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France, Germany, Russia Offer U.S. Counter-Proposal

Aired February 24, 2003 - 13:13   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.


ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We have developing news out of the United Nations right now. We're going to Richard Roth, who is standing by with news of a possible counterproposal to the U.S./U.K. resolution.
Richard, what do you have?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, as we've been telling you this morning, France, Russia and Germany have put forth a -- quote -- "two-page memorandum" to be submitted to the Security Council. It's not a resolution, but it certainly runs counter to the planned introduction by the U.S. and U.K. of a second resolution, some would say the 18th resolution, against Iraq. However, this memorandum from France, Russia, Germany basically says, give the inspectors more time, because Iraq cooperation is improving.

A key part says, further measures to strengthen the inspections could include increase in diversification of the inspection staff, establishment of mobile units to check on trucks, a new system of aerial surveillance, which includes probably the French Mirage plane, a Russian plane to go along with the American U-2, systemic processing of data provided by surveillance.

Basically, they're saying you don't need a resolution to go to war. These ideas, if you beef up Hans Blix and his inspections teams, that's going to be enough to keep pressure on Iraq and to avoid any kind of military conflict for now.

At the end, it does say that Iraq must disarm -- quote -- "They cannot continue indefinitely," the inspectors, that is, "even if given more time and resources" --Anderson.

COOPER: No firm timetable set. Richard Roth, thanks very much, live from the U.N.

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 24, 2003 - 13:13   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We have developing news out of the United Nations right now. We're going to Richard Roth, who is standing by with news of a possible counterproposal to the U.S./U.K. resolution.
Richard, what do you have?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, as we've been telling you this morning, France, Russia and Germany have put forth a -- quote -- "two-page memorandum" to be submitted to the Security Council. It's not a resolution, but it certainly runs counter to the planned introduction by the U.S. and U.K. of a second resolution, some would say the 18th resolution, against Iraq. However, this memorandum from France, Russia, Germany basically says, give the inspectors more time, because Iraq cooperation is improving.

A key part says, further measures to strengthen the inspections could include increase in diversification of the inspection staff, establishment of mobile units to check on trucks, a new system of aerial surveillance, which includes probably the French Mirage plane, a Russian plane to go along with the American U-2, systemic processing of data provided by surveillance.

Basically, they're saying you don't need a resolution to go to war. These ideas, if you beef up Hans Blix and his inspections teams, that's going to be enough to keep pressure on Iraq and to avoid any kind of military conflict for now.

At the end, it does say that Iraq must disarm -- quote -- "They cannot continue indefinitely," the inspectors, that is, "even if given more time and resources" --Anderson.

COOPER: No firm timetable set. Richard Roth, thanks very much, live from the U.N.

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