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CNN Saturday Morning News
Powell Brought Vote Together
Aired November 09, 2002 - 09:01 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush says the U.N. resolution represents a final test for the Iraqi regime on its willingness to disarm. Mr. Bush says it's up to Baghdad to decide what comes next, and the clock is ticking.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The outcome of the current crisis is already determined. The full disarmament of weapons of mass destruction by Iraq will occur. The only question for the Iraqi regime is to decide how.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): September 12, President Bush addressing the United Nations, states that the U.N. must enforce past agreements made with Saddam Hussein, accounting for and destroying Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction.
For seven weeks world leaders debate. The holdouts, Russia, China, and France. President Bush and Secretary Colin Powell call world leaders. Discussions include talks on Iraq's broken promises and material breach.
Last weekend, a breakthrough. Twenty minutes before Powell walks his daughter down the aisle to be wed, he's informed that members agree to tougher inspections and broader Security Council authority.
November 7, Secretary Powell calls the foreign minister of France. The U.S. agrees to withdraw language of an automatic trigger authorizing military force. The United States will consult the Security Council if Saddam Hussein does not comply before any action is taken.
President Bush calls French President Jacques Chirac to seal the deal.
BUSH: I'm optimistic we'll get the resolution vote tomorrow.
MALVEAUX: But Russia is still not on board. The same day, President Bush makes another appeal to Russia's President Putin. Secretary Powell explains to the foreign minister of Russia about France's agreement.
November 8, 9:00 a.m., Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov calls to say that Russia now agrees. Syria requests more time to meet with other Arab leaders and threatens to abstain.
All five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council call Syria's foreign minister, arguing that the only way to peacefully disarm Iraq is to get unanimous backing from the U.N. Security Council.
Moments before the vote, Secretary Powell receives a cell phone call from the U.S. ambassador telling him Syria will now give the U.S. its support.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
So what about the U.S. policy of regime change, the ousting of Saddam Hussein? Senior administration officials insist it still stands, but the focus now is on disarmament and the next move from Iraq, Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Suzanne, thanks.
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 9, 2002 - 09:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush says the U.N. resolution represents a final test for the Iraqi regime on its willingness to disarm. Mr. Bush says it's up to Baghdad to decide what comes next, and the clock is ticking.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The outcome of the current crisis is already determined. The full disarmament of weapons of mass destruction by Iraq will occur. The only question for the Iraqi regime is to decide how.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): September 12, President Bush addressing the United Nations, states that the U.N. must enforce past agreements made with Saddam Hussein, accounting for and destroying Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction.
For seven weeks world leaders debate. The holdouts, Russia, China, and France. President Bush and Secretary Colin Powell call world leaders. Discussions include talks on Iraq's broken promises and material breach.
Last weekend, a breakthrough. Twenty minutes before Powell walks his daughter down the aisle to be wed, he's informed that members agree to tougher inspections and broader Security Council authority.
November 7, Secretary Powell calls the foreign minister of France. The U.S. agrees to withdraw language of an automatic trigger authorizing military force. The United States will consult the Security Council if Saddam Hussein does not comply before any action is taken.
President Bush calls French President Jacques Chirac to seal the deal.
BUSH: I'm optimistic we'll get the resolution vote tomorrow.
MALVEAUX: But Russia is still not on board. The same day, President Bush makes another appeal to Russia's President Putin. Secretary Powell explains to the foreign minister of Russia about France's agreement.
November 8, 9:00 a.m., Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov calls to say that Russia now agrees. Syria requests more time to meet with other Arab leaders and threatens to abstain.
All five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council call Syria's foreign minister, arguing that the only way to peacefully disarm Iraq is to get unanimous backing from the U.N. Security Council.
Moments before the vote, Secretary Powell receives a cell phone call from the U.S. ambassador telling him Syria will now give the U.S. its support.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
So what about the U.S. policy of regime change, the ousting of Saddam Hussein? Senior administration officials insist it still stands, but the focus now is on disarmament and the next move from Iraq, Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, Suzanne, thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
