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Kelly Wallace: U.N. resolution 'in line' with Bush's goals
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration is confident it will win support from the U.N. Security Council for its resolution on sending weapons inspectors to Iraq. CNN Correspondent Kelly Wallace in Washington spoke to CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer Wednesday about the draft to be submitted to the council. WALLACE: Wolf, earlier in the week, before this revised resolution was actually being circulated today, aides were fairly confident they had enough votes to pass this resolution. And they were also very heartened that France and Russia and China publicly were not threatening to veto this resolution. The diplomacy continues. Ari Fleischer, the president's spokesman, said earlier today that this resolution is in line with the goals the president outlined, that he wanted a resolution calling for Iraq to face serious consequences, wanted a resolution to find Iraq in material breech of its U.N. obligations, and wanted a tough inspections regimen -- that the White House is hopeful this will pass the U.N. Security Council. And Wolf, ... (this) comes at an interesting time, right after the elections, because as you know, President Bush made the subject of Iraq a key part of his (speeches) as he was traveling around trying to give support to Republican candidates. ... Anytime he would talk about being tough and dealing with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, he got a great deal of applause from those Republican supporters. So this president has talked about Iraq, made the subject of national security part of these domestic elections. And now, of course, the negotiations continue, but the White House (is) hopeful and heartened that there's a possibility of a vote before the week's end, Wolf. BLITZER: And Kelly, I assume officials at the White House are anticipating that this (Election Day) endorsement, in effect, of the president even though he was not on any ballot, is going to translate into political support not only among the European allies and presumably Russia, but among moderate Arab states as well, who see his hand strengthened considerably here in Washington. WALLACE: (The endorsement) certainly does. He put enormous political capital on the line, his prestige on the line, by plunging into this campaign, traveling around the country, trying to help Republicans win. So his political standing is enhanced. And of course, Wolf, before the elections, the House and the Senate voted to give the president the authority to use military force against Iraq if necessary. So the president has that authority. But what the elections do, (is) enhance his political standing on the domestic and world stages, and that, as you point out, very importantly could convince some allies to support the president on this Iraqi resolution, Wolf. BLITZER: Kelly Wallace, wrapping up three years covering the White House for us here at CNN. Kelly, moving on to Jerusalem, her next assignment. Be careful over there in the Middle East, Kelly. We'll be talking to you a little bit farther away from us right now. Good luck to Kelly Wallace as she moves on. WALLACE: I will. Thank you so much.
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