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Iraqi Deputy P.M. Speaks to UN

Aired September 14, 2002 - 11:30   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. Just two days ago, President Bush spoke his mind as he addressed the UN General Assembly and the topic was Iraq and disarmament. Now, it is the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq Tariq Aziz's turn.
And he's addressing reporters now. Let's listen in.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

TARIQ AZIZ, IRAQI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Before addressing the new allegations, which are being said now, and especially what was mentioned in the statement of the President of the United States and the General Assembly last Thursday, I would like to remind you of a very indicative episode which took place only four years ago, and I think most of you were following the situation in Iraq -- remind that.

In early 1998, the chief inspector, Richard Butler, insisted to enter and inspect the sites. It was clear that that was the demand of both Washington and London because immediately after he put this demand to us, both Washington and London started a very strong campaign, pushing (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and making a series of accusations about both sides. They said that those sides -- there are big storage -- hug storage of chemical, biological, nuclear weapons. There are equipment that would use such weapons, etcetera.

And I would like to remind you and remind our British friends who are with us, that in the House of Commons, Mr. Blair stood and said...

WHITFIELD: Now that press conference involving Tariq Aziz is live, taking place in Baghdad.

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