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CNN Live Event/Special
Hans Blix Speaks at U.N.
Aired October 28, 2002 - 12:48 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 believe Hans Blix, the chief United Nations weapons inspector, is over at the U.N. He's speaking right now, following his briefing to the U.N. Security Council.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: ... then our authority will go down. We have also stressed, both of us, the importance of having agreement, broad unity in council. If that was the case of 1284, there was (UNINTELLIGIBLE) from 1999, that would not be a sufficiently broad agreement, then we would I don't want to go into detail in individual paragraphs, because here is one text on the table, and there are other texts in circulation, and things are still under possible change. So I don't think it would be proper for us to comment in detail.
MOHAMMED AL BARADEI, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY: But I would add to Dr. Blix that we have very good discussion with council members on what we need as we enter this new phase inspection, and I think both of us agree and told the council that we need unified council support behind us. We need explicit authority, good practical arrangement and information from all member states as how to go and where to go to have -- ensure that Iraq is completely disarmed.
QUESTION: ... new resolution with for a new charter (ph) with Iraq. But in the absence of a resolution, you cited before that you couldn't go and change a mandate, happens while you're there. Now if there is no resolution, there is no change of mandate. Is there any other reason why can't go to Iraq if there is no resolution?
BLIX; No, there is no obstacle to us, either of us, to start inspections in Iraq of a legal kind. However, in practical terms, I think it was almost conceivable that we will run our inspections while half of the council wants us to be there and another half the council does not want us to be there. And if there were not to be a resolution, there might be other consequences. So I think it was right, and we have not received any criticism that we have not gone in. But now our feelings are. that there will be resolution and that we look forward to that. We want to get there as soon as we can.
BLITZER: Hans Blix, he's the chief U.N. weapons inspector. He's joined by Mohammed Al Baradei. He's the executive director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, both saying they're both anxious to get back into Iraq. They want a new resolution that's going to authorize their return for inspections to Iraq. They also say they are optimistic there will be such a resolution that will be forthcoming very soon. We'll continue to monitor this situation up at the United Nations.
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 28, 2002 - 12:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: I believe Hans Blix, the chief United Nations weapons inspector, is over at the U.N. He's speaking right now, following his briefing to the U.N. Security Council.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: ... then our authority will go down. We have also stressed, both of us, the importance of having agreement, broad unity in council. If that was the case of 1284, there was (UNINTELLIGIBLE) from 1999, that would not be a sufficiently broad agreement, then we would I don't want to go into detail in individual paragraphs, because here is one text on the table, and there are other texts in circulation, and things are still under possible change. So I don't think it would be proper for us to comment in detail.
MOHAMMED AL BARADEI, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY: But I would add to Dr. Blix that we have very good discussion with council members on what we need as we enter this new phase inspection, and I think both of us agree and told the council that we need unified council support behind us. We need explicit authority, good practical arrangement and information from all member states as how to go and where to go to have -- ensure that Iraq is completely disarmed.
QUESTION: ... new resolution with for a new charter (ph) with Iraq. But in the absence of a resolution, you cited before that you couldn't go and change a mandate, happens while you're there. Now if there is no resolution, there is no change of mandate. Is there any other reason why can't go to Iraq if there is no resolution?
BLIX; No, there is no obstacle to us, either of us, to start inspections in Iraq of a legal kind. However, in practical terms, I think it was almost conceivable that we will run our inspections while half of the council wants us to be there and another half the council does not want us to be there. And if there were not to be a resolution, there might be other consequences. So I think it was right, and we have not received any criticism that we have not gone in. But now our feelings are. that there will be resolution and that we look forward to that. We want to get there as soon as we can.
BLITZER: Hans Blix, he's the chief U.N. weapons inspector. He's joined by Mohammed Al Baradei. He's the executive director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, both saying they're both anxious to get back into Iraq. They want a new resolution that's going to authorize their return for inspections to Iraq. They also say they are optimistic there will be such a resolution that will be forthcoming very soon. We'll continue to monitor this situation up at the United Nations.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
