Wake-Up Call: Say you Want Resolution?
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk more about the mother of all battles in the United Nations. The U.S. and France are now in competition for votes. It's a good topic for our first "Wake-Up Call." State Department producer Elise Labott is on the phone from Washington. Good morning -- Elise.</s>ELISE LABOTT, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT PRODUCER: Good morning, Carol.</s>COSTELLO: I know that Bush administration officials were on the phone this weekend. Can it get those nine votes, or will France work it?</s>LABOTT: Well, Carol, Secretary Powell, as you said, this weekend already thinks the U.S. is in striking distance of getting those nine votes needed to pass the resolution. So they're either bluffing, or they already have those votes in hand. Now, the hope is that this new text, the one last final deadline for Saddam Hussein to disarm, will satisfy those undecided members. Mexico, in particular, was looking for that extra language. And Secretary Powell and Bush have been working the phone, and will continue to do so until the resolution goes to a vote. But they still are worried about that French veto at the Security Council.</s>COSTELLO: Yes, but why worry about it, Elise? Why worry about the veto if it can demonstrate that it has the majority of the votes on the Security Council in its favor?</s>LABOTT: Well, Carol, the feeling is that the U.S. is kind of pushing the French in terms of goading and daring them to veto the resolution, because if they think they have the nine votes, and even if the resolution doesn't pass, they're going to go ahead anyway. President Bush has made pretty clear the U.S. is prepared to leave that coalition, and France is really desperate to keep the issue in the Security Council. So it's kind of saying to France, if you want to be part of the game, you're not going to veto this resolution -- Carol.</s>COSTELLO: Understand. Elise Labott, thanks for waking up early with DAYBREAK.