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Bush's National Security Team Took Note of North Korean Moves
Aired December 27, 2002 - 14:07 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: President Bush's national security team took note of the North Korean moves at the White House, while the president continued his R&R in Texas.
CNN's Suzanne Malveaux live from the outskirts of the Bush ranch in Crawford.
What's the reaction, Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the administration's message is very clear, saying today that they will not negotiate, will not compromise with threats or broken commitments, that from Scott McClellan, a White House spokesperson who briefed us in the last half hour. We understand that President Bush was briefed earlier today by his intelligence and security teams.
Also at the White House, there was a meeting, his top advisers to discuss the matter of North Korea and U.S. strategy, including the National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, as well as the Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.
Here's a statement from Scott McClellan moments ago, a full screen that says, "We call on North Korea to reverse its current course and take steps necessary to come into compliance with the safeguards agreement, and to eliminate its nuclear weapons program in a manner that's verifiable." He goes on to say that, "The international community is in agreement that North Korea's actions are a challenge to all responsible nations, and has made clear North Korea's relations with the outside world hinge on North Korea's elimination of its nuclear weapons program."
A senior administration official this morning saying that North Korea's Kim Jung Il really must be kept in a box, that he is defying the world community, isolating himself from the rest of the world, that the administration will continue to push for diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea, that the administration is continuing to work with its allies, Russia, South Korea, China, as well as Japan. We understand that the administration as early as next week may send an envoy to South Korea to make the point.
We also heard from the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammed Al Baradei, who says that if North Korea does not comply in the next two weeks, that he may convene the U.N. Security Council to deal with North Korea, as well as Iraq -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Suzanne, just to turn the corner for a minute, I'm just curious if the president had any reaction today to this alleged human cloning.
MALVEAUX: Well, yes, he did. As a matter of fact, it really echoed what he said in his April 10th speech. He's deadset against cloning, and I can read a statement, from the spokesperson, that saying the president believes, like most Americans, that human cloning is deeply concerning, and he strongly supports legislation banning human cloning. He goes on to say that despite widespread skepticism among scientists and medical professionals underscores the need for a new Congress to act on the legislation. And that April 10th speech even stronger words from the president. He said, "Life is a creation, not a commodity." He goes on to say that, "Even the most noble ends do not justify any means" -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Moves>
Aired December 27, 2002 - 14:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush's national security team took note of the North Korean moves at the White House, while the president continued his R&R in Texas.
CNN's Suzanne Malveaux live from the outskirts of the Bush ranch in Crawford.
What's the reaction, Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the administration's message is very clear, saying today that they will not negotiate, will not compromise with threats or broken commitments, that from Scott McClellan, a White House spokesperson who briefed us in the last half hour. We understand that President Bush was briefed earlier today by his intelligence and security teams.
Also at the White House, there was a meeting, his top advisers to discuss the matter of North Korea and U.S. strategy, including the National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, as well as the Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.
Here's a statement from Scott McClellan moments ago, a full screen that says, "We call on North Korea to reverse its current course and take steps necessary to come into compliance with the safeguards agreement, and to eliminate its nuclear weapons program in a manner that's verifiable." He goes on to say that, "The international community is in agreement that North Korea's actions are a challenge to all responsible nations, and has made clear North Korea's relations with the outside world hinge on North Korea's elimination of its nuclear weapons program."
A senior administration official this morning saying that North Korea's Kim Jung Il really must be kept in a box, that he is defying the world community, isolating himself from the rest of the world, that the administration will continue to push for diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea, that the administration is continuing to work with its allies, Russia, South Korea, China, as well as Japan. We understand that the administration as early as next week may send an envoy to South Korea to make the point.
We also heard from the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammed Al Baradei, who says that if North Korea does not comply in the next two weeks, that he may convene the U.N. Security Council to deal with North Korea, as well as Iraq -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Suzanne, just to turn the corner for a minute, I'm just curious if the president had any reaction today to this alleged human cloning.
MALVEAUX: Well, yes, he did. As a matter of fact, it really echoed what he said in his April 10th speech. He's deadset against cloning, and I can read a statement, from the spokesperson, that saying the president believes, like most Americans, that human cloning is deeply concerning, and he strongly supports legislation banning human cloning. He goes on to say that despite widespread skepticism among scientists and medical professionals underscores the need for a new Congress to act on the legislation. And that April 10th speech even stronger words from the president. He said, "Life is a creation, not a commodity." He goes on to say that, "Even the most noble ends do not justify any means" -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Moves>
