Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Iraqi Parliament Will Hold Session Tomorrow Morning
Aired February 13, 2003 - 09:19 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: More now on some of the breaking news we're following at this hour, reports that the Iraqi parliament will hold an extraordinary session tomorrow morning.
Nic Robertson standing by in Baghdad with details on that.
Good morning, Nic.
What's the session all about?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paula, we just don't know at this time. It's due to take place just 2 1/2 hours before Hans Blix is due to go to the U.N. Security Council.
I talked with a member of the National Assembly earlier. He told me he didn't know, that he suspected it would be something important. Now, of course, Hans Blix, Mohamed ElBaradei, here in Baghdad. One of their key demands was that Iraqi officials should pass legislation banning weapons of mass destruction.
So, of course, that is a possibility, but at this stage it is only a possibility, that the National Assembly could move to put in place that type of legislation. It could also just meet to show its support for President Saddam Hussein.
This is something the national assembly also does at times, just like this, Paula.
ZAHN: And when's the last time the National Assembly came together?
ROBERTSON: Paula, I don't know the exact date when it came together. Its normal run of business is to -- is to vote on important issues, is to work towards legislation for the country. There was an important issue before the U.N. weapons inspectors, were invited to come to Iraq. The president's son, Uday Saddam Hussein, appeared before the assembly and told them that it was important that they voted to allow the weapons inspectors to come to the country. It was important for them.
However, the assembly voted against that, but not long after that. Of course, not long after that, there was an agreement to bring the weapons inspectors into the country. So it does happen. The assembly does get together, and at key times like this, a lot of people outside of Iraq, looking to see exactly what they'll do -- Paula.
ZAHN: Nic Robertson, thank you for the update. Nic reporting from Baghdad for us.
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 13, 2003 - 09:19 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: More now on some of the breaking news we're following at this hour, reports that the Iraqi parliament will hold an extraordinary session tomorrow morning.
Nic Robertson standing by in Baghdad with details on that.
Good morning, Nic.
What's the session all about?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paula, we just don't know at this time. It's due to take place just 2 1/2 hours before Hans Blix is due to go to the U.N. Security Council.
I talked with a member of the National Assembly earlier. He told me he didn't know, that he suspected it would be something important. Now, of course, Hans Blix, Mohamed ElBaradei, here in Baghdad. One of their key demands was that Iraqi officials should pass legislation banning weapons of mass destruction.
So, of course, that is a possibility, but at this stage it is only a possibility, that the National Assembly could move to put in place that type of legislation. It could also just meet to show its support for President Saddam Hussein.
This is something the national assembly also does at times, just like this, Paula.
ZAHN: And when's the last time the National Assembly came together?
ROBERTSON: Paula, I don't know the exact date when it came together. Its normal run of business is to -- is to vote on important issues, is to work towards legislation for the country. There was an important issue before the U.N. weapons inspectors, were invited to come to Iraq. The president's son, Uday Saddam Hussein, appeared before the assembly and told them that it was important that they voted to allow the weapons inspectors to come to the country. It was important for them.
However, the assembly voted against that, but not long after that. Of course, not long after that, there was an agreement to bring the weapons inspectors into the country. So it does happen. The assembly does get together, and at key times like this, a lot of people outside of Iraq, looking to see exactly what they'll do -- Paula.
ZAHN: Nic Robertson, thank you for the update. Nic reporting from Baghdad for us.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
