Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

IAEA Hands Off Nuke Issue to Security Council

Aired February 12, 2003 - 23:07   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: The International Atomic Energy Agency voted today to toss the North Korea nuclear problem into the Security Council's lap. The IAEA met in Vienna.
And CNN's Ralitsa Vassileva is live there with the story.

RALITSA VASSILEVA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra, as you reported, the IAEA has decided to refer North Korea to the Security Council, which the IAEA says has more options than it has. It has the option of trying the diplomatic path, it also has the option of sanctions, and even the call for authorizing military force.

However, Dr. ElBaradei, the director general of the IAEA, says that the Security Council will try the diplomatic option again. And he even offered an incentive to North Korea if it comes into compliance. Here is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. MOHAMMED ELBARADEI, IAEA: I hope that the message today by the board will be registered by the DPRK, and I hope we will see movement in the right direction toward a compliance by its obligation. I think once that is accomplished, there is an increasing readiness, as I see it, going to different capitals, increasing readiness to respond positively to the humanitarian and economic needs of North Korea.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VASSILEVA: So basically what Dr. ElBaradei is saying, that North Korea has, again, has a chance to comply, that a diplomatic solution that will continue to be sought. However, North Korea needs to make the first step. It needs to come into compliance, and then its concerns, including the security concern, will be addressed. North Korea fears that the United States will use this nuclear crisis as an excuse to invade North Korea. It wants bilateral talks with the United States, and it wants a nonaggression treaty with the United States. It is also concerned. It wants humanitarian aid. And what Dr. ElBaradei is saying, come into compliance, we will consider your concerns after that.

But this time, the Security Council continues to hope for a diplomatic solution.

PHILLIPS: Ralitsa Vassileva, 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






Aired February 12, 2003 - 23:07   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The International Atomic Energy Agency voted today to toss the North Korea nuclear problem into the Security Council's lap. The IAEA met in Vienna.
And CNN's Ralitsa Vassileva is live there with the story.

RALITSA VASSILEVA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra, as you reported, the IAEA has decided to refer North Korea to the Security Council, which the IAEA says has more options than it has. It has the option of trying the diplomatic path, it also has the option of sanctions, and even the call for authorizing military force.

However, Dr. ElBaradei, the director general of the IAEA, says that the Security Council will try the diplomatic option again. And he even offered an incentive to North Korea if it comes into compliance. Here is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. MOHAMMED ELBARADEI, IAEA: I hope that the message today by the board will be registered by the DPRK, and I hope we will see movement in the right direction toward a compliance by its obligation. I think once that is accomplished, there is an increasing readiness, as I see it, going to different capitals, increasing readiness to respond positively to the humanitarian and economic needs of North Korea.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VASSILEVA: So basically what Dr. ElBaradei is saying, that North Korea has, again, has a chance to comply, that a diplomatic solution that will continue to be sought. However, North Korea needs to make the first step. It needs to come into compliance, and then its concerns, including the security concern, will be addressed. North Korea fears that the United States will use this nuclear crisis as an excuse to invade North Korea. It wants bilateral talks with the United States, and it wants a nonaggression treaty with the United States. It is also concerned. It wants humanitarian aid. And what Dr. ElBaradei is saying, come into compliance, we will consider your concerns after that.

But this time, the Security Council continues to hope for a diplomatic solution.

PHILLIPS: Ralitsa Vassileva, 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