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CNN SHOWDOWN: IRAQ
Bush to Dine With Blair
Aired March 26, 2003 - 12:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: More battles, more prisoners, more bombings, more casualties, and more almost certainly to come, as Baghdad looms in the distance. Today, some food arrived in Umm Qasr, but elsewhere, disturbing indications Iraq may be planning chemical warfare. Helping us keep track of these and many other developments at this hour are Suzanne Malveaux, with the president in Florida; Barbara Starr at the Pentagon; and retired Army Brigadier General and CNN military analyst David Grange at the CNN newsroom in Atlanta.
Good to see all of you. Thanks so much for being with us. We'll get back to you as quickly as we can.
As we mentioned, the commander in chief got a briefing today at CENTCOM's stateside headquarters ahead of talks tonight and tomorrow with his chief international ally. Let's quickly go back to Suzanne Malveaux, who's traveling with the president -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Paula. The president received a thunderous applause here at the air base, here at home of U.S. Central Command. This is home not only to Special Forces, but also allied forces. Those soldiers who participated in conflicts in Afghanistan, as well as Iraq.
The president really boosting the morale here to thank them for their service. Also, it may be noted that it's just seven days into this bombing campaign.
The administration has been faced with a number of questions. Were they prepared for this? Did they think it would take as long as it has? Did they prepare the American people for this, and are they responding to humanitarian needs in a timely way?
Well, the president, determined to answer those questions today, said that we are ahead of schedule. The war is far from over. And that there will be a day of reckoning for Iraqi regime, and it's drawing near.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This band of war criminals has been put on notice. The day of Iraq's liberation will also be a day of justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The president also receiving classified briefings, as well as having lunch with the troops this afternoon before he returns to Washington. Later today, he's going to be meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at Camp David for a one-day strategy session dealing with Iraq. He's going to have dinner with Mr. Blair, as well as the first lady, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and his chief of staff.
We are told they are going to discuss a number of critical issues, including the role of the U.N. in a post-Saddam regime, the role of Iraqi oil and humanitarian need. And, of course, trying to bridge the gap of those differences between the U.S. as well as allies, and as well the road map for Middle East peace -- Paula.
ZAHN: Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much for the update.
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