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Blair Wants Full U.N. Involvement In Postwar Iraq

Aired March 27, 2003 - 14:24   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.


JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Earlier today, President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair came out of war talks they were holding at Camp David, Maryland.
CNN's White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux was there and she joins us from near Camp David.

Suzanne, a lot of questions from the press today about how slowly or quickly the war is going. President Bush stressing it doesn't matter about the timetable, we're going to be victorious.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, answering a lot of those questions and really under a lot of pressure rather from the last week or so. Questions as well as criticism, just how well this campaign is going. But both leaders emphasizing really it's only day seven at this time.

Both of the leaders met for lunch as well as some meetings here at Camp David. It's part of a 24-hour war council.

The point of the summit really to show and to outline the progress of the war with Iraq, also to explore the role of the U.N. in a post-Saddam regime and to prove their resolve in disarming Saddam Hussein.

President Bush earlier today said -- and I'm quoting here -- "that the grip of terror around the throats of the Iraqi people is being loosened." Now when he was pressed for a timetable, he would not give it, saying that whenever, whatever it takes, that they will continue their fight.

Also, both leaders emphasizing that they still have international support in this campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: The United States and United Kingdom are acting together in a noble purpose. We're working together to make the world more peaceful. We're working together to make our respective nations and all the free nations of the world more secure and we're working to free the Iraqi people.

British, American, Australian, Polish and other coalition troops are sharing the duties of this war, and we're sharing the sacrifices of this war.

Together, coalition forces are advancing day by day in steady progress against the enemy. Slowly, but surely, the grip of terror around the throats of the Iraqi people is being loosened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And both leaders also appealing to the U.N. to try to break that impasse in the Oil for Food program in Iraq to try to get that jump started again in light of the growing humanitarian crisis. President Bush saying it should not be politicized. Also, British Prime Minister Tony Blair talking about the U.N. in a post-Saddam regime should have a central role in humanitarian aid as well as reconstruction. It is something that the Bush administration sees in a much more limited capacity.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY BLAIR, PRIME MINISTER OF BRITAIN: After that, there's the issue of the post-conflict administration, whereas we said in our resource statement, it's important there again that the U.N. is involved and that any post-conflict administration in Iraq is endorsed by it.

But there are huge numbers of details to be discussed with our allies, as to exactly how that is going to work.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So, Judy, both leaders agreeing that they're going to put off those discussions for a while, focus on the war with Iraq, what is happening on the ground before they deal with the role of the U.N. in a post-Saddam regime. And both leaders trying to reassure the international community that they won't step beyond their bounds, President Bush saying that the Iraqi government would not be imposed by outsiders. Also, Mr. Blair saying, ensuring that Iraq's territorial integrity would be maintained -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: Suzanne, I know they've agreed to put off discussions about the administration of Iraq until after the war. But why do the British, why does Prime Minister Blair feel so strongly that it should be a U.N.-run situation rather than a primarily U.S.-run situation?

MALVEAUX: Well, Prime Minister Blair really needs the support from the European community, and there are a lot of European countries -- namely -- primarily even those who are against the U.N. resolution, against the war in Iraq -- we're talking about France, Germany, Russia, China, as well as Syria -- who all want some sort of role in a post-Saddam regime. They want to have some sort of contribution to be able to participate in some of the business opportunities.

But at the same time, they don't want to apparently reward the United States or Britain for -- for entering this war, if they pass certain U.N. resolutions. So there really is kind of a push-pull here that is going on. But Prime Minister Blair really needs the support of those European allies. That is why he is pushing to make sure that the world community comes together when there is a post-Saddam regime.

WOODRUFF: Very much yet to be played out.

All right, Suzanne Malveaux, covering the meeting today between President Bush and Prime Minister Blair at Camp David. Thank you, Suzanne.

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 27, 2003 - 14:24   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Earlier today, President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair came out of war talks they were holding at Camp David, Maryland.
CNN's White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux was there and she joins us from near Camp David.

Suzanne, a lot of questions from the press today about how slowly or quickly the war is going. President Bush stressing it doesn't matter about the timetable, we're going to be victorious.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, answering a lot of those questions and really under a lot of pressure rather from the last week or so. Questions as well as criticism, just how well this campaign is going. But both leaders emphasizing really it's only day seven at this time.

Both of the leaders met for lunch as well as some meetings here at Camp David. It's part of a 24-hour war council.

The point of the summit really to show and to outline the progress of the war with Iraq, also to explore the role of the U.N. in a post-Saddam regime and to prove their resolve in disarming Saddam Hussein.

President Bush earlier today said -- and I'm quoting here -- "that the grip of terror around the throats of the Iraqi people is being loosened." Now when he was pressed for a timetable, he would not give it, saying that whenever, whatever it takes, that they will continue their fight.

Also, both leaders emphasizing that they still have international support in this campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: The United States and United Kingdom are acting together in a noble purpose. We're working together to make the world more peaceful. We're working together to make our respective nations and all the free nations of the world more secure and we're working to free the Iraqi people.

British, American, Australian, Polish and other coalition troops are sharing the duties of this war, and we're sharing the sacrifices of this war.

Together, coalition forces are advancing day by day in steady progress against the enemy. Slowly, but surely, the grip of terror around the throats of the Iraqi people is being loosened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And both leaders also appealing to the U.N. to try to break that impasse in the Oil for Food program in Iraq to try to get that jump started again in light of the growing humanitarian crisis. President Bush saying it should not be politicized. Also, British Prime Minister Tony Blair talking about the U.N. in a post-Saddam regime should have a central role in humanitarian aid as well as reconstruction. It is something that the Bush administration sees in a much more limited capacity.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY BLAIR, PRIME MINISTER OF BRITAIN: After that, there's the issue of the post-conflict administration, whereas we said in our resource statement, it's important there again that the U.N. is involved and that any post-conflict administration in Iraq is endorsed by it.

But there are huge numbers of details to be discussed with our allies, as to exactly how that is going to work.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So, Judy, both leaders agreeing that they're going to put off those discussions for a while, focus on the war with Iraq, what is happening on the ground before they deal with the role of the U.N. in a post-Saddam regime. And both leaders trying to reassure the international community that they won't step beyond their bounds, President Bush saying that the Iraqi government would not be imposed by outsiders. Also, Mr. Blair saying, ensuring that Iraq's territorial integrity would be maintained -- Judy.

WOODRUFF: Suzanne, I know they've agreed to put off discussions about the administration of Iraq until after the war. But why do the British, why does Prime Minister Blair feel so strongly that it should be a U.N.-run situation rather than a primarily U.S.-run situation?

MALVEAUX: Well, Prime Minister Blair really needs the support from the European community, and there are a lot of European countries -- namely -- primarily even those who are against the U.N. resolution, against the war in Iraq -- we're talking about France, Germany, Russia, China, as well as Syria -- who all want some sort of role in a post-Saddam regime. They want to have some sort of contribution to be able to participate in some of the business opportunities.

But at the same time, they don't want to apparently reward the United States or Britain for -- for entering this war, if they pass certain U.N. resolutions. So there really is kind of a push-pull here that is going on. But Prime Minister Blair really needs the support of those European allies. That is why he is pushing to make sure that the world community comes together when there is a post-Saddam regime.

WOODRUFF: Very much yet to be played out.

All right, Suzanne Malveaux, covering the meeting today between President Bush and Prime Minister Blair at Camp David. Thank you, Suzanne.

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