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Chirac Calls Bush to Discuss Plans for Post-War Iraq
Aired April 15, 2003 - 14:12 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, ANCHOR: This just in to CNN. A phone call -- the first time in two months, the first time since the war in Iraq began. French President Jacques Chirac calling United States President George Bush and discussing post-Iraq plans.
As you know, both men had quite opposite opinions about this war in Iraq. It caused a lot of tension between the two countries.
Our Dana Bash at the White House now with more on this conversation. Dana, what can you tell us about the length of the conversation and how positive was it?
DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. Well, what you said is exactly right. It is the first time that the two men, as far as we know, have spoken since the war began, since early February.
And we are told here at the White House that the French president, Jacques Chirac, called President Bush earlier today and we're told they spoke for about 20 minutes. That, of course, is including translation.
And they talked about the situation in Iraq. And we're told that the president said to the French president that he believes that a free Iraq is better off than it was under Saddam Hussein.
We are also told that the two men talked about the situation in Syria. Apparently, according to White House officials, both agreeing that it wouldn't be appropriate for Syria to be harboring any senior Iraqi leaders, although we're also told that Jacques Chirac didn't necessarily say he had any information about the fact that senior Iraqi officials are in Syria.
So the two men again spoke for about 20 minutes. And it seems as though it might be a day of the beginning of some kind of reconciliation amongst allies who have had differences in terms of Iraq policy, because earlier today we saw Tony Blair, the British prime minister, meeting with the German leader, Gerhard Schroeder.
So maybe we're taking some steps -- we're seeing some steps, I should say, toward some reconciliation.
And I should also note that the two men, presidents Bush and Chirac, talked about the fact they will see each other next month in Evian (ph), France. That will be at the GH summit, the summit of industrialized nations. So the president will be heading to France, and the two men talked about that, as well -- Heidi. PHILLIPS: All right. Actually, it's Kyra. Dana Bash at the White House.
BASH: Sorry, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: That's okay. We look a lot alike. That happens quite a bit. Good to see you, Dana.
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 April 15, 2003 - 14:12 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, ANCHOR: This just in to CNN. A phone call -- the first time in two months, the first time since the war in Iraq began. French President Jacques Chirac calling United States President George Bush and discussing post-Iraq plans.
As you know, both men had quite opposite opinions about this war in Iraq. It caused a lot of tension between the two countries.
Our Dana Bash at the White House now with more on this conversation. Dana, what can you tell us about the length of the conversation and how positive was it?
DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. Well, what you said is exactly right. It is the first time that the two men, as far as we know, have spoken since the war began, since early February.
And we are told here at the White House that the French president, Jacques Chirac, called President Bush earlier today and we're told they spoke for about 20 minutes. That, of course, is including translation.
And they talked about the situation in Iraq. And we're told that the president said to the French president that he believes that a free Iraq is better off than it was under Saddam Hussein.
We are also told that the two men talked about the situation in Syria. Apparently, according to White House officials, both agreeing that it wouldn't be appropriate for Syria to be harboring any senior Iraqi leaders, although we're also told that Jacques Chirac didn't necessarily say he had any information about the fact that senior Iraqi officials are in Syria.
So the two men again spoke for about 20 minutes. And it seems as though it might be a day of the beginning of some kind of reconciliation amongst allies who have had differences in terms of Iraq policy, because earlier today we saw Tony Blair, the British prime minister, meeting with the German leader, Gerhard Schroeder.
So maybe we're taking some steps -- we're seeing some steps, I should say, toward some reconciliation.
And I should also note that the two men, presidents Bush and Chirac, talked about the fact they will see each other next month in Evian (ph), France. That will be at the GH summit, the summit of industrialized nations. So the president will be heading to France, and the two men talked about that, as well -- Heidi. PHILLIPS: All right. Actually, it's Kyra. Dana Bash at the White House.
BASH: Sorry, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: That's okay. We look a lot alike. That happens quite a bit. Good to see you, Dana.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
