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New U.N. Resolution Will Make Its Way Around Security Council Today
Aired February 25, 2003 - 08:33 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 new U.N. resolution introduced by the U.S., Britain and Spain will make its way around the Security Council today. The resolution, which finds Iraq -- quote -- "in further material breach" could clear the way for military action against Baghdad, and at the same time provide some political cover for members of the Security Council.
Let's turn to senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth, who joins us from the U.N. this morning.
Good morning, Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
Picking up on what you and Bill were saying, Security Council members could be going at it like cats and dogs here at the United Nations over the next few weeks. U.S. ambassador to the United States John Negroponte telling security members upon introducing a new resolution that Iraq has failed to take the final opportunity afforded it on disarmament.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMB. TO U.N.: We've listened carefully to the many voices calling for more time. But 11 years, 10 months and 23 days is more than enough time for Saddam Hussein to prove that he has disarmed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: The French ambassador, though, completely different story. France, backed by Russia and Germany, floating their own proposal, a counterproposal, not a resolution. But basically, it gives the inspectors at least four more months to do their work.
The French ambassador there went on to say that there should be a new timeline for the inspectors, at least several more weeks and then two more months after Iraq is told what it has to do. All of this is totally unsatisfactory for the United States and Britain. The British ambassador says there shouldn't be instant judgment on this. Basically the U.S. and U.K. know it is going to be at least two weeks before Washington wants some sort of vote here. So far they are talking tough, saying they are willing to risk a veto. Don't know if it will come to that. They need to rally support, especially among those nonpermanent members, in order to get nine votes without any vetoes -- Paula. ZAHN: Richard, according to "The Los Angeles Times" this morning, President Bush will be the point man in the final round of diplomacy and intimately involved, according to this piece, in the consultations with individual members of the Security Council. How persuasive might that be?
ROTH: Well, he is the president, and it's true that most of the discussions and negotiations, if you can call it that, may not take place here in the hallways, but it will be between capitals, as the State Department, and the White House and representatives, as they have been doing either around the globe or working the telephone. Some have criticized the White House for not being as strong in terms of globetrotting and sending people directly face to face.
But the president will be working the phones, as he has been, and he's going to be meeting with Bulgaria's prime minister today, and Bulgaria is already, though, in the U.S. camp. There may be more visits to come.
ZAHN: Richard Roth, thanks for the update. Appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Council Today>
Aired February 25, 2003 - 08:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: The new U.N. resolution introduced by the U.S., Britain and Spain will make its way around the Security Council today. The resolution, which finds Iraq -- quote -- "in further material breach" could clear the way for military action against Baghdad, and at the same time provide some political cover for members of the Security Council.
Let's turn to senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth, who joins us from the U.N. this morning.
Good morning, Richard.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.
Picking up on what you and Bill were saying, Security Council members could be going at it like cats and dogs here at the United Nations over the next few weeks. U.S. ambassador to the United States John Negroponte telling security members upon introducing a new resolution that Iraq has failed to take the final opportunity afforded it on disarmament.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN NEGROPONTE, U.S. AMB. TO U.N.: We've listened carefully to the many voices calling for more time. But 11 years, 10 months and 23 days is more than enough time for Saddam Hussein to prove that he has disarmed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: The French ambassador, though, completely different story. France, backed by Russia and Germany, floating their own proposal, a counterproposal, not a resolution. But basically, it gives the inspectors at least four more months to do their work.
The French ambassador there went on to say that there should be a new timeline for the inspectors, at least several more weeks and then two more months after Iraq is told what it has to do. All of this is totally unsatisfactory for the United States and Britain. The British ambassador says there shouldn't be instant judgment on this. Basically the U.S. and U.K. know it is going to be at least two weeks before Washington wants some sort of vote here. So far they are talking tough, saying they are willing to risk a veto. Don't know if it will come to that. They need to rally support, especially among those nonpermanent members, in order to get nine votes without any vetoes -- Paula. ZAHN: Richard, according to "The Los Angeles Times" this morning, President Bush will be the point man in the final round of diplomacy and intimately involved, according to this piece, in the consultations with individual members of the Security Council. How persuasive might that be?
ROTH: Well, he is the president, and it's true that most of the discussions and negotiations, if you can call it that, may not take place here in the hallways, but it will be between capitals, as the State Department, and the White House and representatives, as they have been doing either around the globe or working the telephone. Some have criticized the White House for not being as strong in terms of globetrotting and sending people directly face to face.
But the president will be working the phones, as he has been, and he's going to be meeting with Bulgaria's prime minister today, and Bulgaria is already, though, in the U.S. camp. There may be more visits to come.
ZAHN: Richard Roth, thanks for the update. Appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Council Today>
