Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

New Security Council Vote May Never Happen

Aired March 13, 2003 - 15:02   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Maybe next week, maybe never that is what diplomats are now saying about a vote on an ultimatum for Iraq. It all comes down to numbers. Is there's enough support among the members of the Security Council?
Our senior U.N. Correspondent Richard Roth is tracking the debate, and he joins us live now from the U.N.

Richard, hello.

RICHARD ROTH, SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.

The Security Council at this hour is set to begin more consultations on the resolution rumble. Specifically, the six benchmarks Britain has introduced that might not even be part of the eventual resolution. The one on the books right now has a March 17 deadline, that's coming up Monday, for Iraq to cooperate on weapons of mass destruction.

Outside the Security Council right now, you can see the flags of the world and ambassadors ready to file past them into the closed-door discussions. Just about 20 minutes ago, a private meeting outside of the U.N. was held between the uncommitted six countries and Britain. Britain is desperately pushing the bid on the benchmarks. There's the U.S. ambassador earlier in the day, and there's Spain's ambassador. The U.S. and Spain are kind of letting Britain run with the benchmarks question. They support it but not unbelievably as much as Britain. They believe the British really need this second new resolution. The U.S. has made it clear it's not necessary. They believe they have the backing for force in the language in a resolution approved unanimously on the 8th of November.

Today in France, the French foreign minister tried to show flexibility on the dead lock.

DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): The United States has displayed a great determination. We feel, of course, that while not everything has yet been attempted, it is worthwhile for us to continue to advance, to try. The French aim, along with our partners in the Security Council, is to try and find the framework of a solution.

ROTH: Meanwhile, Iraq says it's now going to send the U.N. weapons inspectors here, a letter with information and inventories on anthrax and VX nerve agent. Baghdad promised this more than a week ago. The weapons officials here say it may take a week to examine the documents. Anthrax, destruction of chemical biological weapons, more of those benchmarks that's going on inside the Security Council.

But Daryn, still a lot of confusion here inside the U.N., because they have heard statements from President Bush that there's going to be a vote no matter what, last week. Now Secretary Powell, in Washington, today saying a vote may come tomorrow, the weekend, there are a lot of options, or may never come at all.

Daryn, back you.

KAGAN: Well Richard, I think part of the confusion comes about whether there's a vote or not a vote. The U.S. trying to figure out how many votes it has in its favor on the same side as Britain. That number seems to be fluid at this point and also, tends to be on who exactly is doing the counting.

ROTH: That's right. It's an election that makes Florida in 2000 look somewhat normal. Basically, the U.S. officials telling CNN, in Washington, that they believe they're one vote short. Right now, the Security Council filing in right now is Syria. They're starting to move in now. But the France nation believes that Cameroon and Guinea are more in the abstain category. And a lot of these countries here protest all coverage because they say how can we know what our vote is when the language on these benchmarks is still very much in play?

KAGAN: As we hear hour after hour, everything is on the table. Richard Roth at the United Nations, thank you.

1504

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: At the White House, they're still playing the waiting game, still seeking a compromise, still positioning troops.

CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is watching developments there -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, as one senior administration official put it this way to me, he says, everything is in a state of play, everything is in a state of flux. Earlier today, President Bush met with the prime minister of Ireland in a St. Patrick's Day ceremony, but also to thank him for supporting resolution 1441, requiring Saddam Hussein to disarm. Later, in the afternoon, President Bush canceled an event that he had on the Hill to make some phone calls. One of those phone calls, key, of course, to British Prime Minister Tony Blair. It has become very clear that the administration is trying to do everything it can to get that second U.N. resolution passed.

