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American Morning
Mixed Messages from Iraqi Leadership
Aired December 05, 2002 - 09:03 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: Back to Iraq right now. Saddam Hussein says he has given the inspectors the chance to prove that the U.S. is wrong about its weapons programs. Only yesterday, though, Iraq's vice president accused the U.N. team of spying.
Nic Robertson back with us in Baghdad for the latest there. And Nic, the big question in this part of the world, how do we reconcile these two statements from the Iraqi leaders?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the one from the vice president late last night was addressed to an Arab audience, Arab journalists, a delegation from Egypt. Iraq has been really reaching out to try and find friends to sell its message in the region, and I think that's why Taha Yassin Ramadan really accused the United States and Israel of funding the spying operation of the U.N. inspection team here.
The president, Saddam Hussein, today very much addressing the people of Iraq, appearing for, really, one of his first times on television here since the inspection process began, and in a statement telling the people of Iraq that they face a test, that they should show their capacity for bearing that test, saying that the accusations from the United States that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, the U.N. weapons team should be given an opportunity to prove them wrong.
In a statement saying, "We shall provide them," that is the weapons inspectors, "with such a chance. After which, if the weaklings remain and the cowardly remain coward, we shall take the stand that befits our people, principles and mission."
Not quite clear what that means, Bill, but possibly there an indication that if things don't go their way, then the country should be ready for some tough consequences -- Bill.
HEMMER: And with the Muslim holiday, no inspections today or tomorrow, Thursday and Friday, and again, we expect that list to be turned in on Saturday, according to the Iraqis. Nic, thanks. Nic Robertson in Baghdad.
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 December 5, 2002 - 09:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to Iraq right now. Saddam Hussein says he has given the inspectors the chance to prove that the U.S. is wrong about its weapons programs. Only yesterday, though, Iraq's vice president accused the U.N. team of spying.
Nic Robertson back with us in Baghdad for the latest there. And Nic, the big question in this part of the world, how do we reconcile these two statements from the Iraqi leaders?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the one from the vice president late last night was addressed to an Arab audience, Arab journalists, a delegation from Egypt. Iraq has been really reaching out to try and find friends to sell its message in the region, and I think that's why Taha Yassin Ramadan really accused the United States and Israel of funding the spying operation of the U.N. inspection team here.
The president, Saddam Hussein, today very much addressing the people of Iraq, appearing for, really, one of his first times on television here since the inspection process began, and in a statement telling the people of Iraq that they face a test, that they should show their capacity for bearing that test, saying that the accusations from the United States that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, the U.N. weapons team should be given an opportunity to prove them wrong.
In a statement saying, "We shall provide them," that is the weapons inspectors, "with such a chance. After which, if the weaklings remain and the cowardly remain coward, we shall take the stand that befits our people, principles and mission."
Not quite clear what that means, Bill, but possibly there an indication that if things don't go their way, then the country should be ready for some tough consequences -- Bill.
HEMMER: And with the Muslim holiday, no inspections today or tomorrow, Thursday and Friday, and again, we expect that list to be turned in on Saturday, according to the Iraqis. Nic, thanks. Nic Robertson in Baghdad.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
