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American Morning
Post-War Iraq
Aired September 26, 2003 - 07:18 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: David Letterman scores. Secretary of State Colin Powell was on his show last night, and he said the United States is anxious to get an Iraqi constitution written. In fact, he predicted it could be ratified within six months.
Up until now, the administration has refused to rush the transition to Iraqi rule, and that has hurt efforts to win international support.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us live from D.C. with the latest.
So, Suzanne, is this a concrete timetable for an Iraqi constitution?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's actually one step ahead. The administration is that much closer to getting a U.N. Security Council resolution that could open the way for international troops and money, and that is definitely a good sign. Secretary Powell announcing that, yes, they want the Iraqi Governing Council to come up with a constitution within six months, follow that by elections and let that process unfold.
It really is a nod, though, to the French, to the Germans and the Russians, who want a vital role for the United Nations involved in the process, and they also want to turn over power to the Iraqi people as quickly as possible -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Suzanne, we know that Vladimir Putin will visit President Bush. What can we expect from his visit?
MALVEAUX: Well, of course, as you know, top on the agenda is going to be Iraq. Russia is one of the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. It will be interesting to see what they think of the latest development with this deadline. They'll probably be rather pleased with it.
Another thing that is really important, however, is this whole issue over Iran. Russia has a deal, an $800 million deal, to supply technology to Iran to help with a nuclear power plant. But this something the Bush administration says really helps contribute to building nuclear weapons inside of Iran.
Now, all of this happens, as the International Atomic Energy Agency slapped an October 31 deadline in Iran to come clean. President Bush saying that they must comply, and they want Russia to stop aiding and providing that technology. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It is very important for the world to come together to make it very clear to Iran that there will be universal condemnation if they continue with a nuclear weapons program. And I will tell you the response was very positive. People understand the danger of the Iranians having a nuclear weapons program, and you bet I'll talk to President Putin about it this weekend.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So, Carol, there's going to be quite a bit of pressure put on Iran, but also on President Putin as well.
Another thing that theyre going to be talking about is the Middle East. As you know, Russia is a member of the so-called Quartet trying to get that road map jump started. As you know, it's a situation that is very difficult as well. A lot on their plates in the next two days -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Very difficult is an understatement. Suzanne Malveaux reporting live from Washington, D.C. 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 September 26, 2003 - 07:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: David Letterman scores. Secretary of State Colin Powell was on his show last night, and he said the United States is anxious to get an Iraqi constitution written. In fact, he predicted it could be ratified within six months.
Up until now, the administration has refused to rush the transition to Iraqi rule, and that has hurt efforts to win international support.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us live from D.C. with the latest.
So, Suzanne, is this a concrete timetable for an Iraqi constitution?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's actually one step ahead. The administration is that much closer to getting a U.N. Security Council resolution that could open the way for international troops and money, and that is definitely a good sign. Secretary Powell announcing that, yes, they want the Iraqi Governing Council to come up with a constitution within six months, follow that by elections and let that process unfold.
It really is a nod, though, to the French, to the Germans and the Russians, who want a vital role for the United Nations involved in the process, and they also want to turn over power to the Iraqi people as quickly as possible -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Suzanne, we know that Vladimir Putin will visit President Bush. What can we expect from his visit?
MALVEAUX: Well, of course, as you know, top on the agenda is going to be Iraq. Russia is one of the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. It will be interesting to see what they think of the latest development with this deadline. They'll probably be rather pleased with it.
Another thing that is really important, however, is this whole issue over Iran. Russia has a deal, an $800 million deal, to supply technology to Iran to help with a nuclear power plant. But this something the Bush administration says really helps contribute to building nuclear weapons inside of Iran.
Now, all of this happens, as the International Atomic Energy Agency slapped an October 31 deadline in Iran to come clean. President Bush saying that they must comply, and they want Russia to stop aiding and providing that technology. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It is very important for the world to come together to make it very clear to Iran that there will be universal condemnation if they continue with a nuclear weapons program. And I will tell you the response was very positive. People understand the danger of the Iranians having a nuclear weapons program, and you bet I'll talk to President Putin about it this weekend.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So, Carol, there's going to be quite a bit of pressure put on Iran, but also on President Putin as well.
Another thing that theyre going to be talking about is the Middle East. As you know, Russia is a member of the so-called Quartet trying to get that road map jump started. As you know, it's a situation that is very difficult as well. A lot on their plates in the next two days -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Very difficult is an understatement. Suzanne Malveaux reporting live from Washington, D.C. 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.