It was all through out the week, that the administration called to have a vote on that resolution by the end of this week, meaning tomorrow. Senior administration officials now saying that consultations, negotiations will continue through the weekend. Also now, Miles, there is a question whether or not this resolution is even going to come to a vote. It was last Thursday, President Bush was very adamant about having the U.N. Security Council make a stand on this resolution. But today, senior administration officials backing off on that position. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes, we'll call for a vote, no matter what the whip count is we're calling for a vote. We want to see people stand up and say what their opinion is about Saddam Hussein and the utility of the United Nations Security Council. And so you bet. Time for people to show their cards. Let the world know where they stand when it comes to Saddam.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We are still talking to the members of the Council to see what is possible with respect to coalescing around a position that wouldn't draw a veto. But the option remains to go for -- options remain go for a vote and see what members say or not go for a vote. But there are all the options that you can imagine are before us and we'll be examining them today, tomorrow and into the weekend.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Miles, this is what White House spokesman Ari Fleischer calls an increase in flexibility that really the president is trying to go that last mile in diplomacy. Also, the administration, part of its strategy to put a lot of pressure on the French who, of course, are saying they're going to veto any U.N. resolution, the second resolution. We heard from White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer in a war of words with the French really trying to put the pressure on them to change their minds.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: France has said they reject the logic of ultimatums. This is what their foreign minister said. France also look at the British proposal and they rejected it before Iraq rejected it. If that's not an unreasonable veto, what is? So we look at what France is doing and we wish they were doing otherwise.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Well, Miles, when it's all said and done, the administration does expect that France is going to veto this resolution. Quite frankly, they're trying to give the kind of political cover that British Prime Minister Tony Blair needs by pushing those U.N. Security Council members at least for a majority, but the administration accepting that the true reality, they believe that this resolution will fail -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne, I find it interesting in Richard Roth's report, he was saying that the British who are really leading the way on diplomacy and persuasion here when it comes to the six benchmarks.

Why is the U.S. taking a back seat on that one? MALVEAUX: Well, first of all, the administration, quite frankly, is very frustrated with what has happened. And they do not feel that some of the proposals that they have put forward have been taken to light very favorably for those undecideds. The president has tried to lobby those undecided members. In the last two weeks here, the administration very persuasive, or at least trying to be as persuasive as possible.

There are some things that the British, of course, have put out on the table that the administration does not agree with. They talked about a March 17 deadline, perhaps even an extension. The president's aides saying that perhaps that would just be days, perhaps even just a week at best for an extension. Also, they said Saddam Hussein, they wanted him to go before the cameras and say he didn't have weapons mass destruction. This is not something in particular they saw as realistic as a bargaining chip here.

So, yes, there are some disagreements, even among the allies, between the British as well as Americans when it comes to this resolution. But the president, willing to put just another couple days in this diplomatic effort.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, thank you very much.

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 March 13, 2003 - 15:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Maybe next week, maybe never that is what diplomats are now saying about a vote on an ultimatum for Iraq. It all comes down to numbers. Is there's enough support among the members of the Security Council?
Our senior U.N. Correspondent Richard Roth is tracking the debate, and he joins us live now from the U.N.

Richard, hello.

RICHARD ROTH, SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn.

The Security Council at this hour is set to begin more consultations on the resolution rumble. Specifically, the six benchmarks Britain has introduced that might not even be part of the eventual resolution. The one on the books right now has a March 17 deadline, that's coming up Monday, for Iraq to cooperate on weapons of mass destruction.

Outside the Security Council right now, you can see the flags of the world and ambassadors ready to file past them into the closed-door discussions. Just about 20 minutes ago, a private meeting outside of the U.N. was held between the uncommitted six countries and Britain. Britain is desperately pushing the bid on the benchmarks. There's the U.S. ambassador earlier in the day, and there's Spain's ambassador. The U.S. and Spain are kind of letting Britain run with the benchmarks question. They support it but not unbelievably as much as Britain. They believe the British really need this second new resolution. The U.S. has made it clear it's not necessary. They believe they have the backing for force in the language in a resolution approved unanimously on the 8th of November.

Today in France, the French foreign minister tried to show flexibility on the dead lock.

DOMINIQUE DE VILLEPIN, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): The United States has displayed a great determination. We feel, of course, that while not everything has yet been attempted, it is worthwhile for us to continue to advance, to try. The French aim, along with our partners in the Security Council, is to try and find the framework of a solution.

ROTH: Meanwhile, Iraq says it's now going to send the U.N. weapons inspectors here, a letter with information and inventories on anthrax and VX nerve agent. Baghdad promised this more than a week ago. The weapons officials here say it may take a week to examine the documents. Anthrax, destruction of chemical biological weapons, more of those benchmarks that's going on inside the Security Council.

But Daryn, still a lot of confusion here inside the U.N., because they have heard statements from President Bush that there's going to be a vote no matter what, last week. Now Secretary Powell, in Washington, today saying a vote may come tomorrow, the weekend, there are a lot of options, or may never come at all.

