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American Morning
U.S. Seeks International Support in Iraq
Aired September 03, 2003 - 09:02 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: One of our top stories again today, Iraq, the U.N. and White House now pushing for greater international involvement in that country.
The White House appears ready to make some concessions for the U.N. As early as today the Bush administration expected to circulate a proposed Security Council resolution strengthening the U.N.'s role.
Two reports right now. Live from the White House, Kathleen Koch is standing by, and Barbara Starr is with us at the Pentagon.
Let's start on the front lawn with Kathleen. Good morning.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
It's just an idea now, but making it a reality will not be easy, because several countries, France specifically, have refused in the past to endorse any U.N. measure that in any way -- to support any U.N. measure that endorses U.S. intervention in Iraq. So it's going to be very tough.
But it's become apparent to the Bush administration that if it wants more international support, both military and monetary, that it has got to get the U.N.'s blessing, the U.N.'s authorization, if it, again, wants to get more countries to join in.
The leader of the Netherlands, one country that has supported the U.S. action from the start, that has troops on the ground, was here at the White House this morning, meeting with President Bush, and they discussed the proposed U.N. resolution.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAN PIETER BALKENENDE, NETHERLANDS PRIME MINISTER: It's important that more countries are being involved in Iraq, as far as military support is concerned.
The second element is we have to work on democracy and a new structure of policymaking in Iraq. We have to work on that. And the third element is that the Iraq population must benefit from its development of the country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: Of course, the measure would not only give the U.N. a greater role in the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq but it would set up this U.N.-authorized multi-national force that would still be under U.S. command and control.
The U.S. is expected to float this measure, perhaps as soon as today, with an eye toward building some support behind the scenes before it goes to a full vote before the Security Council.
Back to you.
HEMMER: Now, the impact on the U.S. military, Kathleen, to Barbara Starr for that. How would the U.S. role change if this were to pan out the way some are predicting?
BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Bill, here at the Pentagon they don't really want the role to change too much. They do want more international forces. They do believe that's essential.
You'll remember, in the run-up to the war, we heard a lot of talk from administration officials about, quote, "going it alone." Well, you don't hear that anymore. The U.S., the military, the Bush administration, the Pentagon all understand that it is now essential for them to get greater participation by the international community, both military participation and, as Kathleen said, financial.
But, and there is one very big "but." Don Rumsfeld, the secretary of defense, is adamant that he wants to ensure that the U.S. military remains in command of this operation. Even if there is a U.N. operation, the U.S. military is the one that will retain command and control over it, according to the Pentagon.
Now, there was today earlier in Iraq near the ancient city of Babylon, a ceremony that showed just how important it is for the U.S. to get more international participation in the coalition.
Of course, the U.S. now turning over military authority, military control, in south central Iraq to a multi-national division led by the Polish military.
That ceremony deemed very important today, but that, too, marred by the recent violence in Iraq, while the multi-national division will take over in south central Iraq from the Marines. The Marines will retain control of that crucial city of Najaf for the moment, until the security situation there calms down a bit.
So the Pentagon hopes that the plan for more international troops will work, but they just don't want to give up their essential control -- Bill.
HEMMER: Barbara Starr, thanks for that at the Pentagon.
Kathleen Koch, before, at the White House.
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 September 3, 2003 - 09:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: One of our top stories again today, Iraq, the U.N. and White House now pushing for greater international involvement in that country.
The White House appears ready to make some concessions for the U.N. As early as today the Bush administration expected to circulate a proposed Security Council resolution strengthening the U.N.'s role.
Two reports right now. Live from the White House, Kathleen Koch is standing by, and Barbara Starr is with us at the Pentagon.
Let's start on the front lawn with Kathleen. Good morning.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
It's just an idea now, but making it a reality will not be easy, because several countries, France specifically, have refused in the past to endorse any U.N. measure that in any way -- to support any U.N. measure that endorses U.S. intervention in Iraq. So it's going to be very tough.
But it's become apparent to the Bush administration that if it wants more international support, both military and monetary, that it has got to get the U.N.'s blessing, the U.N.'s authorization, if it, again, wants to get more countries to join in.
The leader of the Netherlands, one country that has supported the U.S. action from the start, that has troops on the ground, was here at the White House this morning, meeting with President Bush, and they discussed the proposed U.N. resolution.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAN PIETER BALKENENDE, NETHERLANDS PRIME MINISTER: It's important that more countries are being involved in Iraq, as far as military support is concerned.
The second element is we have to work on democracy and a new structure of policymaking in Iraq. We have to work on that. And the third element is that the Iraq population must benefit from its development of the country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: Of course, the measure would not only give the U.N. a greater role in the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq but it would set up this U.N.-authorized multi-national force that would still be under U.S. command and control.
The U.S. is expected to float this measure, perhaps as soon as today, with an eye toward building some support behind the scenes before it goes to a full vote before the Security Council.
Back to you.
HEMMER: Now, the impact on the U.S. military, Kathleen, to Barbara Starr for that. How would the U.S. role change if this were to pan out the way some are predicting?
BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Bill, here at the Pentagon they don't really want the role to change too much. They do want more international forces. They do believe that's essential.
You'll remember, in the run-up to the war, we heard a lot of talk from administration officials about, quote, "going it alone." Well, you don't hear that anymore. The U.S., the military, the Bush administration, the Pentagon all understand that it is now essential for them to get greater participation by the international community, both military participation and, as Kathleen said, financial.
But, and there is one very big "but." Don Rumsfeld, the secretary of defense, is adamant that he wants to ensure that the U.S. military remains in command of this operation. Even if there is a U.N. operation, the U.S. military is the one that will retain command and control over it, according to the Pentagon.
Now, there was today earlier in Iraq near the ancient city of Babylon, a ceremony that showed just how important it is for the U.S. to get more international participation in the coalition.
Of course, the U.S. now turning over military authority, military control, in south central Iraq to a multi-national division led by the Polish military.
That ceremony deemed very important today, but that, too, marred by the recent violence in Iraq, while the multi-national division will take over in south central Iraq from the Marines. The Marines will retain control of that crucial city of Najaf for the moment, until the security situation there calms down a bit.
So the Pentagon hopes that the plan for more international troops will work, but they just don't want to give up their essential control -- Bill.
HEMMER: Barbara Starr, thanks for that at the Pentagon.
Kathleen Koch, before, at the White House.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
