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American Morning

Cheney to Address Action Against Baghdad

Aired August 29, 2002 - 08:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Vice President Dick Cheney will be in San Antonio today addressing Korean War veterans, again, expected to make the administration's case for action against Baghdad.
Suzanne Malveaux at the White House live from the front lawn with more on this -- Suzanne, good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Bill.

Despite the growing criticism from law makers and U.S. allies, the Bush administration is determined to lay out the argument for regime change for the ousting of Saddam Hussein. Later, Vice President Dick Cheney will be addressing Korean War veterans in San Antonio, Texas to do just that.

Officials tell us to expect it'll be much like the speech that he made on Monday, the strongest case yet for preemptive action, Vice President Cheney saying that Iraq is a threat now, it's only a matter of time before Iraq obtains nuclear weapons. That message on Monday.

There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction, there is no doubt that he is amassing them to use against our friends and against our allies and against us.

Now, Cheney's remarks were made on the eve when President Bush met with the Saudi ambassador, Prince Bandar, to lay out that case. All of this, as you know, being played out as the administration tries to decide whether or not to allow Saddam Hussein one more chance for weapons inspections or to go it alone -- Bill.

HEMMER: Suzanne, there were reports this past week that some members of the administration were taken aback by the strong language that the vice president used the other day with regard to Baghdad. Is he going to go past that or just reinforce that? What's your guidance that you know?

MALVEAUX: We are told that he's going to reinforce that message. He's not going to go past it. But you can be sure that the administration certainly is not ruling out military action. But, again, they say they haven't decided.

HEMMER: Thanks, Suzanne.

Suzanne Malveaux at the White House this morning.

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