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Bush Meets With Howard
Aired February 10, 2003 - 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: But despite what NATO does or does not do, the Bush administration appears determined to stay on track with its war planning. The president is still rallying allies with another face-to-face at the White House just hours from now.
CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us with more -- good afternoon, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Carol. The White House really unimpressed with this news that Iraq possibly would allow U-2 planes, fly-overs over Baghdad, quite dismissive about that.
Several senior administration officials saying that it is not about this piecemeal cooperation from Saddam Hussein, but the bottom line is Iraq disarming. President Bush making his case very clear today earlier in Nashville, Tennessee before religious broadcasters, making another accusation against Saddam Hussein. This time, he says that he is positioning his military in the civilian population to shield them from possible attack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Saddam Hussein regards the Iraqi people as human shields, entirely expendable, when their suffering serves his purposes. America views the Iraqi people as human beings who have suffered long enough under this tyrant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, the Bush administration making its case on two fronts. As you know, before the U.N. Security Council, a deadline coming up on Friday when U.N. weapons inspectors will report their findings to the council. That will happen on Friday. The Bush administration saying they will wait and see what happens. But, of course, as my colleague also mentioned that battle over NATO, we heard from Secretary of State Colin Powell. He was meeting with Australia's Prime Minister John Howard earlier today, really fighting that Turkey be protected by NATO, that this was essential. The hope is, from the Bush administration, is that with NATO's protection of Turkey, perhaps Turkey will allow U.S. troops to be based there if there is a war with Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: That NATO will now realize that they have an obligation to assist a NATO member who asks for help, and Article IV will produce a solution, so we make sure Turkey is not put at any risk. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So what you're going to see, Carol, in days to come is really intense diplomacy from the Bush administration. President Bush later today is going to be meeting with one of our staunchest allies, the prime minister of Australia, John Howard. They're going to be discussing, among other things, of course, Iraq and North Korea.
As you know, Australia only a second to Britain actually has deployed some troops in the Gulf region, and is prepared to cooperate among the group of friends and allies that the administration likes to talk about in the event there is a war with Iraq. President Bush also will be meeting with the leader of Ecuador tomorrow. He will also be visiting U.S. troops here to prepare the country for potential war -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Suzanne Malveaux reporting 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 February 10, 2003 - 14:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: But despite what NATO does or does not do, the Bush administration appears determined to stay on track with its war planning. The president is still rallying allies with another face-to-face at the White House just hours from now.
CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us with more -- good afternoon, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Carol. The White House really unimpressed with this news that Iraq possibly would allow U-2 planes, fly-overs over Baghdad, quite dismissive about that.
Several senior administration officials saying that it is not about this piecemeal cooperation from Saddam Hussein, but the bottom line is Iraq disarming. President Bush making his case very clear today earlier in Nashville, Tennessee before religious broadcasters, making another accusation against Saddam Hussein. This time, he says that he is positioning his military in the civilian population to shield them from possible attack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Saddam Hussein regards the Iraqi people as human shields, entirely expendable, when their suffering serves his purposes. America views the Iraqi people as human beings who have suffered long enough under this tyrant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, the Bush administration making its case on two fronts. As you know, before the U.N. Security Council, a deadline coming up on Friday when U.N. weapons inspectors will report their findings to the council. That will happen on Friday. The Bush administration saying they will wait and see what happens. But, of course, as my colleague also mentioned that battle over NATO, we heard from Secretary of State Colin Powell. He was meeting with Australia's Prime Minister John Howard earlier today, really fighting that Turkey be protected by NATO, that this was essential. The hope is, from the Bush administration, is that with NATO's protection of Turkey, perhaps Turkey will allow U.S. troops to be based there if there is a war with Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: That NATO will now realize that they have an obligation to assist a NATO member who asks for help, and Article IV will produce a solution, so we make sure Turkey is not put at any risk. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So what you're going to see, Carol, in days to come is really intense diplomacy from the Bush administration. President Bush later today is going to be meeting with one of our staunchest allies, the prime minister of Australia, John Howard. They're going to be discussing, among other things, of course, Iraq and North Korea.
As you know, Australia only a second to Britain actually has deployed some troops in the Gulf region, and is prepared to cooperate among the group of friends and allies that the administration likes to talk about in the event there is a war with Iraq. President Bush also will be meeting with the leader of Ecuador tomorrow. He will also be visiting U.S. troops here to prepare the country for potential war -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Suzanne Malveaux reporting 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
