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CNN Live Sunday
Administration Officials Fan Out on Sunday Talk Shows
Aired March 09, 2003 - 18:05 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The diplomatic battle over the latest Iraq ultimatum is intensifying today. The U.S. and France are locked in a last-minute race for Security Council swing votes. CNN's Dana Bash says the White House believes it's within striking distance of winning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president took advantage of a beautiful Sunday in Washington going out for some fresh air and exercise, while top advisers paused from private diplomacy to make the talk show rounds on Iraq. One was greeted by anti-war protesters.
Secretary of State Colin Powell has been lobbying for votes on a U.N. resolution giving Iraq a March 17 deadline to disarm. He said he's encouraged a majority of the Security Council will support the ultimatum this week, but uncertain it would ultimately pass.
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I think we're making some progress with the elected 10 members. But as you know, French have taken a strong position to oppose any resolution. Although they haven't used the word veto, they are certainly indicating that.
BASH: Administration officials dismiss the idea of pushing back the March 17 deadline to secure more votes, saying Saddam Hussein has, quote, "blown his last chance." A key U.S. ally says Mr. Bush's efforts at the U.N. to disarm Iraq are working, warning the U.S. policy of regime change establishes a risky precedent.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is one of the concerns a lot of people have. You know, China might say we have a problem somewhere, and you know, don't like the regime and we're going to change the regime. That's why it's dangerous.
BASH: But Bush officials note ridding Iraq of Saddam Hussein was policy before they took office. And as they make the diplomatic rounds, a hint of the administration's private pitch. The U.S. is well-aware of economic interests of Security Council nations. But the U.N. should not repeat past mistakes that could have cost millions of lives.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The Security Council needs to act. It's unfortunate that it couldn't act when the Kosovo crisis had reached really mammoth proportions with people being killed daily in the Balkans. It was unfortunate that the Security Council couldn't act in Rwanda.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: The president has no public events on his schedule over the next few days as he restarts his personal appeal for votes. But regardless of what happens at the U.N., Bush aides say that he has the authority to attack Iraq and as Secretary Powell admitted, the possibility for war is rapidly increasing -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Dana, thank you very 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
Aired March 9, 2003 - 18:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The diplomatic battle over the latest Iraq ultimatum is intensifying today. The U.S. and France are locked in a last-minute race for Security Council swing votes. CNN's Dana Bash says the White House believes it's within striking distance of winning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president took advantage of a beautiful Sunday in Washington going out for some fresh air and exercise, while top advisers paused from private diplomacy to make the talk show rounds on Iraq. One was greeted by anti-war protesters.
Secretary of State Colin Powell has been lobbying for votes on a U.N. resolution giving Iraq a March 17 deadline to disarm. He said he's encouraged a majority of the Security Council will support the ultimatum this week, but uncertain it would ultimately pass.
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: I think we're making some progress with the elected 10 members. But as you know, French have taken a strong position to oppose any resolution. Although they haven't used the word veto, they are certainly indicating that.
BASH: Administration officials dismiss the idea of pushing back the March 17 deadline to secure more votes, saying Saddam Hussein has, quote, "blown his last chance." A key U.S. ally says Mr. Bush's efforts at the U.N. to disarm Iraq are working, warning the U.S. policy of regime change establishes a risky precedent.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is one of the concerns a lot of people have. You know, China might say we have a problem somewhere, and you know, don't like the regime and we're going to change the regime. That's why it's dangerous.
BASH: But Bush officials note ridding Iraq of Saddam Hussein was policy before they took office. And as they make the diplomatic rounds, a hint of the administration's private pitch. The U.S. is well-aware of economic interests of Security Council nations. But the U.N. should not repeat past mistakes that could have cost millions of lives.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The Security Council needs to act. It's unfortunate that it couldn't act when the Kosovo crisis had reached really mammoth proportions with people being killed daily in the Balkans. It was unfortunate that the Security Council couldn't act in Rwanda.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: The president has no public events on his schedule over the next few days as he restarts his personal appeal for votes. But regardless of what happens at the U.N., Bush aides say that he has the authority to attack Iraq and as Secretary Powell admitted, the possibility for war is rapidly increasing -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Dana, thank you very 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
