- Title: USA: DOMESTIC REACTIONS TO POWELL U.N. PRESENTATION ON IRAQ.
- Date: 6th February 2003
- Summary: (W7) WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 05, 2003) (REUTERS -- ACCESS ALL) 1. GV: U.S. SENATOR JOSEPH BIDEN, A DEMOCRAT FROM DELAWARE, AT PRESS BRIEFING FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION OF U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL 0.04 2. MCU: SOUNDBITE (English) BIDEN SAYING: "Now that the secretary of state has done his job, the president I think must finish his job; and that is, he must engage in a personal diplomacy with -- as he already is doing, based on my breakfast with him this morning, with others -- with keys members of the Security Council to pass a second resolution setting a deadline authorising the use of force, if necessary, in order to disarm Saddam Hussein. "While the second resolution isn't a legal requirement, in my view, and while we can win the war on our own, we are much better off if we support the United Nations and we move with a broad coalition. The hard part begins after -- after, after we defeat Saddam Hussein, if that proves to be necessary, for it promises to be a lengthy and costly period of nation-building and occupation, hopefully not with merely U.S. forces. We want as many countries as possible helping us in this decade after Saddam falls. To get their help afterwards, we need to sign them up at the front end of this process, and getting them to sign up will be much easier if we have a second U.N. resolution." 0.45 (W7) WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 05, 2003) (U.S. POOL -- ACCESS ALL) 3. GV: U.S. SENATOR GEORGE ALLEN, A REPUBLICAN OF VIRGINIA, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS FOLLOWING A SENATE LUNCHEON 0.51 4. MCU: SOUNDBITE (English) ALLEN SAYING: "As a practical matter, while the French and the Russians cogitate and consider all this evidence presented by Secretary Powell, I think that the time is running short and I do think that ultimately the French, the Russians and others will be with us. And, sadly, if Saddam continues with this approach he will leave us, the world, no choice but to go in there for our safety and physically destroy those armaments and capabilities. I hope Saddam Hussein, at this very last moment, will recognise this seriousness of purpose, of not just this country but other countries around the world." 1.39 5. GV: ALLEN SPEAKING WITH REPORTERS 1.47 (W7) WASHINGTON, D.C., USA (FEBRUARY 5, 2003) (REUTERS) 6. GV: WIDE VIEW OF STUDENTS WATCHING POWELL ADDRESS THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL 1.53 7. GV/MCU: VARIOUS OF STUDENTS WATCHING POWELL SPEAK (5 SHOTS) 2.20 8. MCU: SOUNDBITE (English) MATT GULA, STUDENT SAYING: "Before the speech I had faith that the government knew something that we didn't but I was really anxious for them to prove it, and from what I saw here I think they proved it." 2.35 9. MCU: SOUNDBITE (English) JACKIE MCGINNIS, STUDENT SAYING: "Based on what he said I'm convinced that we should go to war." 2.44 10. CU/ZOOM OUT: PULL OUT FROM POWELL SPEAKING ON TV TO WIDE VIEW OF STUDENTS WATCHING 2.52 11. MCU: SOUNDBITE (English) KENT BENSON, STUDENT SAYING: "I was sceptical before I saw this and I don't think this proves anything. The pictures they showed were animation's from the State Department and aerial photographs that are indistinguishable so it doesn't prove anything to me." 3.08 12. MCU: STUDENTS WATCHING 3.14 (W7) GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 5, 2003) (REUTERS) 13. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE USING EXERCISE EQUIPMENT WATCHING POWELL'S SPEECH Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 21st February 2003 12:00
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- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C./GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA3XM3UC34VUEKZ9KK57UBW4656
- Story Text: An influential United States senator has endorsed the
presentation of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to the
United Nations Security Council, meanwhile Americans across
the country tuned in to watch the address, with many saying
they were convinced by the evidence they heard - and that a
war with Iraq now seems unavoidable.
Senator Joseph Biden, one of the more influential
foreign policy voices in Congress, described on Wednesday
(February 5) the presentation of U.S. Secretary of State Colin
Powell as irrefutable evidence of Iraq's attempt to circumvent
Security Council demands that it disarm.
Biden said that while there was nothing extraordinarily
new presented to the Security Council, Powell achieved his
objective. The tone of the presentation, he said, ought to
make clear to Saddam Hussein that international opposition to
war will likely dwindle in the face of evidence of Iraq's
failure to disarm.
He called on U.S. President George W. Bush to seek a
second U.N. resolution to build further international support,
including among France, Germany and other nation's which have
been cautious of the rush to war.
"While the second resolution isn't a legal requirement, in
my view, and while we can win the war on our own, we are much
better off if we support the United Nations and we move with a
broad coalition," Biden said.
Another senator, Republican George Allen of Virginia, said
it seemed to him that Powell presentation, and the American
diplomatic efforts that were sure to follow, would sway those
governments opposed to America's course.
"As a practical matter, while the French and the Russians
cogitate and consider all this evidence presented by Secretary
Powell, I think that the time is running short and I do think
that ultimately the French, the Russians and others will be
with us," he said.
At the George Washington University in Washington, dozens of
students gathered in the cafeteria to watch live television
coverage of Powell's speech.
After hearing Powell's evidence, many students said
he made a convincing case that Saddam must be disarmed.
"Before the speech I had faith that the government knew
something that we didn't but I was really anxious for them to
prove it, and from what I saw here I think they proved it,"
Matt Gula said.
"Based on what he said I'm convinced that we should go to
war," Jackie McGinnis said.
But not every student was convinced. Some said they were
not persuaded by the photos and other evidence cited by
Powell.
"I was sceptical before I saw this and I don't think this
proves anything. The pictures they showed were animation's
from the State Department and aerial photographs that are
indistinguishable so it doesn't prove anything to me," said
Kent Benson.
Meanwhile at an exercise centre in suburban Los Angeles,
Powell's speech was watched closely by a morning crowd of
people working out.
While Powell's speech provoked varied reactions, most
people said they think a war with Iraq is now unavoidable. "I
think we're gonna to war and I don't think anyone's gonna stop
us," said Bobbie Reiher as she walked on a treadmill.
Others said they were against the possibility of war.
"I think that this point, my mind has been pretty much
made up that we should not go to war," said Theresa Samaniego.
"I believe that there's other ways to resolve this issue and
furthermore, I think the United Nations needs to examine this
issue very carefully so that we don't endanger the peace of
the world."
Among those who feel war is unavoidable, many said they
hope the U.S. does not have to go it alone if it decides to
disarm Iraq by force.
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