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Aldouri Calls U.S. Coalition a "barbaric, colonial aggression."

Aired March 26, 2003 - 15:52   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.


WOODRUFF: We've been listening to the Iraqi ambassador to the United Nations flatly calling on the U.N. and the Security Council to condemn what he called "the criminal aggression" being committed by the United States, the coalition. He called it a "barbaric, colonial aggression."
Let's bring in our Richard Roth, who is our United Nations correspondent. Richard, the war is underway. What exactly can the Security Council do?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT: Well, right now, the Security Council's in no position to stop what the Iraqi ambassador calls the aggression on his country. But this is the first public session since the war started. There was some talk of a resolution that the Arab group might try to push through, though there was a U.S.-U.K. veto lying in wait.

There's really nothing that the council is going to do at this point. But, what you're seeing is the differences over the war is spilling over to the differences on getting humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq. Because Iraq and Syria and other countries, including Russia, don't want to see the U.S. and U.K. use the humanitarian aspect of things as a springboard for legitimizing occupation and their control of the country, as much as they have control so far.

That's the differences. That's where the real anger is going on behind the scenes. But Kofi Annan, before we took the Iraqi ambassador live, was pleading with the big powers, the big five, to say to settle your differences for the benefit of the people of Iraq. He also said some people question why Iraq did not take its last last- chance opportunity to prevent this war. But he also said many people around the world question why such a military action was necessary at this time.

He's still playing the diplomatic role. He says he's available for any mission, though it's unlikely he's ready to go to Baghdad at this time -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: Richard, just a little bit more on the differences you were describing behind the scene of the so-called big five. What is it they're disagreeing about and how is that likely to get resolved?

ROTH: Well, what's pending on the table is the so-called Oil for Food Exchange Program, suspended by Kofi Annan when the war broke out. There's $10 billion in goods, services and food needed by the Iraqi people that's been stopped by the war. Russia, and to some extent France, and some others are very concerned about the wording that it gives the United States control of Iraq. And that's really what's delaying things -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: All right. Richard Roth. And there's no sign that's going to be resolved anytime soon. Richard Roth at the United Nations, after some very strong word from the Iraqi ambassador to the U.N. -- Wolf.

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




aggression.">


Aired March 26, 2003 - 15:52   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOODRUFF: We've been listening to the Iraqi ambassador to the United Nations flatly calling on the U.N. and the Security Council to condemn what he called "the criminal aggression" being committed by the United States, the coalition. He called it a "barbaric, colonial aggression."
Let's bring in our Richard Roth, who is our United Nations correspondent. Richard, the war is underway. What exactly can the Security Council do?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT: Well, right now, the Security Council's in no position to stop what the Iraqi ambassador calls the aggression on his country. But this is the first public session since the war started. There was some talk of a resolution that the Arab group might try to push through, though there was a U.S.-U.K. veto lying in wait.

There's really nothing that the council is going to do at this point. But, what you're seeing is the differences over the war is spilling over to the differences on getting humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq. Because Iraq and Syria and other countries, including Russia, don't want to see the U.S. and U.K. use the humanitarian aspect of things as a springboard for legitimizing occupation and their control of the country, as much as they have control so far.

That's the differences. That's where the real anger is going on behind the scenes. But Kofi Annan, before we took the Iraqi ambassador live, was pleading with the big powers, the big five, to say to settle your differences for the benefit of the people of Iraq. He also said some people question why Iraq did not take its last last- chance opportunity to prevent this war. But he also said many people around the world question why such a military action was necessary at this time.

He's still playing the diplomatic role. He says he's available for any mission, though it's unlikely he's ready to go to Baghdad at this time -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: Richard, just a little bit more on the differences you were describing behind the scene of the so-called big five. What is it they're disagreeing about and how is that likely to get resolved?

ROTH: Well, what's pending on the table is the so-called Oil for Food Exchange Program, suspended by Kofi Annan when the war broke out. There's $10 billion in goods, services and food needed by the Iraqi people that's been stopped by the war. Russia, and to some extent France, and some others are very concerned about the wording that it gives the United States control of Iraq. And that's really what's delaying things -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: All right. Richard Roth. And there's no sign that's going to be resolved anytime soon. Richard Roth at the United Nations, after some very strong word from the Iraqi ambassador to the U.N. -- Wolf.

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




aggression.">