Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

White House Believes Iraq Has Not Complied with Resolution

Aired December 18, 2002 - 13:36   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: It's been a busy day for the inspectors. Nine teams headed out to several different sites, including a water plant, paint factory, and missile launch facility. Inspectors also visited Mosul (ph) University and the Saddam dam complex.
As the weapons hunt continues, let's get more on the Bush administration's response to Iraq's declaration. For that, we're joined by White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- hi, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Kyra. The White House making it very clear that they believe Saddam Hussein, Iraq has not complied with the U.N. weapons inspections process, the U.N. Security Council resolution requiring it to disarm, to disclose its potential weapons program.

We have been hearing from White House aides, they have been saying that for days in their initial assessment. We can expect, we are told, perhaps even to hear from the president as early as tomorrow on the issue to explain to the nation why it is that he believes that Iraq fails, is failing the test to declare its weapons program. Ari Fleischer was asked just moments ago how to characterize this, and he gives us somewhat of a preview of what we expect the president to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president is concerned about Iraq's failure to list information in this document. The president is concerned with omissions in this document, and he president is concerned with problems in this document.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, earlier today, President Bush made with the leader of Spain, both of them talking about the importance of fighting the war on terror. But President Bush not taking any questions specifically dealing with Iraq, but White House aides telling us that, really, the strategy is to use strong, tough language, but not the specific language talking about Iraq being in material breach of the resolution. That language considered a trigger, perhaps, for military action. They don't want President Bush to be put in a box. They know that his credibility is on the line because he's talked about zero tolerance.

So White House aides telling us that military action is not eminent. Rather what the White House is talking about is pushing for tough inspections on the ground. They're also talking about pushing to get those Iraqi scientists, to get them interviewed out of the country, to get as much information as possible, and Kyra, all of this part of a strategy, really, to build as much international support for the president, for the United States in the event that he calls for war -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, speaking of international support, U.S. allies also meeting with Colin Powell today.

MALVEAUX: Absolutely, and we also heard from British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the House of Commons. He was talking about his skepticism, his doubt, that Iraq has declared fully its weapons program. We expect that we're going to hear more from the U.S. allies in the days to come. But, yes, this administration making, really, a full court press to get that kind of support that they need. They're going to let this process play out. It is part of a strategy to be patient, to wait, to let those inspectors do their jobs. This is all a part, as well, to show those allies that the United States does not have this appearance of being eager to go to war.

PHILLIPS: All right, Suzanne Malveaux, live from the White House -- thanks, Suzanne.

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




Resolution>


Aired December 18, 2002 - 13:36   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's been a busy day for the inspectors. Nine teams headed out to several different sites, including a water plant, paint factory, and missile launch facility. Inspectors also visited Mosul (ph) University and the Saddam dam complex.
As the weapons hunt continues, let's get more on the Bush administration's response to Iraq's declaration. For that, we're joined by White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- hi, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Kyra. The White House making it very clear that they believe Saddam Hussein, Iraq has not complied with the U.N. weapons inspections process, the U.N. Security Council resolution requiring it to disarm, to disclose its potential weapons program.

We have been hearing from White House aides, they have been saying that for days in their initial assessment. We can expect, we are told, perhaps even to hear from the president as early as tomorrow on the issue to explain to the nation why it is that he believes that Iraq fails, is failing the test to declare its weapons program. Ari Fleischer was asked just moments ago how to characterize this, and he gives us somewhat of a preview of what we expect the president to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president is concerned about Iraq's failure to list information in this document. The president is concerned with omissions in this document, and he president is concerned with problems in this document.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, earlier today, President Bush made with the leader of Spain, both of them talking about the importance of fighting the war on terror. But President Bush not taking any questions specifically dealing with Iraq, but White House aides telling us that, really, the strategy is to use strong, tough language, but not the specific language talking about Iraq being in material breach of the resolution. That language considered a trigger, perhaps, for military action. They don't want President Bush to be put in a box. They know that his credibility is on the line because he's talked about zero tolerance.

So White House aides telling us that military action is not eminent. Rather what the White House is talking about is pushing for tough inspections on the ground. They're also talking about pushing to get those Iraqi scientists, to get them interviewed out of the country, to get as much information as possible, and Kyra, all of this part of a strategy, really, to build as much international support for the president, for the United States in the event that he calls for war -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, speaking of international support, U.S. allies also meeting with Colin Powell today.

MALVEAUX: Absolutely, and we also heard from British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the House of Commons. He was talking about his skepticism, his doubt, that Iraq has declared fully its weapons program. We expect that we're going to hear more from the U.S. allies in the days to come. But, yes, this administration making, really, a full court press to get that kind of support that they need. They're going to let this process play out. It is part of a strategy to be patient, to wait, to let those inspectors do their jobs. This is all a part, as well, to show those allies that the United States does not have this appearance of being eager to go to war.

PHILLIPS: All right, Suzanne Malveaux, live from the White House -- thanks, Suzanne.

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




Resolution>