Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

Defense Department is Prepared to Use Nuclear Weapons

Aired March 09, 2002 - 09:03   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We'll return now to our top story. "The Los Angeles Times," citing a secret Pentagon report, says the Bush administration has directed the Defense Department to be prepared to use nuclear weapons against at least seven countries.

CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us now with a little bit more.

Hi, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Kyra.

You know, this is a difficult story to confirm, because we are talking about a classified report that was given to Congress earlier this year. So far, the Pentagon and the White House offering no comment.

But a couple of things to point out. If the report is true, analysts say it would be the first time that an official target list of countries coming to light.

As you mentioned, the report saying that at least seven countries that the Pentagon should prepare contingency plans to use nuclear arms against at least seven countries. Those countries include President Bush's three countries he calls part of an axis of evil, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea, but also Libya, Syria, China, and Russia.

Also other significant things, according to this report, again, that President Bush is calling on the Pentagon to develop contingency plans to use nuclear weapons to retaliate of basically attacked with chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. Also in the case of what is described as "surprising military developments."

Now, no surprise, Kyra, obviously you can have people on both sides of this issue speaking out. Already nuclear arms advocates are saying if the report is true, it is a very big concern, concern that it could have a destabilizing effect around the world, encouraging other countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

On the other side, you have conservatives who believe that the Pentagon should be prepared, prepared to use nuclear weapons if necessary at a time, really, when you have some countries and some terrorist organizations pursuing nuclear weapons. Kyra, we should say, publicly this administration has really said that using nuclear weapons is really not an option, a nonstarter, when it's been asked if it would consider using such weapons in this war against terrorism. The administration has really indicated it is trying to reduce its reliance on nuclear weapons. That really the public position.

Again, though, no comment coming from the White House. We might have a chance to get a question to President Bush a little bit later. He's going to be in the Rose Garden, Kyra, as you know, signing that economic stimulus plan into law. So we'll see if he wants to talk about this today -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, no doubt, I know you'll be asking him. Kelly, appreciate the wrap-up. It's a fascinating story. We'll continue to follow it and check in with you. Our Kelly Wallace live at the White House...

WALLACE: Sure.

PHILLIPS: ... 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