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CNN Live Event/Special
Iraqi Ambassador Speaks Before Security Council
Aired February 19, 2003 - 13:24 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Quickly now to the U.N., where the Iraqi ambassador is addressing the panel. Let's listen in.
MOHAMMED ALDOURI, IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO U.N. (through translator): ... real problems in our relations with the inspectors. However, there are outstanding issues regarding disarmament, and what is wanted from Iraq is not to hand over WMDs. Iraq is to hand over documents and evidence that it is free of weapons of mass destruction.
This is, Mr. President, what Iraq is doing. We are confident that no one will find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq because there are none.
However, some wish to exploit these disarmament issues, and those who have stood side by side with the United States, supporting its position of taking the route of military force, I call upon them to consider the reports of the United Nations to ascertain, What are these outstanding issues? They do not relate to WMDs. They relate to evidence and documents, and this is what Iraq is working to provide. We are doing our utmost.
And, therefore, Iraq has allowed all that you have heard from the overwhelming majority of speakers of the international community. Iraq has opened all doors. It has allowed all it can allow, and the inspectors merely have to do their work in a targeted and objective manner, away from the pressures that are being put to bear upon them, either through the media or directly by the United States and the United Kingdom.
I thank you, Mr. President.
GUNTER PLEUGER, PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL: I thank the representative of Iraq. I have no more speakers on my list. We have thus concluded the deliberations on the item on our agenda...
PHILLIPS: The meetings continue there at the United Nations. You were just hearing from, probably, one of the most important voices right now in the Arab world, when it comes to these discussions at the U.N., Mohammed Aldouri, the Iraqi ambassador to the U.N. Once again, giving the Iraqi voice on the continued weapons inspections, and the possible invasion, U.S. invasion on Iraq.
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 February 19, 2003 - 13:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Quickly now to the U.N., where the Iraqi ambassador is addressing the panel. Let's listen in.
MOHAMMED ALDOURI, IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO U.N. (through translator): ... real problems in our relations with the inspectors. However, there are outstanding issues regarding disarmament, and what is wanted from Iraq is not to hand over WMDs. Iraq is to hand over documents and evidence that it is free of weapons of mass destruction.
This is, Mr. President, what Iraq is doing. We are confident that no one will find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq because there are none.
However, some wish to exploit these disarmament issues, and those who have stood side by side with the United States, supporting its position of taking the route of military force, I call upon them to consider the reports of the United Nations to ascertain, What are these outstanding issues? They do not relate to WMDs. They relate to evidence and documents, and this is what Iraq is working to provide. We are doing our utmost.
And, therefore, Iraq has allowed all that you have heard from the overwhelming majority of speakers of the international community. Iraq has opened all doors. It has allowed all it can allow, and the inspectors merely have to do their work in a targeted and objective manner, away from the pressures that are being put to bear upon them, either through the media or directly by the United States and the United Kingdom.
I thank you, Mr. President.
GUNTER PLEUGER, PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL: I thank the representative of Iraq. I have no more speakers on my list. We have thus concluded the deliberations on the item on our agenda...
PHILLIPS: The meetings continue there at the United Nations. You were just hearing from, probably, one of the most important voices right now in the Arab world, when it comes to these discussions at the U.N., Mohammed Aldouri, the Iraqi ambassador to the U.N. Once again, giving the Iraqi voice on the continued weapons inspections, and the possible invasion, U.S. invasion on Iraq.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
