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CNN Live Event/Special

Senate Lieberman Speaks on Senate Floor

Aired October 02, 2002 - 12:17   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.


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: I want to go to the Senate floor right now. The Democratic Senator from Connecticut, Joe Lieberman, is speaking right now in support of the president's draft resolution on Iraq.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: .. or the Untied Nations is not willing to take action to enforce its orders. In my opinion, Madame president, this is the last chance for Saddam Hussein, but also the best chance for the international community to come together to prove that resolutions of the United Nations mean more and have more weight than the paper that they are written on.

It is also the hour for members of Congress to draw together across party lines to support the national security of the United States. A debate will follow in the days ahead. It is an important debate. It should not be rushed. It should be reflective. But ultimately, I am confident that the resolution that Senators Warner, McCain and I are introducing today will enjoy the broad bipartisan support that our national security demands at this time.

I thank the chair, and I yield the floor.

BLITZER: Senator Joe Lieberman speaking now. Senator John Warner of Virginia following the Democratic senator from Connecticut. Joe Lieberman, a critic of Saddam Hussein, a hawk when it comes to dealing with the Iraqis, speaking out forcefully in support of a strongly worded resolution that would authorize the president to go ahead and use force if necessary, if the Iraqis don't comply with international weapons inspections.

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 October 2, 2002 - 12:17   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: I want to go to the Senate floor right now. The Democratic Senator from Connecticut, Joe Lieberman, is speaking right now in support of the president's draft resolution on Iraq.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: .. or the Untied Nations is not willing to take action to enforce its orders. In my opinion, Madame president, this is the last chance for Saddam Hussein, but also the best chance for the international community to come together to prove that resolutions of the United Nations mean more and have more weight than the paper that they are written on.

It is also the hour for members of Congress to draw together across party lines to support the national security of the United States. A debate will follow in the days ahead. It is an important debate. It should not be rushed. It should be reflective. But ultimately, I am confident that the resolution that Senators Warner, McCain and I are introducing today will enjoy the broad bipartisan support that our national security demands at this time.

I thank the chair, and I yield the floor.

BLITZER: Senator Joe Lieberman speaking now. Senator John Warner of Virginia following the Democratic senator from Connecticut. Joe Lieberman, a critic of Saddam Hussein, a hawk when it comes to dealing with the Iraqis, speaking out forcefully in support of a strongly worded resolution that would authorize the president to go ahead and use force if necessary, if the Iraqis don't comply with international weapons inspections.

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