This is an edited version....... see full transcript at link.....
Following is the full transcript of Fox News Channel's David Asman's interview with former United Nations weapons inspector Scott Ritter, Sept. 12, 2002. Since this transcript is based on closed-captioning feeds, Fox News cannot verify the absolute accuracy of each statement.
DAVID ASMAN, FOX NEWS CHANNEL: President Bush at the U.N. today mapping out Saddam Hussein's violations of U.N. resolutions. Former U.N. weapons inspector Scott Ritter, who at one time warned in similar tones about Saddam Hussein, sounds different now. The question is why.
Scott Ritter joins us here in our studio. Good to have you, sir.
SCOTT RITTER, FORMER U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: Thanks a lot.
ASMAN: Let me read to you a couple of quotes. I'm sure you've heard it before, but these are from four years ago, when you sounded about Saddam Hussein not very much different from the way President Bush did today at the U.N.
This one is from this week -- August 30, 1998 -- "Six months is a very reasonable time scale for Iraq to resume weapons capabilities."
The second two are from Good Morning America also in August of '98.
First, "Iraq's job is to avoid bringing the world's attention to the fact they've retained these weapons," and then, "Iraq retains the capability to launch a chemical strike." Sounds like Saddam Hussein is very dangerous and could mount a chemical strike right now.
RITTER: And what point are you trying to make?
ASMAN: Do you disagree with that in any way, shape or form?
RITTER: I don't disagree with anything I've ever said. Why in God's name would I disagree with something I've said?
ASMAN: Then how is it that people have gotten the impression that since those statements were made, you're now being somewhat apologetic for what Saddam Hussein is doing?
RITTER: Forget those people. Let's deal with the facts.
First of all, it's a matter of perception. When I resigned, I didn't resign as someone beating the drum of war. I'm not out there promoting war. I didn't promote war when I was a weapons inspector. I'm not promoting war now.
I'm promoting the process of weapons inspections as mandated by the Security Council. So I resigned in protest from being unable to do the job of completing the disarmament of Iraq...........................
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ASMAN: We're back with the former U.N. weapons inspector Scott Ritter. We just took a break. You have to make sure you know all the facts. A lot of people saw you go to Iraq. They said, 'He's a traitor.' Take care from people who are sworn enemies.
How does that make you feel?
RITTER: Sworn enemies, that's a curious statement.
ASMAN: ... They say they want death and destruction for the United States. The vice president of Iraq said it is the duty of Arabs anywhere in the world, anywhere in the world, to attack U.S. interests and U.S. individuals. This is the vice president of Iraq. You just admitted it is a dictatorship.
RITTER: ... I love my country more than anything. I spent 12 years in the United States Marine Corps. I know what it means to defend this country.
ASMAN: That's why people, when they see you in Iraq with these Iraqi government officials, they wonder what the heck is going on.
RITTER: I went to Iraq on my own initiative. I made the decision to approach and say I think it is time for me to deliver a message to the Iraqi government that if they don't allow ...
ASMAN: Paid for out of your own pocket?
RITTER: Hell, yes. Or by an anti-sanctions group in the case of South Africa, they didn't spend a single damn penny. I wouldn't accept their money, it is against the law.
ASMAN: Some people say that some of this money has come from Iraqi-Americans, there's one Iraqi-American in particular, who is perhaps not pro-Saddam but at least people say he's against the U.S. position towards Iraq, that that in itself kind ... of [proves that] Iraq is giving people money to do their bidding.
RITTER: ... He's a Detroit-based American businessman. An American citizen. He has family in Iraq. People have to put this in perspective. They are looking death and destruction in the face. You can't blame a guy that is trying to prevent a war.
ASMAN: He has no contact whatsoever with anybody in the Iraqi government?
RITTER: I didn't say that. How do you think I got the government with him? He can get me the audience. I take advantage. ... I am waging peace in the same way other people wage war -- I am trying to stop a war that doesn't need to be fought. This is not anti-American.
[Unintelligible] ... put my life on the line for my country. And I would do so again if the cause is just, if the cause is founded. If there is a threat worth dying for, make the case, Mr. Bush. And I will support your war with Iraq to the hilt. But until you make that case, all we have is speculative rhetoric and that is not justification.
ASMAN: We have clear rhetoric coming from Iraq. Arabs have the duty to attack and kill Americans even on U.S. soil. They are saying that. The vice president said it this week. Don't you think they are the enemy?
RITTER: The situation that's evolving there's definitely an atmosphere of conflict between us and -- United States and Iraq. I'm not going to defend a damn word they say.
ASMAN: You're taking money from a guy affiliated from the foreign minister/deputy prime minister.
RITTER: I'm not taking any money. It's not going into my pocket.
ASMAN: They paid for the trip to Iraq.
RITTER: It was paid for by the Public Institute of Accuracy.
ASMAN: Just to clear this up for the record, this Iraqi businessman, he is friends with Aziz, he knows people in the Iraqi government. What is he paying to you, anything at all? Are you getting any money?
RITTER: [Unintelligible] ... Is there a hand up my back moving my mouth? No.
... not associated with or affiliated with any particular government outside of the United States. The point is we are not being used as a mouthpiece as some people say that Iraqi-American businessman is.
You yourself said he's friends with and ... essentially one of Saddam Hussein's henchman.
ASMAN: He's a henchman of Saddam Hussein.
RITTER: He's had to say things that are [a] total fabrication. I am trying to facilitate peace by making the case a for peace and the only way to do that, you can't get into Iraq unless you have the Iraqi government open the door. Aziz can open the door. If you want to condemn me for making a case so I can diffuse a war-like situation that is going to put hundreds of thousands of Americans at risk, then condemn me. I don't care. ... I am doing everything I can [to ensure] that we exhaust every avenue possible short of war before we go to war...........
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<my 2¢...... Even when given the chance to speak to the media, Mr. Ritter seems to have unexplained contradictions.> |
