U.N. Resolution Ready for Vote
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The U.N. Security Council will vote in just a few hours on a new resolution against Iraq. CNN's senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth, joins us live with details. Good morning -- Richard.</s>RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. Well, the United Nations Security Council is finally getting ready to vote on this U.S.-backed resolution, designed to return U.N. weapons inspectors to Iraq, providing Baghdad accepts the terms of this resolution. The Security Council resolution would say that the inspectors can have unimpeded, unrestricted access to Iraq. They haven't been there since December of 1998. It's not clear yet how Russia will vote on this resolution. France, yesterday, came on board. President Bush, in keeping the heat on Baghdad, described what he sees the good of this resolution.</s>GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The resolution is a disarmament resolution. That's what it is. It's a statement of intent to once and for all disarm Saddam Hussein. He's a threat. He's a threat to the country, he's a threat to people in his neighborhood, and he's a real threat. And it's now time for the world to come together and disarm him. And when this resolution passes, I will be able to say that the United Nations has recognized the threat, and now we're going to work together to disarm him.</s>ROTH: The president said there had been 16 previous attempts, 16 other resolutions, but he said this one is for real. However, Russia giving different signals, saying on one hand that it's a satisfactory resolution, and on the other hand also saying there should be more consultations. But it's pretty sure, Carol, there will be a vote this morning, and it will pass.</s>COSTELLO: Well, hopefully unanimously. Richard Roth, thank you very much. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.