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CNN Live Event/Special
Rumsfeld Speaks at Heritage Foundation
Aired May 17, 2004 - 14:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now live to Washington, D.C. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressing the Heritage Foundation talking about Iraq.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: It's to affect what you do. And the fear that exists in that country, that, that crowd might come back in, that we might leave prematurely, and that this vicious regime could take back over, is real it's palpable, and it works, and the only thing that will dissuade people form that is time and success.
QUESTION: On the news this morning, apparently a mortar shell was found that had sarin gas in it, so we have found some of this material. And then, a week or so ago, apparently a large quantity was discovered in Jordan. So clearly the terrorists do have access to it.
How does that change -- I would hope the media would, maybe, say some things about this in a proper way, but how does that change how we approach things in Iraq?
RUMSFELD: Well, let me say this about that: I've seen the intelligence on the matter you have raised. My personal view is the way we ought to handle it, although it's not for me to decide, is to recognize that what you cited, I believe, was a field test, which is not perfect, and what we ought to do is to get the samples some place where they can be tested very carefully, before coming to a conclusion as to precisely what it was.
RUMSFELD: We have to be careful. We can't say something that's inaccurate. So what we have to then do is to try to track down and figure out how it might be there, what caused that to be there in this improvised explosive device, and what might it mean in terms of the risks to our forces, the risks to other people, and any other implications that one might draw, and that's going to take some time.
QUESTION: Do you think that the United Nations should have a vital role in the rebuilding of Iraq? If so, why? If not, why not?
RUMSFELD: The president said so.
PHILLIPS: That's again, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressing the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. Talking about Iraq. We'll monitor that and bring you any pertinent information.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 17, 2004 - 14:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now live to Washington, D.C. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressing the Heritage Foundation talking about Iraq.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: It's to affect what you do. And the fear that exists in that country, that, that crowd might come back in, that we might leave prematurely, and that this vicious regime could take back over, is real it's palpable, and it works, and the only thing that will dissuade people form that is time and success.
QUESTION: On the news this morning, apparently a mortar shell was found that had sarin gas in it, so we have found some of this material. And then, a week or so ago, apparently a large quantity was discovered in Jordan. So clearly the terrorists do have access to it.
How does that change -- I would hope the media would, maybe, say some things about this in a proper way, but how does that change how we approach things in Iraq?
RUMSFELD: Well, let me say this about that: I've seen the intelligence on the matter you have raised. My personal view is the way we ought to handle it, although it's not for me to decide, is to recognize that what you cited, I believe, was a field test, which is not perfect, and what we ought to do is to get the samples some place where they can be tested very carefully, before coming to a conclusion as to precisely what it was.
RUMSFELD: We have to be careful. We can't say something that's inaccurate. So what we have to then do is to try to track down and figure out how it might be there, what caused that to be there in this improvised explosive device, and what might it mean in terms of the risks to our forces, the risks to other people, and any other implications that one might draw, and that's going to take some time.
QUESTION: Do you think that the United Nations should have a vital role in the rebuilding of Iraq? If so, why? If not, why not?
RUMSFELD: The president said so.
PHILLIPS: That's again, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressing the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. Talking about Iraq. We'll monitor that and bring you any pertinent information.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
