CBS, White House in Dispute Over Saddam Interview

reuters ^ | 2/26/03

[knak]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House criticized CBS television on Wednesday over what a spokesman said was a spurned offer to rebut comments by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein during an interview to be broadcast on Wednesday evening.

"This seems odd they wouldn't let the White House have a voice," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told Reuters.

He said the White House had offered a representative to counter what he said would be propaganda, lies and irresponsible statements by Saddam in the rare interview, but he said CBS replied it was interested only if President Bush made the response himself.

CBS rejected the charge and said it remained open to providing a forum for a top Bush administration official to respond to Saddam on the air.

"The conversation was never President Bush or no one," CBS News spokeswoman Sandy Genelius said. The White House had initially offered to send Fleischer for brief comments, but this was not accepted, she said. Fleischer denied that the White House had suggested any names.

CBS made a new offer on Wednesday, Genelius said. "If the president, the vice president or Secretary of State (Colin) Powell would like to appear on the program tonight we would be happy to have them appear on the program," Genelius said.

CBS was to air the interview by news anchor Dan Rather at 9:00 p.m. EST on its "60 Minutes II" program.

Recorded on Monday, it is the first interview Saddam has granted an American journalist in 13 years and comes as the United Nations prepares to debate whether to authorize a war on Iraq to enforce disarmament demands.

With saturation coverage by U.S. and international media, Bush has repeatedly accused Saddam of defying U.N. demands that he dismantle weapons of mass destruction programs -- a charge the Iraqi leader denies -- and of threatening to spread chemical, biological or nuclear weapons to terrorists. He is due to give another speech on Iraq earlier on Wednesday evening.

Fleischer said he was not concerned that Saddam's interview could sway opinion. "The American people can handle an interview with Saddam Hussein, but fairness suggests that the administration have a voice."

He acknowledged the interview was a journalistic coup for CBS, for which he said the network deserved congratulations.

"But it's also important to recognize, in the name of balance and in the name of not making a moral equivalence between a dictator and a democracy, that Iraq engages in propaganda and they will continue to engage in propaganda," he said.

A Bush administration officials also raised questions over the manner in which the interview was conducted, saying such conditions would never be accepted if set by Bush. The interview was filmed by Iraqi television, which also provided a translation and pieced together videotape from three separate cameras into a single recording.

Genelius said it is customary for Iraq to do the filming for such interviews, that CBS made a separate translation and that there appeared to be no deletions of the 1 hour, 45-minute interview in the final tape given to CBS. The interview will be edited to fit the program's one-hour length.

[JustAnAmerican]

Seems I remember some word coming out of Iraq a few days ago that Sodomizer wanted a debate session with President Bush. Now all of a sudden CBS conveniently gets a intervue with Sodomizer and the scuttlebut is that CBS would only allow President Bush to refute Sodomizer's words. Hmm, don't know about anyone else but sounds like CBS (the Anti-American network) is now working for Iraq. This was probably agreed to by Sodomizer and CBS just before the media released that little thingy about him wanting a 1v1 debate with President Bush.

[ohioman]

Hey....isn't that Benedict Arnold?

[FreeTheHostages]

Exactly. FREEP CBS.

[princess leah]

If CBS wants to really get ratings, they ought to go live in an interview with Saddam and about 15 minutes beforehand, let our military know exactly what building Saddam is telecasting from...Now THAT would be REALITY TV!!!

[mabelkitty]

I agree. I don't think this is legal.

Don't the Dems have a right to respond to the President after any of his speeches under the "fairness doctrine"? Aren't they allowed to have anybody refute it?

Yank their stinkin' license.

[FranceForBushInAustin]

What this the "real" Saddam? I bet it was a look alike. To easy for the CIA to bug Dan and send a drone to blow up the place. Would that make Dan a hero or martyr?

[citabria]

Credit Colin O'Bryan 02/25/03

At a post interview news conference, the question was asked, "how did it feel to sit down and dialogue with a mad man?"

Saddam: It wasn't so bad.

Fregards,

[Dionysius]

Two mortal enemies of the U.S. -- one domestic, one foreign.

[YourAdHere]

Hilarious! Thanks for the chuckle.

[ex-Texan]

Need to stop the "interview" ASAP. Time to send the FBI and CIA in to demand immediate access to the taped interview. Time to inform CBS that they are under investigation for spreading propaganda about the coming militry conflict, and confiscate their tape, and possibly arrest the principals involved. Tell CBS that their federal license is up for review for abusive crapola.

I do not watch "SEE BS" anymore. They are uttlerly vile and always have hidden agendas. F'em. Arrest 'em. Lock them up until trial. Buncha' clowns anyway.

[CyberAnt]

I think the WH should just ignore the whole thing.

[Balata]

OK, I need to print new bumper stickers.

Bomb Baghdad, Paris, CBS,...

[bvw]

Benedict Arnold won some vital battles for us before his vanity got the best of him. There is no comparison between Arnold and Rather -- Rather wouldn't fill the toes of Arnold's boots.

[concerned about politics]

"This seems odd they wouldn't let the White House have a voice," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told Reuters.

CBS has an anti-American agenda. They sucked up to an anti-Constitutionalist Marxist president for 8 years. This is not suprising at all. They've always sided with Americas enemies. Always.

[alisasny]

...... that CBS made a separate translation and that there appeared to be no deletions of the 1 hour, 45-minute interview in the final tape given to CBS

I don't believe CBS, sorry. Won't be watching Dan Rathers puff piece on the Butcher of Baghdad. In fact Rather should be ashamed of himself doing this interview at this late date.

[Mat_Helm]

I want a copy!

[clamboat]

Need to stop the "interview" ASAP. Time to send the FBI and CIA in to demand immediate access to the taped interview. Time to inform CBS that they are under investigation for spreading propaganda about the coming militry conflict, and confiscate their tape, and possibly arrest the principals involved. Tell CBS that their federal license is up for review for abusive crapola.

Well it is easy for us all to imagine the type of America we would suffer under if you and your ilk had their way. Hopefully you and others who offer the same vision of America will never hold power in the United States, but will always be a marginalized, freakish small minority in our democracy.

[concerned about politics]

Rush feels the WH wants people to watch it, and that's why they're even discussing it. Maybe Saddam looks like a real kook after all. Otherwise, it seems the WH would just debunk it.

[The_Scrutinizer]

Anyone remember how Dan Rather tipped off Noriega of the impending US attack on the CBS Evening News, December 20th, 1989: "U.S. military transport planes have left Fort Bragg, home of the Army's elite 82nd Airborne paratroopers. The Pentagon declines to say whether or not they are bound for Panama..." As a result, we lost tactical suprise in the operation. American soldier's blood on his hands?? Treason???

[hellinahandcart]

CBS made a new offer on Wednesday, Genelius said. "If the president, the vice president or Secretary of State (Colin) Powell would like to appear on the program tonight we would be happy to have them appear on the program," Genelius said.

Absolutely breathtaking arrogance.