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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK

White House Reaction to Discovery of Chemical Warheads in Iraq

Aired January 17, 2003 - 06:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The White House isn't saying whether the discovery of those empty chemical warheads in Iraq will strengthen its case that Iraq is hiding illegal weapons.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has more Bush administration reaction to that discovery.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The White House is not calling the discovery of empty chemical warheads a smoking gun, but the Bush administration is encouraged by what sees as a mounting case against Saddam Hussein. President Bush was notified of the findings, but will not comment until he gets additional information about its significance.

In his trip to Scranton, Pennsylvania, the president did make it clear, however, he believes Saddam Hussein is hiding weapons of mass destruction, and he warned the ending is near.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's his choice to make. So far, the evidence hasn't been very good that he is disarming, and time is running out. At some point in time, the United States' patience will run out. In the name of peace, if he does not disarm, I will lead a coalition of the willing to disarm Saddam Hussein.

MALVEAUX: The White House strategy is to push for more aggressive inspections and access to Iraqi scientists for interviews about possible hidden weapons.

The Bush timetable: Look to January 27, when weapons inspectors report their findings to the U.N. Security Council; January 28, when Mr. Bush will give his State of the Union address. Over the weekend, Mr. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will meet at Camp David to map out what course they'll take. And then, aides say, the events in the following weeks will determine what happens next, when President Bush makes his critical decision of whether or not the U.S. will go to war.

Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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