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CNN Sunday Morning
U.S. Close to Finalizing Plans for Invading Iraq
Aired November 10, 2002 - 10:01 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.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: To Iraq now, and the effort to get Saddam Hussein to disarm. If arms inspection efforts fail, we're told the U.S. is close to finalizing plans for invading Iraq. The Pentagon sources tell us the specifics have not been formally approved by President Bush. Today, in Baghdad, President Saddam Hussein called an emergency meeting of the national assembly. Iraqi TV reports the parliament plans to discuss and study the security council resolution and to refer their conclusion to the Revolutionary Command Council.
With that in mind, CNN national correspondent Frank Buckley joins us live now from the White House. Good morning, Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi. War plans are being refined right now for Iraq, but if military action is called for, it likely wouldn't come until sometime after the first of the year. That, in part, because of the buildup required. The war plans call for some 200,000 to 250,000 U.S. troops -- soldiers, airmen, sailors -- to be in the theater of operations. Right now there are only 27,000 U.S. military personnel in the area. It would also call for a call-up of 265,000 National Guard and reserve soldiers.
President Bush continues to say that he still prefers piece, but says now is the time for Iraq to disclose and destroy any weapons of mass destruction or any parts of its nuclear program. Today, Secretary of State Colin Powell is on "LATE EDITION" with Wolf Blitzer. He just taped an interview with Wolf just a few moments ago. He talked about the form that that military action might take.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I can assure you if he doesn't comply this time, we are going to ask the U.N. to give authorization for all necessary means. And if the U.N. isn't willing to do that, the United States, with like-minded nations, will go and disarm him forcefully. And the president has made this clear.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: Now, the Security Council resolution that was passed 15-0 on Friday puts a timeline in place by this Friday. The Iraqis are to respond as to whether or not they intend to cooperate. By November 18, the -- Hans Blix, the chief U.N. weapons inspector, expects to be on the ground with some of his personnel to begin preparations. Within 30 days of Friday, the Iraqis are supposed to disclose any weapons of mass destruction. And then by December 23, a full inspection team should be on the ground conducting inspections -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Frank Buckley live from the White House, thanks for the update.
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 November 10, 2002 - 10:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: To Iraq now, and the effort to get Saddam Hussein to disarm. If arms inspection efforts fail, we're told the U.S. is close to finalizing plans for invading Iraq. The Pentagon sources tell us the specifics have not been formally approved by President Bush. Today, in Baghdad, President Saddam Hussein called an emergency meeting of the national assembly. Iraqi TV reports the parliament plans to discuss and study the security council resolution and to refer their conclusion to the Revolutionary Command Council.
With that in mind, CNN national correspondent Frank Buckley joins us live now from the White House. Good morning, Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi. War plans are being refined right now for Iraq, but if military action is called for, it likely wouldn't come until sometime after the first of the year. That, in part, because of the buildup required. The war plans call for some 200,000 to 250,000 U.S. troops -- soldiers, airmen, sailors -- to be in the theater of operations. Right now there are only 27,000 U.S. military personnel in the area. It would also call for a call-up of 265,000 National Guard and reserve soldiers.
President Bush continues to say that he still prefers piece, but says now is the time for Iraq to disclose and destroy any weapons of mass destruction or any parts of its nuclear program. Today, Secretary of State Colin Powell is on "LATE EDITION" with Wolf Blitzer. He just taped an interview with Wolf just a few moments ago. He talked about the form that that military action might take.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I can assure you if he doesn't comply this time, we are going to ask the U.N. to give authorization for all necessary means. And if the U.N. isn't willing to do that, the United States, with like-minded nations, will go and disarm him forcefully. And the president has made this clear.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: Now, the Security Council resolution that was passed 15-0 on Friday puts a timeline in place by this Friday. The Iraqis are to respond as to whether or not they intend to cooperate. By November 18, the -- Hans Blix, the chief U.N. weapons inspector, expects to be on the ground with some of his personnel to begin preparations. Within 30 days of Friday, the Iraqis are supposed to disclose any weapons of mass destruction. And then by December 23, a full inspection team should be on the ground conducting inspections -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Frank Buckley live from the White House, thanks for the update.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
