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Secretary-General Kofi Annan is Concerned About Lack of Law and Order in Iraq

Aired April 10, 2003 - 15:22   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.


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: At the United Nations the secretary- general, Kofi Annan says, he is concerned about the lack of law and order in Iraq for more on that lets turn as we always do to our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth -- Richard Roth joining us from the United Nations, thanks very much.
RICHARD ROTH, SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the United Nations secretary-general is worried about the breakdown of law and order in Baghdad. Of course it's still early since U.S. troops have got into key cities.

But Annan on his way into the building at U.N. Headquarters expressed some concern about the situation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: It appears there's no functioning government in Iraq at the moment. And we also saw the scenes of jubilation, but, of course, when you think of the casualties both military and civilians, the Iraqis have paid a heavy price for this. And I've also seen -- we've seen scenes of looting and law and order must be a major concern.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH: Also on Iraq, and Kofi Annan, the secretary-general confirming he met with Iraq's U.N. Ambassador, Mohammed Aldouri, earlier in the week, they also met today. Annan saying that the ambassador discussed security and protection for his staff at the Iraqi mission to the U.N., which is still in place despite any change in the government in Baghdad. There are a lot of stories, Wolf, floating around this building about Aldouri's status and what exactly his intentions are. When he left his residence this morning, an intense frenzy of questions for the beleaguered ambassador.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MOHAMMED ALDOURI, IRAQ AMB. TO U.N.: Good morning. How are you.

QUESTION: What do you make of the symbolism?

ALDOURI: I am sorry no comment.

QUESTION: What are you going to do now?

QUESTION: What is next for you, sir? ALDOURI: I am sorry, no comment.

QUESTION: Can you tell us anything at all?

ALDOURI: I am sorry. No comment.

QUESTION: Who should govern Iraq? Who should govern Iraq, sir?

ALDOURI: Well, really, they are (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Iraq. I have nothing to do with that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: The ambassador told me by phone he was declining an interview request today. At the White House press briefing, Ari Fleischer was asked about the U.S. government's intentions for Ambassador Aldouri.

QUESTION: Does the United States have any interest in arresting Mohammed Aldouri or any other Iraqi official in the United States?

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: See, I still don't have anything further than this morning. He is, of course, the ambassador of Iraq to the United Nations, and unless there is cause provided (UNINTELLIGIBLE) diplomat would be arrest he is a diplomat.

QUESTION: Still?

FLEISCHER: He remains a diplomat to the United Nations, that's correct.

QUESTION: On behave of...

FLEISCHER: Well, literally, legally, the way it works he is Iraq's representative to the United Nations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: Aldouri was still also quoted as saying everything is over, there's no government that he represents. He's representing his country right now -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Richard Roth, Richard Roth joining us from the United Nations. Thanks. Richard, 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




Law and Order in Iraq>


Aired April 10, 2003 - 15:22   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: At the United Nations the secretary- general, Kofi Annan says, he is concerned about the lack of law and order in Iraq for more on that lets turn as we always do to our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth -- Richard Roth joining us from the United Nations, thanks very much.
RICHARD ROTH, SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the United Nations secretary-general is worried about the breakdown of law and order in Baghdad. Of course it's still early since U.S. troops have got into key cities.

But Annan on his way into the building at U.N. Headquarters expressed some concern about the situation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: It appears there's no functioning government in Iraq at the moment. And we also saw the scenes of jubilation, but, of course, when you think of the casualties both military and civilians, the Iraqis have paid a heavy price for this. And I've also seen -- we've seen scenes of looting and law and order must be a major concern.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROTH: Also on Iraq, and Kofi Annan, the secretary-general confirming he met with Iraq's U.N. Ambassador, Mohammed Aldouri, earlier in the week, they also met today. Annan saying that the ambassador discussed security and protection for his staff at the Iraqi mission to the U.N., which is still in place despite any change in the government in Baghdad. There are a lot of stories, Wolf, floating around this building about Aldouri's status and what exactly his intentions are. When he left his residence this morning, an intense frenzy of questions for the beleaguered ambassador.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MOHAMMED ALDOURI, IRAQ AMB. TO U.N.: Good morning. How are you.

QUESTION: What do you make of the symbolism?

ALDOURI: I am sorry no comment.

QUESTION: What are you going to do now?

QUESTION: What is next for you, sir? ALDOURI: I am sorry, no comment.

QUESTION: Can you tell us anything at all?

ALDOURI: I am sorry. No comment.

QUESTION: Who should govern Iraq? Who should govern Iraq, sir?

ALDOURI: Well, really, they are (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Iraq. I have nothing to do with that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: The ambassador told me by phone he was declining an interview request today. At the White House press briefing, Ari Fleischer was asked about the U.S. government's intentions for Ambassador Aldouri.

QUESTION: Does the United States have any interest in arresting Mohammed Aldouri or any other Iraqi official in the United States?

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: See, I still don't have anything further than this morning. He is, of course, the ambassador of Iraq to the United Nations, and unless there is cause provided (UNINTELLIGIBLE) diplomat would be arrest he is a diplomat.

QUESTION: Still?

FLEISCHER: He remains a diplomat to the United Nations, that's correct.

QUESTION: On behave of...

FLEISCHER: Well, literally, legally, the way it works he is Iraq's representative to the United Nations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: Aldouri was still also quoted as saying everything is over, there's no government that he represents. He's representing his country right now -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Richard Roth, Richard Roth joining us from the United Nations. Thanks. Richard, 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




Law and Order in Iraq>