Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

White House Would Welcome Reconstruction Aid

Aired March 18, 2003 - 13:02   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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The deadline comes in 31 hours, 8:00 Eastern time tomorrow night, and the president issuing his ultimatum yesterday at the White House.
Let's check in with CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, who is at the White House now -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, in the president's words, the tyrant will soon be gone. The White House is responding today to statements made by Saddam Hussein and his sons, that they do not accept this ultimatum, that they will not leave their country. We just heard from White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, and he says that the president is operating on the assumption that Saddam Hussein will not obey this ultimatum.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Saddam Hussein has led Iraq to many mistakes in the past, principally by developing weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein if he doesn't leave the country, will make his last mistake. The president continues to hope he will.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, U.S. officials are still insisting that Saddam Hussein has until Wednesday, 8:00 in the evening, Eastern standard time to make that decision. Also, White House spokesperson saying that the president spending his day in a number of very critical meetings. Earlier today, the president met with his national security team. He also met with the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, we are told, to go over the fine tune of the war planning, that he is also going to be meeting with Rumsfeld later in the afternoon, and also with cabinet members to discuss policy issues. Very interestingly enough, also, Miles, that the president, making phone calls, reaching out to those who do not agree with the administration's position when it comes to Iraq. President Bush called the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. He also called China's new president, Hu Jintao. Clearly the administration acknowledging that yes, they would welcome the participation of even those who don't agree with its position on, perhaps, aid and reconstruction in a post- Saddam regime.

Also, we should also note that there's been increased security around the White House. We noticed just this morning that the perimeter around the White House has been expanded. A buffer zone, Pennsylvania Avenue has now been closed to pedestrians. This is something that vehicular traffic was closed after the Oklahoma City bombing, you may recall. Now pedestrians have been sent away. We have also been told that tours have been suspended until further notice -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne, any reaction from the White House today about that statement out of Paris indicating the French would, in fact, offer some support if the Iraqis engaged in any chemical or biological weapon use?

MALVEAUX: Well, I asked Ari Fleischer that very question. He only said that he hopes it does not come to that point, when, actually, Saddam Hussein would use chemical or biological weapons. He did not specifically address the question. But, of course, the administration looking for aid, looking for reconstruction from its allies, and even from those who do not agree with its position, again, opening up the possibility that, yes, these relationships continue. Officials say that they may disagree, but they will continue to work together.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, thanks 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 18, 2003 - 13:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The deadline comes in 31 hours, 8:00 Eastern time tomorrow night, and the president issuing his ultimatum yesterday at the White House.
Let's check in with CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, who is at the White House now -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, in the president's words, the tyrant will soon be gone. The White House is responding today to statements made by Saddam Hussein and his sons, that they do not accept this ultimatum, that they will not leave their country. We just heard from White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, and he says that the president is operating on the assumption that Saddam Hussein will not obey this ultimatum.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Saddam Hussein has led Iraq to many mistakes in the past, principally by developing weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein if he doesn't leave the country, will make his last mistake. The president continues to hope he will.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now, U.S. officials are still insisting that Saddam Hussein has until Wednesday, 8:00 in the evening, Eastern standard time to make that decision. Also, White House spokesperson saying that the president spending his day in a number of very critical meetings. Earlier today, the president met with his national security team. He also met with the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, we are told, to go over the fine tune of the war planning, that he is also going to be meeting with Rumsfeld later in the afternoon, and also with cabinet members to discuss policy issues. Very interestingly enough, also, Miles, that the president, making phone calls, reaching out to those who do not agree with the administration's position when it comes to Iraq. President Bush called the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. He also called China's new president, Hu Jintao. Clearly the administration acknowledging that yes, they would welcome the participation of even those who don't agree with its position on, perhaps, aid and reconstruction in a post- Saddam regime.

Also, we should also note that there's been increased security around the White House. We noticed just this morning that the perimeter around the White House has been expanded. A buffer zone, Pennsylvania Avenue has now been closed to pedestrians. This is something that vehicular traffic was closed after the Oklahoma City bombing, you may recall. Now pedestrians have been sent away. We have also been told that tours have been suspended until further notice -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne, any reaction from the White House today about that statement out of Paris indicating the French would, in fact, offer some support if the Iraqis engaged in any chemical or biological weapon use?

MALVEAUX: Well, I asked Ari Fleischer that very question. He only said that he hopes it does not come to that point, when, actually, Saddam Hussein would use chemical or biological weapons. He did not specifically address the question. But, of course, the administration looking for aid, looking for reconstruction from its allies, and even from those who do not agree with its position, again, opening up the possibility that, yes, these relationships continue. Officials say that they may disagree, but they will continue to work together.

O'BRIEN: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, thanks 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