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American Morning
Top Weapons Inspectors Have Arrived at United Nations
Aired January 27, 2003 - 09:05 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: The U.N. top weapons inspectors have just arrived at the United Nations, and in a little more than an hour, they will deliver their report to the Security Council. Chief weapons inspectors Hans Blix is expected to give a tough assessment of Iraq's compliance during the last two months, although Richard Roth, who joins us the from the U.N., might have more to add to that. That suggests it might be a more mixed bag picture.
Dana Bash is standing by at the White House. Let's start off this morning with U.N. correspondent Richard Roth.
Richard, what is Mr. Blix likely to say, and will it be sort of a gray and not a black-and-white report?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN U.N. CORRESPONDENT: A lot of anticipation for the Blix remarks, 15 pages in length, expected to detail many examples of Iraq not cooperating. This is a short time ago, Hans Blix arriving this morning at the United Nations. He said no comments today, it's sunny, but Nordic weather; he noted how cold it was outside. He had no comment outside and also no comment inside, as you see him coming through the revolving doors there, talking to his press spokesman. Blix will then enter the elevator and put the finishing touches on his remarks.
Blix is likely to state how Iraq has not cooperated on U-2 reconnaissance overflights, explaining 16 empty chemical warhead shells, also not exactly backing independent private interviews with Iraqi scientists. There is a lot he has to tell the council. He went to Baghdad. He still has gaps account for that Baghdad is not coming through on -- Paula.
ZAHN: And the most obvious gaps are the ones you just mentioned?
ROTH: Yes, plus detailing what exactly happened to a lot of VX and anthrax supplies that Iraq has still not accounted for. Iraq insists it has no weapon was mass destruction. The foreign minister says super cooperation by Baghdad. Blix is not likely to match that rating.
ZAHN: Going into the report, can you give us a sense of how people, diplomats are reacting to what we think will be in it?
ROTH: Well, diplomats are fearful the U.S. might rush to war. They would like to see a smoking gun. They expect this to be an update. And two days from now, the council members go behind closed doors to thrash out where they stand. U.S. Playing two different ways, backing inspectors, and last week Colin Powell saying inspections don't work. They'll probably give Blix and Mohamed Elbaradei of the IAEA more time, though.
ZAHN: Richard Roth, we'll check in with Dana Bash. Thanks so much, Richard. See you a little bit later on this morning,
Dana, now for the perspective of the White House, what are you hearing today?
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, just as Richard said, senior administration officials are not ruling out giving the inspections more time, but senior administration officials are also making clear that they don't believe the report today will show that Iraq is complying, and by complying, they mean that is disarming.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: If we continue to play the game of hide and seek it will, at this rate, take 290 years for us to find all of those 30,000 chemical weapon warheads, and that's unacceptable. The timetable is such that Saddam Hussein is running out of time, but the burden is on him to comply, and I the think the president will highlight that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: Now the White House chief of staff Andy Card was speaking of course about the president's speech tomorrow night, the State of the Union speech, spent some time over the weekend practicing and again today on a teleprompter. Aides say the president will lay out the case for America that Saddam Hussein is a very real threat, and he will say that the prospects for war are very real.
He will face a nation and a Congress that are very skeptical of going ahead with military action without evidence that the U.S. says Saddam Hussein does have weapons of mass destruction. The president probably won't give very much specific in terms of evidence, but aides are saying that that evidence will come soon, maybe in a matter of days -- Paula.
ZAHN: But clearly, Dana, the administration recognizes when they look at the polling that there is eroding support for going Iraq, particularly without the U.N. Americans -- there was a "Wall Street Journal" polls showing that Americans, 72 percent, wanted to see the evidence. Doesn't he got to lay out some of that in the State of the Union Address?
BASH: Well, he does. What the White House is saying is what the president is going to do is explain why he this Saddam Hussein is a threat. He might give a little bit of new evidence, but he's going try to lay out of the case for the past wrongs that he says Saddam Hussein has done, the kind of weapons that he believes Saddam Hussein has, but there is no question that the Americans polls show do want some international support, which is also why you're hearing administration officials say even if the U.N. doesn't go along with this, there will be a coalition of the willing. You heard Colin Powell say that and others say that time and time again. ZAHN: For your sake, I hope we let you go inside to watch what is expected to be an hour's worth of talking from Hans Blix and Mohammad Elbaradei.
Stay warm. Thanks, Dana.
BASH: Thanks, Paula.
ZAHN: Let's check in with Bill now, who made it very clear us to that he is not suffering in the 60 degree temperatures in Kuwait City.
