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CNN Saturday Morning News

Bush to Make First Appearance Before United Nations

Aired November 10, 2001 - 07:10   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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: On the diplomatic front, President Bush makes his first appearance before the United Nations in a couple of hours. He's expected to rally world leaders to stand up and be counted in the fight against terrorism.

CNN's senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth, joins us live from New York this morning. Good morning to you, Richard.

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

Quite a difference the terrorist attacks on the United States have meant here for the United States at the U.N. For the last few years, a lot of differences over the billion dollars in dues that the United States owed here, a lot of consternation on the hands of United Nations members. And there were a lot of differences, from the International Criminal Court to the environment, between Washington and European allies that no doubt President Bush would have faced when he would have made his first appearance here as president of the United States back in September.

However, that session was delayed about a month and a half by the terrorist attacks. Now the president will go before the General Assembly, culminating a week of speeches about the war effort. U.S. officials say the United States is looking for global solidarity here at the General Assembly of the United Nations against terrorism.

President Bush's secretary of state, Colin Powell, explained to CNN yesterday what the United States is looking for here at the U.N. meeting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I think President Bush will make his first appearance before the United Nations General Assembly, and he will thank them for what they have done. He will also take note of the fact, I think, that the United States is doing a great deal for the U.N. We have paid our arrears, and that's good news.

At the same time, he will, however, tell them that the job is not yet done. It isn't enough just to sign up initially for the coalition, but that we expect all coalition members to give more than just rhetorical support, to give real support.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: And there will be a lot of rhetoric here inside the General Assembly hall for this one-week meeting, and what the United States will want, more than the speeches, is help on financial, military, and intelligence matters.

Now, the United Nations, of course, received a threat last week from Osama bin Laden in a videotaped message to the world. The United Nations was accused of being part of a, quote, "crime against the people of Afghanistan" in the bombing campaign by the United States. Secretary General Kofi Annan was also included in this. That was really the first time the U.N. was threatened in this matter.

Of course, U.N. humanitarian aid workers are under the gun in their effort to try to aid the people of Afghanistan.

And Martin, in the hallways and the meeting halls here at the U.N., some key sessions to go on behind the scenes. The presidents of Iran and Pakistan will meet here. Of course President Bush will be meeting with President Musharraf of Pakistan. The two men have not really met since this war started, and the U.S. still leaning on Pakistan heavily for support in the military campaign against Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda network -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Richard, what do you think the reaction will be for the president when he arrives there and speaks to the U.N.?

ROTH: This should be interesting to see. I think it will be obviously quite favorable. I shouldn't say obviously, but it'll be favorable. And I'm just wondering whether there will -- I don't think there'll be a standing ovation. President Clinton two years ago, during the height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, received a standing ovation when he spoke. Mayor Giuliani, who gave perhaps the most passionate speech heard here since the terrorist attacks, got a hearty round of applause.

I think President Bush will be received enthusiastically. U.S. officials say at this point, there's no plan to name any nations when President Bush describes the fight against terrorism. Everyone will be happy if they're not named publicly inside the hall, no doubt.

SAVIDGE: Richard Roth, live this morning at the United Nations. We'll be back in touch with you as the president draws closer to his speech. Thank you very much.

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