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CNN Live Sunday
The Reaction Of Hussein's Capture In Europe
Aired December 14, 2003 - 15:23 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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Now, the coalition of nations which joined the U.S. in the war in Iraq is welcoming the news of Saddam Hussein's capture. British Prime Minister Tony Blair was the first coalition leader to comment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: The shadow of Saddam is finally lifted from the Iraqi people. We give thanks for that. But, let this be more than a cause simply for rejoicing. Let it be a moment to reach out and to reconcile.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'Brien: CNN's Christiane Amanpour is in London. She's been following reaction from Europe -- from there.
Hello, Christiane.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, reaction has been pouring in fast and furious all day, ever since the news broke. And, as you said of course, the nations that stood with the United States and supported the war have been very, very prominent in praising the capture and describing it as an historic moment, but also the countries which didn't support the war, France and Germany have called this a major event. They've congratulated the United States on success of the mission of capturing Saddam Hussein and hoping that it will further the cause of stability and democratization, there.
And, even in potentially for American viewers an unlikely corner, but still an important victim of Saddam Hussein's excesses, Iran has also welcomed the capture of what it called, "this criminal. The vice president of Iran said "I'm happy they have arrested a criminal and I'm even more happy because it is a criminal who committed so many crimes against Iranians," referring to the unleashing of chemical weapons more than 20 years ago during the Iran/Iraq war, and of course, Saddam Hussein known for releasing chemical weapons against his own people, the Kurds, also more than 20 years ago.
In general, the overwhelming consensus in the reaction is a hope that this will unify a world that has been torn apart by the war in Iraq, those against it and those for it, and hope that this will re- impose, if you like, some kind of push towards a future of unity in trying bring stability and democracy to Iraq, and also to try to heal these deep, deep international wounds that have been created by the war -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: CNN's Christiane Amanpour in London, thank you very much -- Carol.
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 December 14, 2003 - 15:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Now, the coalition of nations which joined the U.S. in the war in Iraq is welcoming the news of Saddam Hussein's capture. British Prime Minister Tony Blair was the first coalition leader to comment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: The shadow of Saddam is finally lifted from the Iraqi people. We give thanks for that. But, let this be more than a cause simply for rejoicing. Let it be a moment to reach out and to reconcile.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'Brien: CNN's Christiane Amanpour is in London. She's been following reaction from Europe -- from there.
Hello, Christiane.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, reaction has been pouring in fast and furious all day, ever since the news broke. And, as you said of course, the nations that stood with the United States and supported the war have been very, very prominent in praising the capture and describing it as an historic moment, but also the countries which didn't support the war, France and Germany have called this a major event. They've congratulated the United States on success of the mission of capturing Saddam Hussein and hoping that it will further the cause of stability and democratization, there.
And, even in potentially for American viewers an unlikely corner, but still an important victim of Saddam Hussein's excesses, Iran has also welcomed the capture of what it called, "this criminal. The vice president of Iran said "I'm happy they have arrested a criminal and I'm even more happy because it is a criminal who committed so many crimes against Iranians," referring to the unleashing of chemical weapons more than 20 years ago during the Iran/Iraq war, and of course, Saddam Hussein known for releasing chemical weapons against his own people, the Kurds, also more than 20 years ago.
In general, the overwhelming consensus in the reaction is a hope that this will unify a world that has been torn apart by the war in Iraq, those against it and those for it, and hope that this will re- impose, if you like, some kind of push towards a future of unity in trying bring stability and democracy to Iraq, and also to try to heal these deep, deep international wounds that have been created by the war -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: CNN's Christiane Amanpour in London, thank you very much -- Carol.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