Good morning, Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, Paula, again, that's one of the really pleasant things about Kuwait City today, 65 and sunny earlier this afternoon. One problem that chief inspector Hans Blix is expected to address today, those interviews with Iraqi scientists. Iraq says it's encouraging its own scientists to meet privately with inspectors, but they have been unwilling to do that, and the U.S. says the scientists are still under government pressure. Paul Wolfowitz was talking about this very thing in New York last Thursday.
Let's get to Baghdad and Nic Robertson for more on this angle of the story.
Nic, hello you there.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill. Well, Naji Sabri, Iraq's foreign minister, in a 45-minute news briefing here, did address that. He said that Iraq was doing what it was required to under U.N. resolution 1441, making it possible for the inspectors to get to the scientists. He said just the scientists were unwilling, didn't feel comfortable about going through with those private interviews.
He said Iraq's compliance, however, has been super-cooperation, and for that reason, the Security Council should consider lifting the U.N. sanctions. While everyone has been talking about war, however, he did indicate there may be space tore diplomacy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NAJI SABRI, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER: All times are for diplomacy. The ones who say there are no time for diplomacy are warmongers, and those who are fond of exporting death and destruction to others, those who are fond of exporting evil to other nations, those who find themselves, who only find themselves in war and destruction to others, who cannot see themselves living properly among other nations, except by launching aggression against others, and killing others and causing misery and destruction to other nations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: Now those two countries he was talking about there where the United States and Great Britain. He was very keen to point out that the only ally he says the United States has at this time is Tony Blair, the British prime minister -- Bill.
HEMMER: Nic Robertson in Baghdad. Nic, thanks to you.
About two months running now and counting for the inspections in Baghdad. How much longer they continue is something that will certainly be argued at the U.N., starting today in New York. Speaking of New York, here is Paula again -- Paula.
ZAHN: Thanks, Bill.
We are counting down to this morning a report to the Security Council by Hans Blix and Mohammed Elbaradei. The big question, has Baghdad passed the test? Joining us now is ambassador Joseph Wilson, former deputy chief of mission in Baghdad, and one of the last Americans to sit down face to face with Saddam Hussein.
Welcome back, Mr. Ambassador.
My question to you this morning, based on what you heard so far that will be in the report, are there clear material breaches here?
AMB. JOSEPH WILSON, FMR. U.S. CHARGE D'AFFAIRS: I think the first Iraqi declaration that was made was a material breach, in that they did not comply with the resolution 1441, and effectively and proactively disarming and assisting the inspectors in that.
The question really is, what constitutes sufficient grounds to launch the invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of the government and occupation of Iraq for the foreseeable future?
ZAHN: Do you want to try to answer that? What would constitute -- what would you see as a legitimate reason to go into Iraq militarily?
WILSON: I mean, as I see the differences articulated between United States, and Europeans and others in the world, it is whether or not we launch this sort of invasive war, a total war, which will leave us occupying Iraq for maybe the next decade, or do we run a more limited operation designed to support the U.N. inspectors and resolution 1441, which is to say forcible disarmament, and it's not clear to me that we have support to do the former, i.e. invade Iraq, and it's also not clear to me that to me that we're prepared to do the latter, a more limited military operation.
ZAHN: How would forcible disarmament work?
WILSON: Well, I think, first of all, you just ensure that the inspectors have the muscle to do their jobs, so when the Iraqis are posing an obstacle or when they're reverting to hide-and-seek or cheat-and-retreat, whatever you want to call it, then we take a specific pinpointed targeted military action on the site in question.
For example, if Iraq decides to pose an obstacle, or if the Iraqis get advance notice that we're going -- that the inspectors are going to inspect a site, and they're caught moving stuff out the back door, then I would suggest that prompt military action at that site and convoy moving out back door would be totally appropriate. That's a far cry from moving the mechanized cavalry divisions and the infantry divisions into Baghdad and all that entails.
ZAHN: But without some sort of military threat, do you think extending this inspection period, which I guess appears is pretty likely right now, an addition three or four weeks, is going to make any difference at all?
WILSON: I've always said you need credible threat of force and you need to be able to be prepared to act on it. The trick here is using smart military force for the right reasons and not something stupid. And everybody in the world, public opinion polls and friendly governments, are suggesting by their actions and by their words that the prospect of invasion to Baghdad for the purposes of decapitating the regime and then the consequent occupation of Iraq, doesn't seem very smart at this stage when something less intrusive and less violent should be considered.
ZAHN: We always appreciate your insight so much so we would love you to hang around for another hour. We know you're part of our special events coverage. We look forward to that expertise a little bit later this morning, ambassador Joseph Wilson.
