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CNN Live Sunday
Iraq Increases Pressure on U.N. to Interview Iraqi Scientists
Aired December 22, 2002 - 18:09 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 LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The White House is increasing pressure for the U.N. to interview Iraqi scientists about weapons programs, secret weapons programs, this as the administration continues trying to build a case that President Saddam Hussein is not coming clean about weapons of mass destruction. CNN White House correspondent Dana Bash says it's part of a new phase in the battle to disarm Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): U.N. weapons inspectors visited seven sites in Iraq Sunday hunting for weapons of mass destruction. More inspectors should hit the ground in Iraq over the next few weeks as the U.S. embarks on what administration officials call a new phase of its effort to disarm Saddam Hussein.
After dismissing Iraq's declaration as incomplete, the U.S. is now complying with calls from Chief U.N. Weapons Inspector Hans Blix to share intelligence information starting with spy satellite photos that can aid his team's search for elicit weapons. U.S. officials say they will eventually release more sensitive data as soon as they're sure it won't end up in enemy hands.
JAMES WOOLSEY, FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: A lot of disclosure of intelligence can disclose sources and methods and there's nothing the Iraqis would like better.
BASH: The U.S. is also stepping up pressure on inspectors to find and interview Iraqi scientists who are willing to reveal secrets about Saddam Hussein's weapons programs. One question is whether the U.S. is going to grant those scientists and their sometimes large families' asylum in exchange for information.
SEN. RICHARD LUGAR (R), INDIANA: I think those accommodations will be made during the next coming days but it will be laborious attempting to get all the people, their families, get asylum for them, all of the aspects of international law complied with. It's important, however.
BASH: While the White House says the president has made no decision to go to war, some key Republican lawmakers say Mr. Bush must begin preparing the country for the possibility.
HAGEL: I think the president, if he makes the decision to go to war with our allies, is going to have to present a very clear-cut case against Saddam Hussein and a very clear reason to initiate a military option because what we begin in Iraq will not end in Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: Some in Congress say it's also critical to prepare the nation for what intelligence officials say is a very real threat, that a U.S. led war against Iraq could unleash terrorist attacks against Americans abroad and at home -- Carol.
LIN: Dana Bash at the White House, Dana looking forward to working with you. Of course, we know you from your great work on Capitol Hill and welcome to the White House.
BASH: Thanks. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Scientists>
Aired December 22, 2002 - 18:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The White House is increasing pressure for the U.N. to interview Iraqi scientists about weapons programs, secret weapons programs, this as the administration continues trying to build a case that President Saddam Hussein is not coming clean about weapons of mass destruction. CNN White House correspondent Dana Bash says it's part of a new phase in the battle to disarm Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): U.N. weapons inspectors visited seven sites in Iraq Sunday hunting for weapons of mass destruction. More inspectors should hit the ground in Iraq over the next few weeks as the U.S. embarks on what administration officials call a new phase of its effort to disarm Saddam Hussein.
After dismissing Iraq's declaration as incomplete, the U.S. is now complying with calls from Chief U.N. Weapons Inspector Hans Blix to share intelligence information starting with spy satellite photos that can aid his team's search for elicit weapons. U.S. officials say they will eventually release more sensitive data as soon as they're sure it won't end up in enemy hands.
JAMES WOOLSEY, FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: A lot of disclosure of intelligence can disclose sources and methods and there's nothing the Iraqis would like better.
BASH: The U.S. is also stepping up pressure on inspectors to find and interview Iraqi scientists who are willing to reveal secrets about Saddam Hussein's weapons programs. One question is whether the U.S. is going to grant those scientists and their sometimes large families' asylum in exchange for information.
SEN. RICHARD LUGAR (R), INDIANA: I think those accommodations will be made during the next coming days but it will be laborious attempting to get all the people, their families, get asylum for them, all of the aspects of international law complied with. It's important, however.
BASH: While the White House says the president has made no decision to go to war, some key Republican lawmakers say Mr. Bush must begin preparing the country for the possibility.
HAGEL: I think the president, if he makes the decision to go to war with our allies, is going to have to present a very clear-cut case against Saddam Hussein and a very clear reason to initiate a military option because what we begin in Iraq will not end in Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: Some in Congress say it's also critical to prepare the nation for what intelligence officials say is a very real threat, that a U.S. led war against Iraq could unleash terrorist attacks against Americans abroad and at home -- Carol.
LIN: Dana Bash at the White House, Dana looking forward to working with you. Of course, we know you from your great work on Capitol Hill and welcome to the White House.
BASH: Thanks. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Scientists>