Daryn, back you.

KAGAN: Well Richard, I think part of the confusion comes about whether there's a vote or not a vote. The U.S. trying to figure out how many votes it has in its favor on the same side as Britain. That number seems to be fluid at this point and also, tends to be on who exactly is doing the counting.

ROTH: That's right. It's an election that makes Florida in 2000 look somewhat normal. Basically, the U.S. officials telling CNN, in Washington, that they believe they're one vote short. Right now, the Security Council filing in right now is Syria. They're starting to move in now. But the France nation believes that Cameroon and Guinea are more in the abstain category. And a lot of these countries here protest all coverage because they say how can we know what our vote is when the language on these benchmarks is still very much in play?

KAGAN: As we hear hour after hour, everything is on the table. Richard Roth at the United Nations, thank you.

1504

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: At the White House, they're still playing the waiting game, still seeking a compromise, still positioning troops.

CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is watching developments there -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, as one senior administration official put it this way to me, he says, everything is in a state of play, everything is in a state of flux. Earlier today, President Bush met with the prime minister of Ireland in a St. Patrick's Day ceremony, but also to thank him for supporting resolution 1441, requiring Saddam Hussein to disarm. Later, in the afternoon, President Bush canceled an event that he had on the Hill to make some phone calls. One of those phone calls, key, of course, to British Prime Minister Tony Blair. It has become very clear that the administration is trying to do everything it can to get that second U.N. resolution passed.

It was all through out the week, that the administration called to have a vote on that resolution by the end of this week, meaning tomorrow. Senior administration officials now saying that consultations, negotiations will continue through the weekend. Also now, Miles, there is a question whether or not this resolution is even going to come to a vote. It was last Thursday, President Bush was very adamant about having the U.N. Security Council make a stand on this resolution. But today, senior administration officials backing off on that position. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes, we'll call for a vote, no matter what the whip count is we're calling for a vote. We want to see people stand up and say what their opinion is about Saddam Hussein and the utility of the United Nations Security Council. And so you bet. Time for people to show their cards. Let the world know where they stand when it comes to Saddam.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We are still talking to the members of the Council to see what is possible with respect to coalescing around a position that wouldn't draw a veto. But the option remains to go for -- options remain go for a vote and see what members say or not go for a vote. But there are all the options that you can imagine are before us and we'll be examining them today, tomorrow and into the weekend.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Miles, this is what White House spokesman Ari Fleischer calls an increase in flexibility that really the president is trying to go that last mile in diplomacy. Also, the administration, part of its strategy to put a lot of pressure on the French who, of course, are saying they're going to veto any U.N. resolution, the second resolution. We heard from White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer in a war of words with the French really trying to put the pressure on them to change their minds.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: France has said they reject the logic of ultimatums. This is what their foreign minister said. France also look at the British proposal and they rejected it before Iraq rejected it. If that's not an unreasonable veto, what is? So we look at what France is doing and we wish they were doing otherwise.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Well, Miles, when it's all said and done, the administration does expect that France is going to veto this resolution. Quite frankly, they're trying to give the kind of political cover that British Prime Minister Tony Blair needs by pushing those U.N. Security Council members at least for a majority, but the administration accepting that the true reality, they believe that this resolution will fail -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne, I find it interesting in Richard Roth's report, he was saying that the British who are really leading the way on diplomacy and persuasion here when it comes to the six benchmarks.

Why is the U.S. taking a back seat on that one? MALVEAUX: Well, first of all, the administration, quite frankly, is very frustrated with what has happened. And they do not feel that some of the proposals that they have put forward have been taken to light very favorably for those undecideds. The president has tried to lobby those undecided members. In the last two weeks here, the administration very persuasive, or at least trying to be as persuasive as possible.

There are some things that the British, of course, have put out on the table that the administration does not agree with. They talked about a March 17 deadline, perhaps even an extension. The president's aides saying that perhaps that would just be days, perhaps even just a week at best for an extension. Also, they said Saddam Hussein, they wanted him to go before the cameras and say he didn't have weapons mass destruction. This is not something in particular they saw as realistic as a bargaining chip here.

So, yes, there are some disagreements, even among the allies, between the British as well as Americans when it comes to this resolution. But the president, willing to put just another couple days in this diplomatic effort.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, thank you very much.

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