Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/23/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / IRAQ (L only)

NUMBER=2-295611

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

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INTRO: The Bush administration says work on a U-N resolution on Iraq appears to be nearing an end. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports U-S officials indicate they will accept some minor changes in the draft resolution being circulated by the United States, but the core must remain the same.

TEXT: White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer refuses to predict what will happen to the draft resolution now being circulated in the Security Council. But he says the end is in sight.

///FLEISCHER ACT///

They have some amount of time left, but not a lot. And the President knows that, and I think the U-N knows that too.

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Shortly after he spoke, it was announced that all 15 Security Council members were preparing to meet for the first time for informal consultations on a U-S backed draft resolution that was presented this week.

Mr. Fleischer was asked if the United States would accept any changes in the document, which outlines a tough new weapons inspection regime, and warns of "consequences" if Iraq does not comply. He said the diplomats at the U-N are working hard on every word, every sentence, and every paragraph.

///FLEISCHER ACT///

Nobody has ruled out that there could be any changes. But the core of the resolution must be as I described it earlier in order for the U-N to keep the peace. And that is that there must be (it must include wording on): material breach (editors: this is a legal reference to Iraq's violations of U-N resolutions), that there must be consequences and there must be a tough inspection regime.

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The draft resolution has already drawn objections from two of the five permanent members of the Security Council France and Russia. They fear language in the resolution could be interpreted to permit military action.

The U-S Ambassador to the United Nations, John Negroponte, called the resolution "a work in progress." Ari Fleischer said "there is movement" and refused to say what the Bush administration might do if the Security Council fails to pass a new resolution on Iraqi disarmament.

///FLEISCHER ACT///

Well, let's see what happens at the United Nations. No one is going to know what the outcome of any vote at the United Nations Security Council will be until members of the Security Council raise their hands and vote.

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President Bush called on the U-N to take a tough stand on Iraq during a speech to the General Assembly on September 12th. He warned that if the United Nations does not take action to disarm Iraq, the United States will. (signed)