Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
Showdown: Iraq: Making the Case
Aired January 23, 2003 - 14:03 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: What a difference a dozen years make. Back then, much of the world joined the administration in a coalition against Iraq. Now the second administration is struggling to hold on to slim support, reaching out to reluctant partners however it can.
CNN's White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux with more on this -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the White House says it's fully willing to go forward with or without the support of France and other key U.S. allies if the president decides military action against Saddam Hussein is necessary. There has been diplomacy going on behind the scenes. President Bush earlier today talking with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
We're told by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, the two leaders agreeing, a key date, a critical date is January 27th, when the U.N. weapons inspectors report their finding to the U.N. Security Council, will largely determine what happens next.
We're also told the White House position here, no longer talking about whether or not Saddam Hussein is complying, but rather who is on the team to hold him to account.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: President Bush is confident that Europe will answer the call. It remains possible that France won't be on the line. But the president will continue to respect the nations that may, or may not disagree with the United States' position on this at the end.
COLIN POWELL, SECY. OF STATE: Now let's wait and see what the inspectors say on Monday with respect to the degree of cooperation they received or have not received, what they believe the situation is, and then we'll have a debate.
And so I do not rule out that a solution to be found, either for a peaceful way to do it or the use of military force, that would draw the strong support of the council.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now some of the members of that multilateral coalition, we are told by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, he says not only Britain, but Australia, Italy, as well as some of the new NATO members from the Eastern European bloc, as well as the European Union, saying the president is confident he will have the support, international support, even without the U.N. Security Council's blessing to go forward if he decides military action is necessary -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Suzanne Malveaux, live from 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 January 23, 2003 - 14:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: What a difference a dozen years make. Back then, much of the world joined the administration in a coalition against Iraq. Now the second administration is struggling to hold on to slim support, reaching out to reluctant partners however it can.
CNN's White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux with more on this -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the White House says it's fully willing to go forward with or without the support of France and other key U.S. allies if the president decides military action against Saddam Hussein is necessary. There has been diplomacy going on behind the scenes. President Bush earlier today talking with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
We're told by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, the two leaders agreeing, a key date, a critical date is January 27th, when the U.N. weapons inspectors report their finding to the U.N. Security Council, will largely determine what happens next.
We're also told the White House position here, no longer talking about whether or not Saddam Hussein is complying, but rather who is on the team to hold him to account.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: President Bush is confident that Europe will answer the call. It remains possible that France won't be on the line. But the president will continue to respect the nations that may, or may not disagree with the United States' position on this at the end.
COLIN POWELL, SECY. OF STATE: Now let's wait and see what the inspectors say on Monday with respect to the degree of cooperation they received or have not received, what they believe the situation is, and then we'll have a debate.
And so I do not rule out that a solution to be found, either for a peaceful way to do it or the use of military force, that would draw the strong support of the council.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now some of the members of that multilateral coalition, we are told by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, he says not only Britain, but Australia, Italy, as well as some of the new NATO members from the Eastern European bloc, as well as the European Union, saying the president is confident he will have the support, international support, even without the U.N. Security Council's blessing to go forward if he decides military action is necessary -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, Suzanne Malveaux, live from 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
