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CNN SHOWDOWN: IRAQ
No Official Word Yet From Iraq
Aired March 18, 2003 - 12:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Earlier today in a televised address, the French president, Jacques Chirac, said war should be the very last resort in disarming Iraq.
At the White House today, they're calling war in Iraq, if indeed one comes, Saddam Hussein Hussein's -- quote -- "final mistake."
Let's get the latest now from CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux. She's standing by live -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, in the president's words, the "tyrant will soon be gone." The White House responding to Saddam Hussein and his sons' refusal to accept that ultimatum. They say they will not leave their country. Ari Fleischer earlier today saying -- and I am quoting here -- "Iraq has made a series of mistakes, including arming themselves with weapons of mass destruction that have brought this certain crisis upon itself. This is the latest mistake Iraq could make. It will be Saddam Hussein's final mistake."
The president still hopes he will take the ultimatum seriously and leave the country. U.S. officials say they have not heard anything officially from Iraq, but they say Saddam Hussein still has until Wednesday 8:00 in the evening Eastern Standard Time to leave his country.
In the meantime, Wolf, President Bush conducting a number of critical meetings. He met with his national security team, also met this morning with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, we are told, to go over the final plans -- detailed plans of the war.
Also, we are told that he's going to be meeting with some members of his cabinet to talk about policy issues. And it seems, as well, the administration reaching out to those who do not agree with the U.S. policy concerning Iraq.
President Bush today called President Vladimir Putin of Russia. They discussed their positions regarding Iraq. Also, the president called the new president of China, Hu Jintao, to congratulate him on his position, but also discussing their positions on Iraq and the need to disarm North Korea.
All of this a part of recognition from the administration that while they may not agree that war is necessary with Iraq, that they do see that there is some benefit to aid, as well as reconstruction in a post-Saddam regime, that they may need their assistance. They'll continue those relationships. Also, Wolf, we should note that overnight, we have seen security changes around the White House. They have expanded the perimeter outside the White House. Literally White House correspondents and staffers had to present their identification about a block away before approaching the White House grounds. Pennsylvania Avenue also closed to pedestrians, and we have been told that White House tours have been suspended until further notice -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And, Suzanne, I take it we're not going to see the president publicly until he delivers that speech to the nation from the White House?
MALVEAUX: You are absolutely correct. White House officials are telling us the next time we see President Bush, it will be in the Oval Office. He'll be addressing the American people. That will be after he has authorized the use of force.
BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux, thank you very much. Suzanne Malveaux, our White House correspondent.
And we'll go back to the White House live when Ari Fleischer, the White House press secretary, begins his briefing. There could be important developments there. It is scheduled to start about ten minutes or so from now, so stay with us for that. Also, don't forget, Naji Sabri, the foreign minister of Iraq, expected to have his own briefing in Baghdad. We'll have live coverage right here on "Showdown: Iraq."
When President Bush issued his ultimatum to Saddam Hussein last night, U.S. troops in Kuwait were watching closely, knowing full well their long-awaited mission may quickly become a reality.
CNN Senior International Correspondent Walter Rodgers is in Kuwait. He is with the 7th Cavalry, and with their reaction to the president's speech -- Walter.
WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Wolf. There's a clear sense of excitement with the 7th Cavalry soldiers out here. They saw -- or heard the president's speech last night, and their reaction is -- Private -- PFC Josh Conway (ph) said, "I am excited," he says, "I joined the Army to fight, and that's what this is all about."
All the soldiers here are excited, though. Some for less bellicose reasons. Many of the soldiers with whom I spoke today said they are excited because they know the only way they're ever going to get home is to take the road north, that direction to Baghdad, and that's the only way they're going to get out of this desert. So, again, a very high sense of excitement here with the 7th Cavalry. You could see them refueling their tanks and their Bradley armored vehicles just a short while ago.
Tomorrow's issue is fire retardant suits. So you know -- you see the ammunition stocked up. Seven days worth of water. Seven days worth of food. There was an inspection today, the Apache troop commander, Clay Lyle (ph) was on top of his tanks. It's interesting to see the final inspection for the tanks. What they literally do -- same thing you do when you drive to a gas station. Put the oil dipstick in. They check the oil in the tanks. They take the battery caps off. They check the water there. And again, they check all the ammunition. Those tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles are so chock full -- chock full of ammunition, you can barely move in them -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Walter, do the troops already have some of their protective gear for chemical and biological weapons on their bodies? I know they have them very close at hand, but are they getting ready for that worst-case scenario?
RODGERS: Not yet, Wolf. They, of course, keep their gas masks very close to them and what is called the NBC suits -- the nuclear, biological, chemical suits are always very close by. But they're not wearing those because the desert heat in the daytime is 40 degrees Celsius, which is very hot. It is like a hot day in Washington. So they don't put those suits on yet. They keep them close, and of course the gas masks are very close as well. All of us have that just a hand's grasp away, but it's too soon to put that on because you'd suffocate if you put it on just yet -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right. Walter Rodgers on the front lines. Walter, thanks very much.
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