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 27, 2003 - 09:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: The U.N. top weapons inspectors have just arrived at the United Nations, and in a little more than an hour, they will deliver their report to the Security Council. Chief weapons inspectors Hans Blix is expected to give a tough assessment of Iraq's compliance during the last two months, although Richard Roth, who joins us the from the U.N., might have more to add to that. That suggests it might be a more mixed bag picture.
Dana Bash is standing by at the White House. Let's start off this morning with U.N. correspondent Richard Roth.
Richard, what is Mr. Blix likely to say, and will it be sort of a gray and not a black-and-white report?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN U.N. CORRESPONDENT: A lot of anticipation for the Blix remarks, 15 pages in length, expected to detail many examples of Iraq not cooperating. This is a short time ago, Hans Blix arriving this morning at the United Nations. He said no comments today, it's sunny, but Nordic weather; he noted how cold it was outside. He had no comment outside and also no comment inside, as you see him coming through the revolving doors there, talking to his press spokesman. Blix will then enter the elevator and put the finishing touches on his remarks.
Blix is likely to state how Iraq has not cooperated on U-2 reconnaissance overflights, explaining 16 empty chemical warhead shells, also not exactly backing independent private interviews with Iraqi scientists. There is a lot he has to tell the council. He went to Baghdad. He still has gaps account for that Baghdad is not coming through on -- Paula.
ZAHN: And the most obvious gaps are the ones you just mentioned?
ROTH: Yes, plus detailing what exactly happened to a lot of VX and anthrax supplies that Iraq has still not accounted for. Iraq insists it has no weapon was mass destruction. The foreign minister says super cooperation by Baghdad. Blix is not likely to match that rating.
ZAHN: Going into the report, can you give us a sense of how people, diplomats are reacting to what we think will be in it?
ROTH: Well, diplomats are fearful the U.S. might rush to war. They would like to see a smoking gun. They expect this to be an update. And two days from now, the council members go behind closed doors to thrash out where they stand. U.S. Playing two different ways, backing inspectors, and last week Colin Powell saying inspections don't work. They'll probably give Blix and Mohamed Elbaradei of the IAEA more time, though.
ZAHN: Richard Roth, we'll check in with Dana Bash. Thanks so much, Richard. See you a little bit later on this morning,
Dana, now for the perspective of the White House, what are you hearing today?
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, just as Richard said, senior administration officials are not ruling out giving the inspections more time, but senior administration officials are also making clear that they don't believe the report today will show that Iraq is complying, and by complying, they mean that is disarming.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: If we continue to play the game of hide and seek it will, at this rate, take 290 years for us to find all of those 30,000 chemical weapon warheads, and that's unacceptable. The timetable is such that Saddam Hussein is running out of time, but the burden is on him to comply, and I the think the president will highlight that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: Now the White House chief of staff Andy Card was speaking of course about the president's speech tomorrow night, the State of the Union speech, spent some time over the weekend practicing and again today on a teleprompter. Aides say the president will lay out the case for America that Saddam Hussein is a very real threat, and he will say that the prospects for war are very real.
He will face a nation and a Congress that are very skeptical of going ahead with military action without evidence that the U.S. says Saddam Hussein does have weapons of mass destruction. The president probably won't give very much specific in terms of evidence, but aides are saying that that evidence will come soon, maybe in a matter of days -- Paula.
ZAHN: But clearly, Dana, the administration recognizes when they look at the polling that there is eroding support for going Iraq, particularly without the U.N. Americans -- there was a "Wall Street Journal" polls showing that Americans, 72 percent, wanted to see the evidence. Doesn't he got to lay out some of that in the State of the Union Address?
BASH: Well, he does. What the White House is saying is what the president is going to do is explain why he this Saddam Hussein is a threat. He might give a little bit of new evidence, but he's going try to lay out of the case for the past wrongs that he says Saddam Hussein has done, the kind of weapons that he believes Saddam Hussein has, but there is no question that the Americans polls show do want some international support, which is also why you're hearing administration officials say even if the U.N. doesn't go along with this, there will be a coalition of the willing. You heard Colin Powell say that and others say that time and time again. ZAHN: For your sake, I hope we let you go inside to watch what is expected to be an hour's worth of talking from Hans Blix and Mohammad Elbaradei.
Stay warm. Thanks, Dana.
BASH: Thanks, Paula.
ZAHN: Let's check in with Bill now, who made it very clear us to that he is not suffering in the 60 degree temperatures in Kuwait City.
