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American Morning
What is Next Step for U.S.?
Aired February 10, 2003 - 07:06 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: Hans Blix, meanwhile, says U.N. inspectors don't have to ask for more time in Iraq. He also says they have a mandate that can only be terminated by the Security Council.
He talked with our Richard Roth this morning. Here's exactly what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: Actually people when they ask the question, do you want a few more months, it's really inappropriately put, because we have a mandate. There's no end to that. If it is to be terminated, it is to be terminated by the Security Council.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZAHN: Well, would more inspections really do any good? Russia, Germany and France are holding talks aimed at putting off military action. As we mentioned, NATO is blocking preparations that would protect Turkey in the event of war.
So, what is the next step?
Let's check in with Suzanne Malveaux, who is standing by at the White House with more.
Good morning -- Suzanne. You just heard Robin talk about what a blow this was to NATO to have France, Belgium and Germany take the action they did. How much of a slap in the face is this to the United States?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
Well, you know, White House officials are really furious over NATO's refusal to protect Turkey in the event of a war. We heard over the weekend that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Colin Powell both calling this inexcusable.
The administration has really put an incredible amount of political capital in trying to get Turkey to commit its resources. So far, Turkey is allowing the U.S. to upgrade its bases, but has not committed to allowing U.S. troops on the ground. That decision is not going to be made until next week.
And the timing for this administration could not be worse. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: France and Germany are good friends and good allies, but I think it is no secret that we believe that blocking, for instance, NATO's preparations to defend Turkey is not helpful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Also not helpful and complicating the matter for the administration is, over the weekend, and as you have just seen just before, that U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix talking about Saddam Hussein with renewed promises of cooperation. Well, the White House saying that they really don't take any of that seriously. What they're going to look for is on Friday when the weapons inspectors go back to the U.N. Security Council for their final report, they say then the window of time is very, very short for Saddam Hussein -- Paula.
ZAHN: Thanks, Suzanne -- Suzanne Malveaux reporting from the White House for us this morning.
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 February 10, 2003 - 07:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Hans Blix, meanwhile, says U.N. inspectors don't have to ask for more time in Iraq. He also says they have a mandate that can only be terminated by the Security Council.
He talked with our Richard Roth this morning. Here's exactly what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: Actually people when they ask the question, do you want a few more months, it's really inappropriately put, because we have a mandate. There's no end to that. If it is to be terminated, it is to be terminated by the Security Council.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZAHN: Well, would more inspections really do any good? Russia, Germany and France are holding talks aimed at putting off military action. As we mentioned, NATO is blocking preparations that would protect Turkey in the event of war.
So, what is the next step?
Let's check in with Suzanne Malveaux, who is standing by at the White House with more.
Good morning -- Suzanne. You just heard Robin talk about what a blow this was to NATO to have France, Belgium and Germany take the action they did. How much of a slap in the face is this to the United States?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
Well, you know, White House officials are really furious over NATO's refusal to protect Turkey in the event of a war. We heard over the weekend that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Colin Powell both calling this inexcusable.
The administration has really put an incredible amount of political capital in trying to get Turkey to commit its resources. So far, Turkey is allowing the U.S. to upgrade its bases, but has not committed to allowing U.S. troops on the ground. That decision is not going to be made until next week.
And the timing for this administration could not be worse. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: France and Germany are good friends and good allies, but I think it is no secret that we believe that blocking, for instance, NATO's preparations to defend Turkey is not helpful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Also not helpful and complicating the matter for the administration is, over the weekend, and as you have just seen just before, that U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix talking about Saddam Hussein with renewed promises of cooperation. Well, the White House saying that they really don't take any of that seriously. What they're going to look for is on Friday when the weapons inspectors go back to the U.N. Security Council for their final report, they say then the window of time is very, very short for Saddam Hussein -- Paula.
ZAHN: Thanks, Suzanne -- Suzanne Malveaux reporting from the White House for us this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
