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American Morning
Declaration Urges Iraq to Comply with U.N.
Aired January 23, 2003 - 09:32 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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: With this latest warning from Washington, we go to Baghdad for reaction. Nic Robertson standing by there.
Good morning, Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
Well, no official reaction to Condoleezza Rice's article here, but perhaps looking in the newspapers here, it gives us a hint of the thinking in the leadership. This newspaper run by President Saddam Hussein's son, an article in here today says that United States should look at September 11th, and says the blood that was shed September 11th would be nothing no in comparison with the blood shed should the United States attack Iraq.
We've been seeing daily demonstrations here, another indication that the Iraq's leadership is preparing the country for war. President Saddam Hussein also appearing daily on television now. Last night, appearing to refer to the murder of a U.S. citizen in Kuwait, saying that anyone would could buy a rifle there, despite all of the lies it says the United States -- despite the lies he says the United States has been telling in the region, its citizens being killed there -- Paula.
ZAHN: Nic Robertson, appreciate that live report.
Now, we had mentioned a little bit earlier that Turkey is playing host to foreign ministers from five Middle Eastern nations, the goal, trying to avert war against Iraq. They plan to issue a draft declaration today, demanding that Iraq fully cooperate with U.N. inspectors.
Joining us now with more details from Istanbul is Jane Arraf.
Good morning, Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
These foreign ministers, whose countries would be perhaps most affected by any war apart from Iraq are warning that a war would be absolute catastrophe, not just on Iraq, but on the neighboring region.
Now many of the countries in the same beet boat, they are strong U.S. allies of Iraq, but they face populations that are very anti- war.
Now, according to one of them, Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher, it's not just war that is worrying, but what comes after.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARWAN MUASHER, JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: I think what we are more concerned about his post-war Iraq, and ability for Iraq to stay together as one country. I think this is something that everybody is concerned with, the territorial integrity of Iraq, the unity of Iraq, is something that is on the minds of everyone, and we want to make sure that if war happens, that such unity is preserved.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARRAF: Now these countries are trying to send several messages here, one that Iraq has to cooperate more with the U.N., but also a message that they themselves, the countries surrounding Iraq, are trying to do everything they can to avert war -- Paula.
ZAHN: Thanks for giving us a preview of what might be found in the final document they put together there. Jane Arraf, on a glorious day in Istanbul.
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 January 23, 2003 - 09:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: With this latest warning from Washington, we go to Baghdad for reaction. Nic Robertson standing by there.
Good morning, Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
Well, no official reaction to Condoleezza Rice's article here, but perhaps looking in the newspapers here, it gives us a hint of the thinking in the leadership. This newspaper run by President Saddam Hussein's son, an article in here today says that United States should look at September 11th, and says the blood that was shed September 11th would be nothing no in comparison with the blood shed should the United States attack Iraq.
We've been seeing daily demonstrations here, another indication that the Iraq's leadership is preparing the country for war. President Saddam Hussein also appearing daily on television now. Last night, appearing to refer to the murder of a U.S. citizen in Kuwait, saying that anyone would could buy a rifle there, despite all of the lies it says the United States -- despite the lies he says the United States has been telling in the region, its citizens being killed there -- Paula.
ZAHN: Nic Robertson, appreciate that live report.
Now, we had mentioned a little bit earlier that Turkey is playing host to foreign ministers from five Middle Eastern nations, the goal, trying to avert war against Iraq. They plan to issue a draft declaration today, demanding that Iraq fully cooperate with U.N. inspectors.
Joining us now with more details from Istanbul is Jane Arraf.
Good morning, Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
These foreign ministers, whose countries would be perhaps most affected by any war apart from Iraq are warning that a war would be absolute catastrophe, not just on Iraq, but on the neighboring region.
Now many of the countries in the same beet boat, they are strong U.S. allies of Iraq, but they face populations that are very anti- war.
Now, according to one of them, Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher, it's not just war that is worrying, but what comes after.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARWAN MUASHER, JORDANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: I think what we are more concerned about his post-war Iraq, and ability for Iraq to stay together as one country. I think this is something that everybody is concerned with, the territorial integrity of Iraq, the unity of Iraq, is something that is on the minds of everyone, and we want to make sure that if war happens, that such unity is preserved.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARRAF: Now these countries are trying to send several messages here, one that Iraq has to cooperate more with the U.N., but also a message that they themselves, the countries surrounding Iraq, are trying to do everything they can to avert war -- Paula.
ZAHN: Thanks for giving us a preview of what might be found in the final document they put together there. Jane Arraf, on a glorious day in Istanbul.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
