(18 Mar 2003) Washington, DC 1. Wide view White House spokesman Ari Fleischer walking into briefing room 2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ari Fleischer, White House spokesman: "One, Saddam Hussein has lead Iraq to many mistakes in the past, principally by developing weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein if he doesn't leave the country will make his final mistake. The president continues to hope he will. The question of timing, anything involving timing I will refer to the Pentagon, as a matter of White House procedure as you are very familiar with. I have explained this to many people individually. I have said it collectively in the off the camera session this morning." 3. Wide view of briefing 4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ari Fleischer, White House spokesman: " One, I thought it was a notable statement. Two, let us hope it never has to come to pass. (Reporter question: When you say notable statement, do you mean you welcome their help?) I just note that it is a notable statement for France to say such a thing. (Reporter question: And we hope never come to pass?) I also said hope it never comes to pass because it is premised on our troops being hit with chemical or biological weapons. I just said it is a notable statement, I have not had an opportunity to have it fully studied by the United States government." 5. Close-up U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney arriving at White House 6. Mid view Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI Director Robert Mueller arriving 7. Close-up U.S. Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld and US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Myers leaving White House STORYLINE: United States President George W. Bush sought Tuesday to shore up his coalition for a military strike against Iraq as Baghdad said President Saddam Hussein will defy Bush's demand that he surrender power by 0100GMT Thursday. Bush spoke by telephone to Russian President Vladimir Putin and also spoke to China's newly installed president, Hu Jintao. On Tuesday, Iraq's leadership rejected Bush's ultimatum to leave. In response, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said "Iraq has made a series of mistakes, including arming themselves with weapons of mass destruction that have brought this crisis upon itself." He added that this was the final mistake Saddam Hussein could make. But Fleischer would not rule out a U.S. attack before Bush's 48-hour clock ran out if the Iraqi leader rejects the exile offer. He said all operation questions would be answered by the Pentagon. And Fleischer welcomed comments by the French Ambassador to the US, based in Washington, who was reported to have said that if weapons of mass destruction were used by the Iraqi regime, the French would change their stance on conflict with Iraq. The president also held early morning meetings with Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI Director Robert Mueller, US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld and US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/7494feec5400d580b64ca84167c56d79

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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