Good morning, Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, Paula, again, that's one of the really pleasant things about Kuwait City today, 65 and sunny earlier this afternoon. One problem that chief inspector Hans Blix is expected to address today, those interviews with Iraqi scientists. Iraq says it's encouraging its own scientists to meet privately with inspectors, but they have been unwilling to do that, and the U.S. says the scientists are still under government pressure. Paul Wolfowitz was talking about this very thing in New York last Thursday.
Let's get to Baghdad and Nic Robertson for more on this angle of the story.
Nic, hello you there.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill. Well, Naji Sabri, Iraq's foreign minister, in a 45-minute news briefing here, did address that. He said that Iraq was doing what it was required to under U.N. resolution 1441, making it possible for the inspectors to get to the scientists. He said just the scientists were unwilling, didn't feel comfortable about going through with those private interviews.
He said Iraq's compliance, however, has been super-cooperation, and for that reason, the Security Council should consider lifting the U.N. sanctions. While everyone has been talking about war, however, he did indicate there may be space tore diplomacy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NAJI SABRI, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER: All times are for diplomacy. The ones who say there are no time for diplomacy are warmongers, and those who are fond of exporting death and destruction to others, those who are fond of exporting evil to other nations, those who find themselves, who only find themselves in war and destruction to others, who cannot see themselves living properly among other nations, except by launching aggression against others, and killing others and causing misery and destruction to other nations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: Now those two countries he was talking about there where the United States and Great Britain. He was very keen to point out that the only ally he says the United States has at this time is Tony Blair, the British prime minister -- Bill.
HEMMER: Nic Robertson in Baghdad. Nic, thanks to you.
About two months running now and counting for the inspections in Baghdad. How much longer they continue is something that will certainly be argued at the U.N., starting today in New York. Speaking of New York, here is Paula again -- Paula.
ZAHN: Thanks, Bill.
We are counting down to this morning a report to the Security Council by Hans Blix and Mohammed Elbaradei. The big question, has Baghdad passed the test? Joining us now is ambassador Joseph Wilson, former deputy chief of mission in Baghdad, and one of the last Americans to sit down face to face with Saddam Hussein.
Welcome back, Mr. Ambassador.
My question to you this morning, based on what you heard so far that will be in the report, are there clear material breaches here?
AMB. JOSEPH WILSON, FMR. U.S. CHARGE D'AFFAIRS: I think the first Iraqi declaration that was made was a material breach, in that they did not comply with the resolution 1441, and effectively and proactively disarming and assisting the inspectors in that.
The question really is, what constitutes sufficient grounds to launch the invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of the government and occupation of Iraq for the foreseeable future?
ZAHN: Do you want to try to answer that? What would constitute -- what would you see as a legitimate reason to go into Iraq militarily?
WILSON: I mean, as I see the differences articulated between United States, and Europeans and others in the world, it is whether or not we launch this sort of invasive war, a total war, which will leave us occupying Iraq for maybe the next decade, or do we run a more limited operation designed to support the U.N. inspectors and resolution 1441, which is to say forcible disarmament, and it's not clear to me that we have support to do the former, i.e. invade Iraq, and it's also not clear to me that to me that we're prepared to do the latter, a more limited military operation.
ZAHN: How would forcible disarmament work?
WILSON: Well, I think, first of all, you just ensure that the inspectors have the muscle to do their jobs, so when the Iraqis are posing an obstacle or when they're reverting to hide-and-seek or cheat-and-retreat, whatever you want to call it, then we take a specific pinpointed targeted military action on the site in question.
For example, if Iraq decides to pose an obstacle, or if the Iraqis get advance notice that we're going -- that the inspectors are going to inspect a site, and they're caught moving stuff out the back door, then I would suggest that prompt military action at that site and convoy moving out back door would be totally appropriate. That's a far cry from moving the mechanized cavalry divisions and the infantry divisions into Baghdad and all that entails.
ZAHN: But without some sort of military threat, do you think extending this inspection period, which I guess appears is pretty likely right now, an addition three or four weeks, is going to make any difference at all?
WILSON: I've always said you need credible threat of force and you need to be able to be prepared to act on it. The trick here is using smart military force for the right reasons and not something stupid. And everybody in the world, public opinion polls and friendly governments, are suggesting by their actions and by their words that the prospect of invasion to Baghdad for the purposes of decapitating the regime and then the consequent occupation of Iraq, doesn't seem very smart at this stage when something less intrusive and less violent should be considered.
ZAHN: We always appreciate your insight so much so we would love you to hang around for another hour. We know you're part of our special events coverage. We look forward to that expertise a little bit later this morning, ambassador Joseph Wilson.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
