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CNN Sunday Morning

Bush Returns to White House

Aired September 01, 2002 - 09:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is returning to the White House today after a month-long vacation at his Texas ranch. Meanwhile, former Senator Bob Dole is weighing in on the debate over whether or not to attack Iraq. CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us now live from Washington. Good morning, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Renay. President Bush actually comes back to Washington after a 27-day working vacation. He was quite busy on that vacation. He actually raised close to $9 million for Republican candidates. He traveled throughout the country, giving 16 speeches.

But, of course, he is going to have a full plate when he comes back to Washington, pushing Congress on a number of domestic issues, including legislation on homeland security, the Pentagon budget, as well as terrorism insurance. But make no mistake, also the White House engaged in a full-court press making the case for military action in Iraq.

This is a White House that's divided. CNN reporting earlier that Secretary of State Colin Powell says that a broad international coalition should be built before any type of action should be taken. Powell apparently going even further, saying Saddam Hussein should have another chance to allow U.N. weapons inspectors back into the country. This being played out on a BBC interview with Secretary Powell. Some excerpts obtained by Reuters, and I'm quoting here.

Powell says: "The president has been clear that he believes weapons inspectors should return. Iraq has been in violation of these many U.N. resolutions for most of the last or so years. So as a first step, let's see what the inspectors find. Send them back in."

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RICHARD CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In the past decade, however, Saddam has systemically broken all of these agreements. His regime is busy enhancing its capabilities in the field of chemical and biological agents, and they continue to pursue an aggressive nuclear weapons program.

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MALVEAUX: So the point on U.N. weapons inspectors being played out between Secretary of State Colin Powell and Vice President Dick Cheney. Also the latest voice in this debate, former Senator Bob Dole. In an op-ed piece this morning in "The Washington Post," bolstering the White House's argument that, yes, military action is necessary in Iraq, but the president should be cautious about this, that he should obtain congressional approval -- not consultations, but approval -- before taking any actions.

And I'm quoting here from that op-ed piece. He says: "Iraq is like a runaway freight train loaded with explosives, barreling toward us. We can act to derail it or wait for the crash and deal with the resulting damage. Consultations with Congress are essential, but not adequate when armed conflict is the issue."

This debate being played out on the morning talk shows as well -- Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: Well, we'll wait and see what they have to say on that. Suzanne Malveaux reporting, thank you very much.

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