Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Foreign Relations Committee Considers Power Vacuum in Iraq

Aired August 01, 2002 - 08:03   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: That Senate committee concentrates today on what might happen if the U.S. succeeds in driving Saddam Hussein from power. Day two of the Senate Foreign Relations hearings on Iraq policy.

Barbara Starr tracking that this morning with us, once again at the Pentagon -- Barbara, good morning.

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Well, CNN has learned now that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld remains very unhappy with the types of military plans and options that his generals and admirals have presented to him about what to do about Iraq.

Rumsfeld has again told the Pentagon, the uniformed military, to go back and rework military options for Iraq. He has told them that what he wants to see is a plan for lightning quick strikes against Iraq, a very fast attack, something where Saddam Hussein wouldn't know what has hit him. And he wants this plan rather quickly so he can brief the president in the next few weeks.

But sources tell us that Rumsfeld is also getting very personally and deeply involved in the planning process, along with Vice President Cheney. Both men are said to be leading the administration view that it's time to move against Iraq, sooner rather than later.

But at the same time we are far away, the U.S. is far away from making a decision about what to do, we are told, because this planning is going to take some time. Rumsfeld wants to see more creative options from his military -- Bill.

HEMMER: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.

Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com