulf War are still very strong here. Even in our hotel room, there's a videotape that sits upon the television set that says "Rebuilding Kuwait, a Documentary" something that has been around for 10 years now.

Now, when the decision did come through out of Iraq, the acceptance of weapons inspectors, I can tell you the Kuwaitis were a bit relieved, however still a bit pessimistic. They think what Saddam says and what he does is definitely a wild card. They want to see if indeed those inspections do take place, and if they do, if there will be any conflicts and confrontation with Iraqi military once they're there.

As Suzanne Malveaux was saying, definitely the reality of a war can still happen and the threat of weapons of mass destruction is still a tremendous concern among the people here.

Meanwhile, talking about troops. All throughout the Persian Gulf, they are training, they are preparing, not much different from what they've been doing in the past 10 years. Just increasing the time that they are out training by air and by sea. And looking to what the president has to say if, indeed, a war will take place. They're just on a stand and wait and see time right now. Marty?

SAVIDGE: Kyra, one last question for you. What is the posture of the Kuwaiti government now? Are they still as reluctant to talk about the U.S. using it for possible strikes against Iraq? PHILLIPS: Well, as you know, and you've spent time out here in the region, we know that Kuwait is a crucial link to any war against Iraq. I mean, it was the United States forces that freed Kuwait, they're definitely a strong ally. They don't really want to talk about it, but in many ways, it's obvious. There are troops all throughout the region and troops coming to and from this area from time to time. Word has it and military sources telling me also officials here in Kuwait, this is a key place, an important place if, indeed, a war does take place. Marty?

SAVIDGE: No doubt about that. Kyra Phillips, live from Kuwait City, 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 November 14, 2002 - 14:53   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Other news happening, involving Iraq.
Ottawa, Canada, Secretary of State Colin Powell meeting with the Canadian foreign minister there, Bill Graham. One of the questions posed by reporters was on the issue of weapons inspections and what happens over the debate of whether or not there is a violation. Colin Powell is responding here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECY. OF STATE: And what the resolution says, one, Iraq has been in material breach in the past. It is in material breach in the present, and if you look at the operating paragraph number four, it says that if they do not give us a complete accurate declaration or if there is lack of compliance with the inspectors, that fact, those facts, in and of themselves, constitute a material breach.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: At the White House today, they are looking ahead to December 8 and 23rd because by the 8th, Iraq has to fess up to every little aspect of the weapons program. By the 23rd, U.N. inspectors have to be in place and on the job. The first deadline in the latest U.N. resolution was met by Baghdad, that was yesterday in the typically cryptic fashion. CNN's

Suzanne Malveaux joins us with a view on where things stand.. I get the feeling, Suzanne, the White House not overly optimistic things are going to go smoothly here?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Marty. Really, the White House putting very little stock in what Iraq is saying, but, rather, what it is going to do. The Bush administration looking to the next possible flash point, that's in early December, December 8 when Iraq has to account for any of its elements or components of its weapons program.

The Iraqi leader, rather the letter states that it has no weapons of mass destruction. There are some in the administration that consider that that denial, in and of itself, is a material breach of the U.N. resolution, that it authorizes, gives the United States the green light to use military force against Saddam Hussein, if necessary. It was just yesterday that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan met with President Bush and it became very clear that Mr. Bush has a much lower threshold for what is required to clear the way for military action against Saddam Hussein. What we expect to see is that the United States is not only going to be pushing Iraq, Saddam Hussein to comply, but also for those weapons inspectors to get in there and to prove that Saddam Hussein is lying in that very statement, the letter that he sent saying that there were no weapons of mass destruction, that, yes, he is in material breach of U.N. resolutions, and that that possibly could mean military action against Saddam Hussein. Marty?

SAVIDGE: Suzanne Malveaux live from the White House where the president is putting on the pressure.

During the Gulf War, Kuwait was the central focus of the coalition's fight with Iraq. These days, Kuwait is no longer occupied, but it does play a critical role in preparing for any new confrontation with Iraq. CNN's Kyra Phillips is in Kuwait City now with a live report over the video phone.

How are things there -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Marty.

Well, things are pretty calm right now. First, let's talk about Kuwaiti reaction. I can tell you, a few days ago when we arrived here, Kuwaitis were nervous. They were concerned about a possible war against Iraq and concerned about their economy, their way of life. Memories from the first Gulf War are still very strong here. Even in our hotel room, there's a videotape that sits upon the television set that says "Rebuilding Kuwait, a Documentary" something that has been around for 10 years now.

Now, when the decision did come through out of Iraq, the acceptance of weapons inspectors, I can tell you the Kuwaitis were a bit relieved, however still a bit pessimistic. They think what Saddam says and what he does is definitely a wild card. They want to see if indeed those inspections do take place, and if they do, if there will be any conflicts and confrontation with Iraqi military once they're there.

As Suzanne Malveaux was saying, definitely the reality of a war can still happen and the threat of weapons of mass destruction is still a tremendous concern among the people here.

Meanwhile, talking about troops. All throughout the Persian Gulf, they are training, they are preparing, not much different from what they've been doing in the past 10 years. Just increasing the time that they are out training by air and by sea. And looking to what the president has to say if, indeed, a war will take place. They're just on a stand and wait and see time right now. Marty?

SAVIDGE: Kyra, one last question for you. What is the posture of the Kuwaiti government now? Are they still as reluctant to talk about the U.S. using it for possible strikes against Iraq? PHILLIPS: Well, as you know, and you've spent time out here in the region, we know that Kuwait is a crucial link to any war against Iraq. I mean, it was the United States forces that freed Kuwait, they're definitely a strong ally. They don't really want to talk about it, but in many ways, it's obvious. There are troops all throughout the region and troops coming to and from this area from time to time. Word has it and military sources telling me also officials here in Kuwait, this is a key place, an important place if, indeed, a war does take place. Marty?

SAVIDGE: No doubt about that. Kyra Phillips, live from Kuwait City, 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