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CNN Live Event/Special

Statement by Iraqi Ambassador to U.N.

Aired March 20, 2003 - 08:59   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.


PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to to break away to hear Mohamed Al-Douri, the Iraqi ambassador to the U.N.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

MOHAMED ALDOURI, U.N. AMB. TO IRAQ: ... President Bush that he started the war and they have to take into consideration that declaration -- official declaration of statement by United States that we are -- that the United States now in war with Iraq and allies also, not only United States, and allies also.

QUESTION: What exactly are you asking them to do?

DOURI: Well, right now, just to show them their responsibilities and conformity with the charter and international law. You know, this is a war of aggression. Iraq has been aggressed by United States and Britain and allies yesterday. So this is a break of peace. So this is mainly...

QUESTION: Is there any word on any casualties? Have you heard about anything?

DOURI: Well, yes. It seems that we have only one person killed and one injured. Yes, we have -- we do. This was more than 42 long- range missile. Part of them from Baghdad itself, and the other in the west side of the country. This is right now the situation.

QUESTION: How are you feeling today?

DOURI: Me? You know, I -- how you can imagine that. My family is there. My country is there. My people is there. And also, other human beings there is also. So this is the war, so we have to be worry about this war, about every and each individual. We don't need this war. There is no need for this war. Absolutely.

QUESTION: Are you taking any measures to protect your family?

DOURI: Where? There? How can I do? How can I do? No.

QUESTION: What are your orders? What are you -- you're talking to Baghdad. What are you to do?

DOURI: Well, I told you I am a diplomat so I have to behave in the United Nations and my work is in the United Nations, exclusively in the United Nations.

QUESTION: Ambassador Al Douri, if the government changes... DOURI: Well, this if -- we have to wait this. I cannot answer that. If I want to see the reality there is a war, we have to talk about this war and not any other things.

Thank you.

ZAHN: Ambassador Mohamed AlDouri, the Iraqi ambassador to the U.N., obviously make critical remarks of the Bush administration for engaging in the war.

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 March 20, 2003 - 08:59   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to to break away to hear Mohamed Al-Douri, the Iraqi ambassador to the U.N.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

MOHAMED ALDOURI, U.N. AMB. TO IRAQ: ... President Bush that he started the war and they have to take into consideration that declaration -- official declaration of statement by United States that we are -- that the United States now in war with Iraq and allies also, not only United States, and allies also.

QUESTION: What exactly are you asking them to do?

DOURI: Well, right now, just to show them their responsibilities and conformity with the charter and international law. You know, this is a war of aggression. Iraq has been aggressed by United States and Britain and allies yesterday. So this is a break of peace. So this is mainly...

QUESTION: Is there any word on any casualties? Have you heard about anything?

DOURI: Well, yes. It seems that we have only one person killed and one injured. Yes, we have -- we do. This was more than 42 long- range missile. Part of them from Baghdad itself, and the other in the west side of the country. This is right now the situation.

QUESTION: How are you feeling today?

DOURI: Me? You know, I -- how you can imagine that. My family is there. My country is there. My people is there. And also, other human beings there is also. So this is the war, so we have to be worry about this war, about every and each individual. We don't need this war. There is no need for this war. Absolutely.

QUESTION: Are you taking any measures to protect your family?

DOURI: Where? There? How can I do? How can I do? No.

QUESTION: What are your orders? What are you -- you're talking to Baghdad. What are you to do?

DOURI: Well, I told you I am a diplomat so I have to behave in the United Nations and my work is in the United Nations, exclusively in the United Nations.

QUESTION: Ambassador Al Douri, if the government changes... DOURI: Well, this if -- we have to wait this. I cannot answer that. If I want to see the reality there is a war, we have to talk about this war and not any other things.

Thank you.

ZAHN: Ambassador Mohamed AlDouri, the Iraqi ambassador to the U.N., obviously make critical remarks of the Bush administration for engaging in the war.

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