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CNN Saturday Morning News

Powell Weighs in on Invasion of Iraq

Aired August 31, 2002 - 07:23   ET

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

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: When it comes to the debate about a possible U.S. attack on Iraq, Secretary of State Colin Powell may not be singing from the same songbook as many in the Bush administration.
CNN's Andrea Koppel lays out Powell's position in the Iraq battle that is being fought behind closed doors.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Secretary of State Colin Powell opposes a U.S. invasion of Iraq without the support of key allies, that according to a confidant of Powell's within the Bush administration.

And within the president's cabinet, battle lines are being drawn. "Powell's voice will be persuasive," predicted the confidant. "The battle is not over."

But unlike other Bush advisers, Powell has not made his private views public. Instead, State Department officials offer vague insights into this heated debate.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: The secretary's been in close touch with the president, with his other colleagues in this administration as they continue to discuss these issue, and secretary certainly is working with them on how to proceed.

KOPPEL: Last week, retired general Anthony Zinni, the Bush team's Middle East envoy, implied Powell shared his opinion, which he laid out in his speech in Florida.

GEN. ANTHONY ZINNI (RET.), MIDDLE EAST ENVOY: Attacking Iraq now will cause a lot of problems. I think the debate right now that's going on is very healthy. If you ask me my opinion, General Scowcroft, General Powell, General Schwarzkopf, and General Zinni may be all seated the same way.

KOPPEL: The State Department denies that Zinni is a front man for Powell. Still, Powell's past record as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Gulf War speaks volumes, even if the man himself is lying low.

Back then, General Powell raised questions with President Bush's father over using the military to force Iraq out of Kuwait.

GEN. WESLEY CLARK (RET.), FORMER NATO COMMANDER: It is striking that most of us who have worn the uniform are very concerned about this, because we know the human costs and the uncertainties and risks that are involved in conflict. We know them firsthand. And that has to influence Secretary Powell in some degree.

KOPPEL (on camera): Those close to Powell point out his record as a good soldier. Even if he's overruled, they say, Powell will carry out whatever the president decides to the best of his ability.

But until then, one source said, there'll be a considerable amount of head-knocking behind the scenes.

Andrea Koppel, CNN, at the State Department.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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