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CNN Sunday Morning

Bush Steps Up Pressure on U.N.

Aired September 15, 2002 - 10:02   ET

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

CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Up first this hour -- President Bush steps up pressure on the U.N. saying that it must show some backbone in dealing with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
In the meantime, the U.S. gets a nod of support from Saudi's foreign minister on U.N.-backed action against Iraq.

Let's go right to CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux with the latest on that. Good morning, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning. President Bush is really gaining momentum in this area. His plea that Saddam Hussein be held accountable to renew United Nations resolutions gaining a lot of international support now.

It was just yesterday that the president met with Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, at Camp David. Berlusconi saying that while he did not support any type of unilateral action by the United States to take on Saddam Hussein, he did praise the president for going before the world body, the United Nations, asking for its support.

Now today administration officials are actually taking on the critics -- the naysayers. World leaders are saying, "We need more evidence that we have to deal with Saddam Hussein in an immediate way."

But officials -- White House officials this morning saying, "What more evidence do you need?"

They point to the fact that Saddam Hussein has violated 16 U.N. resolutions, that he has links with al Qaeda and that he is trying to obtain weapons of mass destruction.

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COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES: The fact of the matter is what has not changed is his intention -- his intention to continue moving in the direction of enhancing his ability to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction. And waiting for another year will not cause that intention to be any greater or less.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now in a sign that also Arab allies seem to be coming onboard -- it was just over the weekend that the Arab League voted unanimously saying that Iraq had to comply to allow weapons inspectors back into the country.

And, also, in an apparent about face, the Saudi foreign minister telling CNN yesterday that -- yes -- military forces would be allowed on Saudi soil to possibly attack Iraq. This, of course, only if it was approved by a U.N. Security Council resolution -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: Suzanne, certainly he is winning some support now internationally but what about back at home -- Congressional public support?

MALVEAUX: Well, it's very interesting -- he seems to be gaining ground in that area as well. There was a poll that just came out yesterday by "Newsweek" -- I want to give you one of those figures. And it shows that 67 percent of Americans support using military force against Iraq but at the same time about 57 percent still saying, "We want those European allies with us." A little bit of hesitation about going it alone.

But clearly it seems that the president seems to be making his case and then Americans -- some Americans at least -- are convinced.

CALLAWAY: All right -- thank you. Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thanks, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Thank you.

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