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American Morning

Discussion with Richard Spertzel

Aired March 06, 2003 - 09:17   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: At the U.N. Security Council, members that oppose the U.S. stance on Iraq say more time is needed for weapons inspections. But the Bush administration contends that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has not made any strategic or political decision to disarm.
Joining us now from Washington is former weapons inspector, Richard Spertzel.

Welcome back. Good to see you, sir.

RICHARD SPERTZEL, FMR. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: Thank you very much, Paula.

ZAHN: I know you have some friends that are currently serving on this team. What do they tell you about the integrity of inspections?

SPERTZEL: Many of my colleagues, including some of those that are currently with the new inspection regime have cited that, you know, it's basically busywork; they're not getting to the significant areas. We worry very much about the Al Samoud II missiles, that has an extra 13-miles capability, but we tend to forget there's a big issue with SCUD missiles and special chemical warheads that might be loaded with biological or chemical weapons.

ZAHN: So are your inspector colleagues telling you it would be a waste of time to extend the inspection process?

SPERTZEL: Well, in my opinion, that's the case, and I know that some of them share that opinion. Because the inspection regime could continue for another 20 years, and you won't have Saddam disarm. There has been no change in attitude. That's reflected at all levels of the Iraqi government. One scientist said I saw an interview recently, insisted that she never lied, and that's incredible, because that's been proven over and over again.

ZAHN: Secretary Powell came out yesterday suggesting new intelligence shows just as quickly as the Iraqis are destroying the Al Samoud II missiles, they are rebuilding them in another part of the country. Is it your belief that not even forcible disarmament would work?

SPERTZEL: Forcible disarmament, I'm not sure what you mean by force. Certainly any pressure that the Security Council can bring upon Iraq, which sort of constitutes slapping their wrists lightly, will have no affect on that regime, it's quite apparent. I had high hopes in November, and I was looking for a change in attitude of the regime. It's not there. We're not hearing it.

ZAHN: So what you're basically telling us this morning, sir, is war is the only way to stop this man from building weapons, or getting rid of the ones he has?

SPERTZEL: Absolutely. It appears at this stage that war is the only language that he will understand. Otherwise, he's looking for the continued support from his allies on the Security Council that will effectively prevent UNSCOM from disarming him, and now has all the earmarks of not being particularly helpful to UNMOVIC.

ZAHN: I know you've made it quite clear this is a conclusion you've reluctantly reached. We thank you for joining us with your insights this morning. Richard Spertzel, always good to see you.

SPERTZEL: Thank you very much, Paula.

ZAHN: Thank you.

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 March 6, 2003 - 09:17   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: At the U.N. Security Council, members that oppose the U.S. stance on Iraq say more time is needed for weapons inspections. But the Bush administration contends that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has not made any strategic or political decision to disarm.
Joining us now from Washington is former weapons inspector, Richard Spertzel.

Welcome back. Good to see you, sir.

RICHARD SPERTZEL, FMR. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: Thank you very much, Paula.

ZAHN: I know you have some friends that are currently serving on this team. What do they tell you about the integrity of inspections?

SPERTZEL: Many of my colleagues, including some of those that are currently with the new inspection regime have cited that, you know, it's basically busywork; they're not getting to the significant areas. We worry very much about the Al Samoud II missiles, that has an extra 13-miles capability, but we tend to forget there's a big issue with SCUD missiles and special chemical warheads that might be loaded with biological or chemical weapons.

ZAHN: So are your inspector colleagues telling you it would be a waste of time to extend the inspection process?

SPERTZEL: Well, in my opinion, that's the case, and I know that some of them share that opinion. Because the inspection regime could continue for another 20 years, and you won't have Saddam disarm. There has been no change in attitude. That's reflected at all levels of the Iraqi government. One scientist said I saw an interview recently, insisted that she never lied, and that's incredible, because that's been proven over and over again.

ZAHN: Secretary Powell came out yesterday suggesting new intelligence shows just as quickly as the Iraqis are destroying the Al Samoud II missiles, they are rebuilding them in another part of the country. Is it your belief that not even forcible disarmament would work?

SPERTZEL: Forcible disarmament, I'm not sure what you mean by force. Certainly any pressure that the Security Council can bring upon Iraq, which sort of constitutes slapping their wrists lightly, will have no affect on that regime, it's quite apparent. I had high hopes in November, and I was looking for a change in attitude of the regime. It's not there. We're not hearing it.

ZAHN: So what you're basically telling us this morning, sir, is war is the only way to stop this man from building weapons, or getting rid of the ones he has?

SPERTZEL: Absolutely. It appears at this stage that war is the only language that he will understand. Otherwise, he's looking for the continued support from his allies on the Security Council that will effectively prevent UNSCOM from disarming him, and now has all the earmarks of not being particularly helpful to UNMOVIC.

ZAHN: I know you've made it quite clear this is a conclusion you've reluctantly reached. We thank you for joining us with your insights this morning. Richard Spertzel, always good to see you.

SPERTZEL: Thank you very much, Paula.

ZAHN: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com