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American Morning
Germany, France, Russia Have Agreed to New U.N. Resolution
Aired October 16, 2003 - 07:33 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There's other news this morning that CNN has confirmed that Germany, France and Russia have agreed to a new U.N. resolution. This may increase the chance of more troops and more money to help with the rebuilding effort in Iraq.
To the White House and Suzanne Malveaux for both of these issues now -- Suzanne, good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Bill.
President Bush is in California. Last night he raised $1.75 million for his reelection bid. The big question is whether or not he's going to be as successful raising that $87 billion for post-war funding. That legislation is going to go before the House and the Senate today and tomorrow. And, of course, the big question is over this $20 billion for Iraqi reconstruction. The White House wants it all in grants, but there are many Democrats, and some Republicans now, that want it half grants, half loans.
Now, there's been some serious arm twisting by this administration. It was on Tuesday President Bush met with a bipartisan group, saying he would not debate the issue. It was just yesterday that Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as Secretary Powell, behind closed doors, again pushing Republicans on this matter.
It is far from certain that there's a victory, but Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist expressed some optimism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: I'm very hopeful. I'm not overly confident, but I think that people will listen to our leaders, civilian and military, and our commander-in- chief, and come around and support the grants not loans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And, Bill, on that U.N. Security Council resolution, of course, that would be great news for the Bush administration, with the support of France, Germany and Russia. It was just yesterday Secretary Powell said he was hopeful that they'd get that resolution passed. But, again, they were trying to win over some of those members, trying to get as large a margin as possible to send a message to the international community that, yes, they are all behind this multinational force inside of Iraq. It also opens the way for possible funding, international funding from countries next week at that conference in Madrid. But still far from certain whether or not they're going to get the kind of money that they're looking for -- Bill.
HEMMER: That donors conference is going to be critical, as you mentioned, coming next week in Spain. Gerhard Schroeder says they had a 45 minute conference call, essentially, coming to agreement on this.
Could a vote come today at the U.N., Suzanne, do you know?
MALVEAUX: Well, it could come as early as today. It was just yesterday that U.N. Ambassador Negroponte said that perhaps as early as 10 o'clock this morning that vote could come down. So we'll see. It's very good news for the Bush administration, the fact that you have some of those members now on board.
HEMMER: Thanks, Suzanne.
Suzanne Malveaux on the front lawn.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Resolution>
Aired October 16, 2003 - 07:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There's other news this morning that CNN has confirmed that Germany, France and Russia have agreed to a new U.N. resolution. This may increase the chance of more troops and more money to help with the rebuilding effort in Iraq.
To the White House and Suzanne Malveaux for both of these issues now -- Suzanne, good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Bill.
President Bush is in California. Last night he raised $1.75 million for his reelection bid. The big question is whether or not he's going to be as successful raising that $87 billion for post-war funding. That legislation is going to go before the House and the Senate today and tomorrow. And, of course, the big question is over this $20 billion for Iraqi reconstruction. The White House wants it all in grants, but there are many Democrats, and some Republicans now, that want it half grants, half loans.
Now, there's been some serious arm twisting by this administration. It was on Tuesday President Bush met with a bipartisan group, saying he would not debate the issue. It was just yesterday that Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as Secretary Powell, behind closed doors, again pushing Republicans on this matter.
It is far from certain that there's a victory, but Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist expressed some optimism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: I'm very hopeful. I'm not overly confident, but I think that people will listen to our leaders, civilian and military, and our commander-in- chief, and come around and support the grants not loans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And, Bill, on that U.N. Security Council resolution, of course, that would be great news for the Bush administration, with the support of France, Germany and Russia. It was just yesterday Secretary Powell said he was hopeful that they'd get that resolution passed. But, again, they were trying to win over some of those members, trying to get as large a margin as possible to send a message to the international community that, yes, they are all behind this multinational force inside of Iraq. It also opens the way for possible funding, international funding from countries next week at that conference in Madrid. But still far from certain whether or not they're going to get the kind of money that they're looking for -- Bill.
HEMMER: That donors conference is going to be critical, as you mentioned, coming next week in Spain. Gerhard Schroeder says they had a 45 minute conference call, essentially, coming to agreement on this.
Could a vote come today at the U.N., Suzanne, do you know?
MALVEAUX: Well, it could come as early as today. It was just yesterday that U.N. Ambassador Negroponte said that perhaps as early as 10 o'clock this morning that vote could come down. So we'll see. It's very good news for the Bush administration, the fact that you have some of those members now on board.
HEMMER: Thanks, Suzanne.
Suzanne Malveaux on the front lawn.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Resolution>
