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American Morning

Russian Veto Against New U.N. Resolution?

Aired February 28, 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: Now on to the issue of Russia. It now says it is prepared to use its veto power in the U.N. to strike down a resolution authorizing war against Iraq. And now, the Security Council appearing to be severely split is getting ready to hear another weapons report.
Let's turn to, literally this morning, Richard Roth, who joins us in our New York studios this morning.

So, you're tired of sleeping over at the U.N.?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Oh, no, I left my cot and survival kit there, and it's nice to be on the west side.

ZAHN: Tell us a little bit about -- first off, about Russia. There was an indication yesterday that it might abstain from a vote altogether.

ROTH: Well, it's...

ZAHN: Now they're saying veto.

ROTH: It's still early, because there is time, a lot of posturing. Russia saying they plan to veto, but I'm sure President Bush will be speaking with Russian leader Putin. And no vote is set yet, because the U.S. was calling for a vote March 10 through the 14. There's still a lot of time in lobbying.

And Russia may not want to be the only country vetoing. It might be emboldened if France and China were to back it up, but no country wants to be left standing alone when the music stops.

But Russia doesn't want a war, and Russian Ambassador Lavrov at the United Nations has made that clear; that Russia does not favor, what he says, is aggression toward Iraq, and it would be outside the U.N. charter.

ZAHN: I'm just curious. I know this is very fresh that in "USA Today," there is a quote by the president, the president telling a reporter that it certainly doesn't matter what the U.N. votes on the second resolution. It is clear that Saddam Hussein will not disarm, and if you have to disarm him militarily, then that's what you do.

ROTH: I mean, Iraq and opponents of the U.S. resolution at the U.N. say, what do we have to do? President Bush is saying that even if Iraq destroys the Al Samoud 2 missiles, it's still just the tip of the iceberg. But the U.S. says anthrax, VX, nerve agent, mustard gas shells, there is still a lot to be accounted for, and that's what they're still going to be hammering home. But it does appear that the U.S. is not going to accept anything but regime change or the removal of President Saddam Hussein.

ZAHN: Hans Blix reports to the Security Council today. Can you give us a preview of what might be in that report?

ROTH: Well, we have the draft report, a restricted copy here. And if the words that are indeed issued later today to the Security Council match up with this report, Hans Blix is going to say that the results in terms of disarmament over the last three months by Iraq have been very limited so far. And the report says, now that Iraq is starting to cooperate, why has it taken them so -- why has it taken so long?

He also says, though, if the inspections are to work, he's going to need more time. That's something Washington does not like to hear.

ZAHN: And we have another very important report a week from today.

ROTH: That's right, Hans Blix's oral report, and I'm sure by then he will include whatever happens this weekend with the Al Samoud missiles, whether Baghdad complies. Everyone on the council is hanging on every word, because those who are uncommitted will be able to jump on Hans Blix's report and say, he is -- or Iraq is or isn't cooperating. So, he's sometimes the compromise solution.

ZAHN: Richard Roth, great to see you in person for a change. Thanks for making that trip across Midtown Manhattan 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 28, 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: Now on to the issue of Russia. It now says it is prepared to use its veto power in the U.N. to strike down a resolution authorizing war against Iraq. And now, the Security Council appearing to be severely split is getting ready to hear another weapons report.
Let's turn to, literally this morning, Richard Roth, who joins us in our New York studios this morning.

So, you're tired of sleeping over at the U.N.?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Oh, no, I left my cot and survival kit there, and it's nice to be on the west side.

ZAHN: Tell us a little bit about -- first off, about Russia. There was an indication yesterday that it might abstain from a vote altogether.

ROTH: Well, it's...

ZAHN: Now they're saying veto.

ROTH: It's still early, because there is time, a lot of posturing. Russia saying they plan to veto, but I'm sure President Bush will be speaking with Russian leader Putin. And no vote is set yet, because the U.S. was calling for a vote March 10 through the 14. There's still a lot of time in lobbying.

And Russia may not want to be the only country vetoing. It might be emboldened if France and China were to back it up, but no country wants to be left standing alone when the music stops.

But Russia doesn't want a war, and Russian Ambassador Lavrov at the United Nations has made that clear; that Russia does not favor, what he says, is aggression toward Iraq, and it would be outside the U.N. charter.

ZAHN: I'm just curious. I know this is very fresh that in "USA Today," there is a quote by the president, the president telling a reporter that it certainly doesn't matter what the U.N. votes on the second resolution. It is clear that Saddam Hussein will not disarm, and if you have to disarm him militarily, then that's what you do.

ROTH: I mean, Iraq and opponents of the U.S. resolution at the U.N. say, what do we have to do? President Bush is saying that even if Iraq destroys the Al Samoud 2 missiles, it's still just the tip of the iceberg. But the U.S. says anthrax, VX, nerve agent, mustard gas shells, there is still a lot to be accounted for, and that's what they're still going to be hammering home. But it does appear that the U.S. is not going to accept anything but regime change or the removal of President Saddam Hussein.

ZAHN: Hans Blix reports to the Security Council today. Can you give us a preview of what might be in that report?

ROTH: Well, we have the draft report, a restricted copy here. And if the words that are indeed issued later today to the Security Council match up with this report, Hans Blix is going to say that the results in terms of disarmament over the last three months by Iraq have been very limited so far. And the report says, now that Iraq is starting to cooperate, why has it taken them so -- why has it taken so long?

He also says, though, if the inspections are to work, he's going to need more time. That's something Washington does not like to hear.

ZAHN: And we have another very important report a week from today.

ROTH: That's right, Hans Blix's oral report, and I'm sure by then he will include whatever happens this weekend with the Al Samoud missiles, whether Baghdad complies. Everyone on the council is hanging on every word, because those who are uncommitted will be able to jump on Hans Blix's report and say, he is -- or Iraq is or isn't cooperating. So, he's sometimes the compromise solution.

ZAHN: Richard Roth, great to see you in person for a change. Thanks for making that trip across Midtown Manhattan 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.