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American Morning
Resolution Rejection
Aired November 12, 2002 - 09:31 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It, of course, will not be the last word, but the Iraqi parliament's rejection this morning of the U.N. resolution is not being treated as a positive sign. The White House is dismissing that move this morning as pure theater. Now to find out how the U.S. diplomats are responding, we go to our own Richard Roth, who is standing by at the U.N., almost his home away from home over the last six weeks or so.
Good morning, Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
One United States official here this morning called the Iraqi parliament decision to reject this return of weapons inspectors a farce. However, the official said we're all waiting to see how Iraq will officially respond. This official said if Iraq does reject this resolution, it would be a big mistake, because it would mean war. The Security Council deals with other world trouble spots this week, but everyone is keeping a close eye on Iraq.
Diplomats here, Paula, are very used to needing patience when dealing with the Iraqi regime,so no one is getting too nervous idea. The deadline is Friday. Kofi Annan faxed Iraq this resolution last Friday morning at about 10:53 in the morning. One could say that should be the time limit that Iraq has before it complies.
Mr. Kofi Annan, the secretary-general, goes on to Washington today and gets honored at a dinner with Colin Powell tonight and meets with President Bush on Wednesday -- Paula.
ZAHN: But once again, I know you talked about this one U.S. diplomat calling it a farce. Is that the perception that this response is just a joke, and the only response that really downs is that of Saddam Hussein?
ROTH: Well, each country has its own procedures, but everyone here knows full well that Saddam Hussein is the man that has the real power. So they almost slough it off, and they're waiting to see what he says and the Revolution Command Council, which tends to have meetings during the day and sometimes they are held on Iraqi television at night, and it never lines up with Security council meetings at the same time, but everyone here is not panicking yet.
ZAHN: What is the impact on this for inspectors who are waiting for a trip. Hans Blix, the chief weapons inspector is supposed to fly in Friday night. They're supposed to go in with 17 to 20 people into Baghdad, and that would be on hold if Iraq does say no, but nobody's unpacking their bags just yet.
Richard Roth, appreciate it.
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 November 12, 2002 - 09:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It, of course, will not be the last word, but the Iraqi parliament's rejection this morning of the U.N. resolution is not being treated as a positive sign. The White House is dismissing that move this morning as pure theater. Now to find out how the U.S. diplomats are responding, we go to our own Richard Roth, who is standing by at the U.N., almost his home away from home over the last six weeks or so.
Good morning, Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
One United States official here this morning called the Iraqi parliament decision to reject this return of weapons inspectors a farce. However, the official said we're all waiting to see how Iraq will officially respond. This official said if Iraq does reject this resolution, it would be a big mistake, because it would mean war. The Security Council deals with other world trouble spots this week, but everyone is keeping a close eye on Iraq.
Diplomats here, Paula, are very used to needing patience when dealing with the Iraqi regime,so no one is getting too nervous idea. The deadline is Friday. Kofi Annan faxed Iraq this resolution last Friday morning at about 10:53 in the morning. One could say that should be the time limit that Iraq has before it complies.
Mr. Kofi Annan, the secretary-general, goes on to Washington today and gets honored at a dinner with Colin Powell tonight and meets with President Bush on Wednesday -- Paula.
ZAHN: But once again, I know you talked about this one U.S. diplomat calling it a farce. Is that the perception that this response is just a joke, and the only response that really downs is that of Saddam Hussein?
ROTH: Well, each country has its own procedures, but everyone here knows full well that Saddam Hussein is the man that has the real power. So they almost slough it off, and they're waiting to see what he says and the Revolution Command Council, which tends to have meetings during the day and sometimes they are held on Iraqi television at night, and it never lines up with Security council meetings at the same time, but everyone here is not panicking yet.
ZAHN: What is the impact on this for inspectors who are waiting for a trip. Hans Blix, the chief weapons inspector is supposed to fly in Friday night. They're supposed to go in with 17 to 20 people into Baghdad, and that would be on hold if Iraq does say no, but nobody's unpacking their bags just yet.
Richard Roth, appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
