Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Sunday Morning

U.N. Expected to Address Issues Involving Mideast, Africa

Aired November 11, 2001 - 08:41   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.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: So far terrorism has been the focus at the United Nation's general assembly. Today that focus is likely to shift to conflicts in the Middle East and in Africa.

Senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth joins us from the meeting with the very latest.

Good morning, Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Jeanne.

Nearly 50 presidents and prime ministers and leading government officials, especially foreign ministers, coming here to the U.N. in a second wave on the second day of the annual general assembly debate that was postponed by the September 11 attacks.

On opening day a traditional feature: the luncheon, where the heads of state and government attend, hosted by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, now a Nobel Peace Prize winner. The U.S. president and the Pakistani leader were the featured guests here.

The delegations made terrorism topic No. 1, thought he Mideast nuclear issues and Africa, and issues such as poverty and aid will be on the agenda over the next several days. At that toast, Secretary- General Annan welcomed the guests. He said it's been a little lonely in the house for the past seven weeks waiting for everyone to arrive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: Today, as a result of the tragic events of 11th September, even more people have become vulnerable than before. Our mission to improve their lives, and the lives of peoples everywhere has become even more urgent than before. I believe we're equal to the mission. I believe we can build on our unity to work towards the millennium goals with greater and renewed vigor. Let us raise our glasses in a pledge for the sake of our common humanity, and to our common resolve.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: A little bit of the backstage diplomacy here at the United Nations. In his toast -- as traditional of the host government, the U.S. speaks -- President Bush, heavy praise for Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

A couple of other notes here. On terrorism, it's interesting to see that on September 24, 1996, Jeanne, President Clinton speaking before the general assembly, mentioning terrorism, said the U.S. will pursue a three-part strategy, saying the U.S. is working to, quote, "make the airports and airplanes that link us together even safer." Who knows where we're going to be five years from now on terrorism.

And of course, we mentioned the Middle East. Secretary of State Powell will meet with Chairman Arafat of the Palestinians. He still does not have his meeting with President Bush. The Mideast, some see as a possible flaw in the coalition against Afghanistan now.

Also, on nuclear issues, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty gets a going-over and a review here. However, that treaty has not yet gone into force. This would outlaw all nuclear weapons tests. And the United States, which wants everybody to come aboard the terrorism bandwagon, says we're not showing up at this review conference. The U.S. still wants to keep the option over -- open of testing nuclear weapons to make sure its existing arsenal works. That may not get that much publicity today. Without the terrorism issue, it certainly would.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan kicks open -- kicks off the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty debate so far. There are 45 nations that would have to ratify and sign this test ban treaty for it to go into force -- those that have nuclear power or nuclear weapons. India and Pakistan have not even signed or ratified -- Jeanne.

MESERVE: Richard Roth at the United Nations, thanks so much.

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