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American Morning
U.N. Debate
Aired February 19, 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: In just an hour from now, a debate on Iraq resumes at the United Nations, where opposition is very strong to a U.S.-led war against Baghdad. Richard Roth standing by there with a preview.
Good morning, Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
More than two dozen countries, again, will speak to the Security Council. It's an open debate. Any country can say what it wants. A chance for the non-Security Council members to air their views on Iraq. Yesterday, some 27 speakers, a majority saying that all diplomatic options have yet to be exhausted, and thus, that route should be pursued, and not war. Plus, many diplomats saying the war would be disastrous for the region.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMB. JAVAD ZARIF, IRANIAN AMB.: We cannot accept that the priorities of one power could provide the criteria for the effectiveness or relevance of the United Nations.
AMB. DUMISANI KUMALO, SOUTH AFRICAN AMB.: None of the information provided thus far would seem to justify the Security Council abandoning the inspections process and immediately resulting to the threatened -- quote -- "serious consequences" -- end quote.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: The United States, United Kingdom waiting for this debate to end before even considering presenting a second resolution, which would, in effect, be an authorization for war against Iraq. That resolution would be introduced later in the week, next week or maybe never, if certain permanent powers, such as France and Russia, tell the United States they intend to use their veto. That could be unlikely, but diplomats have a lot of work to do between Washington and London, and perhaps even in the U.S. government itself, to resolve differences over what to put in this simple resolution aimed at Baghdad, but needing the support of the Security Council -- Paula.
ZAHN: So, Richard, Is the next big date we should be focused in on February 28th?
ROTH: You could. It does mean that winter is soon to be over. But more importantly, Hans Blix has a date with the Security Council to file an updated report. And many countries will be looking to see just how cooperative Iraq is in Blix's mind.
ZAHN: All right, we're going to leave it there, Richard. Good luck later today.
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 19, 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: In just an hour from now, a debate on Iraq resumes at the United Nations, where opposition is very strong to a U.S.-led war against Baghdad. Richard Roth standing by there with a preview.
Good morning, Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
More than two dozen countries, again, will speak to the Security Council. It's an open debate. Any country can say what it wants. A chance for the non-Security Council members to air their views on Iraq. Yesterday, some 27 speakers, a majority saying that all diplomatic options have yet to be exhausted, and thus, that route should be pursued, and not war. Plus, many diplomats saying the war would be disastrous for the region.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMB. JAVAD ZARIF, IRANIAN AMB.: We cannot accept that the priorities of one power could provide the criteria for the effectiveness or relevance of the United Nations.
AMB. DUMISANI KUMALO, SOUTH AFRICAN AMB.: None of the information provided thus far would seem to justify the Security Council abandoning the inspections process and immediately resulting to the threatened -- quote -- "serious consequences" -- end quote.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: The United States, United Kingdom waiting for this debate to end before even considering presenting a second resolution, which would, in effect, be an authorization for war against Iraq. That resolution would be introduced later in the week, next week or maybe never, if certain permanent powers, such as France and Russia, tell the United States they intend to use their veto. That could be unlikely, but diplomats have a lot of work to do between Washington and London, and perhaps even in the U.S. government itself, to resolve differences over what to put in this simple resolution aimed at Baghdad, but needing the support of the Security Council -- Paula.
ZAHN: So, Richard, Is the next big date we should be focused in on February 28th?
ROTH: You could. It does mean that winter is soon to be over. But more importantly, Hans Blix has a date with the Security Council to file an updated report. And many countries will be looking to see just how cooperative Iraq is in Blix's mind.
ZAHN: All right, we're going to leave it there, Richard. Good luck later today.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
