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U.S. Forces Called to Ivory Coast by U.S. Ambassador

Aired September 24, 2002 - 11:51   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Our Barbara Starr following a story that has been developing throughout the morning. U.S. military on the move in Africa. Let's bring in Barbara in from the Pentagon -- Barbara, good morning once again.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again, Daryn.

Yes, about 200 U.S. Special Forces are in the air on the move towards the west coast of Africa, towards the nation of the Ivory Coast. They are expected to land in the region by the end of the day.

Now, these troops have been requested by the ambassador to the Ivory Coast to help insure the safety and security of Americans in the country since last week's failed coup attempt in the country, in which violence has broken out and nearly 300 people have died in the Ivory Coast.

One of the things of great concern is about 100 American students apparently are at a school in a town in the Ivory Coast that is still held by rebel forces.

There is concern about these students, and one of the things the U.S. military forces may be asked to do by the ambassador is go to this town and move these students out of the school, move them to a safer area in the Ivory Coast. It is our understanding that the ambassador feels the capitol and the embassy are safe under the area of the country controlled by the government of the Ivory Coast. But again, a lot of concern about the areas still led by the rebels. We are told the plan at the moment is for the U.S. forces to land in the nearby nation of Ghana. Be on stand by, poised, ready to go into the Ivory Coast when the ambassador gives the word -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Barbara Starr at the Pentagon with the latest on that -- you will be tracking it. 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






Aired September 24, 2002 - 11:51   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Our Barbara Starr following a story that has been developing throughout the morning. U.S. military on the move in Africa. Let's bring in Barbara in from the Pentagon -- Barbara, good morning once again.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again, Daryn.

Yes, about 200 U.S. Special Forces are in the air on the move towards the west coast of Africa, towards the nation of the Ivory Coast. They are expected to land in the region by the end of the day.

Now, these troops have been requested by the ambassador to the Ivory Coast to help insure the safety and security of Americans in the country since last week's failed coup attempt in the country, in which violence has broken out and nearly 300 people have died in the Ivory Coast.

One of the things of great concern is about 100 American students apparently are at a school in a town in the Ivory Coast that is still held by rebel forces.

There is concern about these students, and one of the things the U.S. military forces may be asked to do by the ambassador is go to this town and move these students out of the school, move them to a safer area in the Ivory Coast. It is our understanding that the ambassador feels the capitol and the embassy are safe under the area of the country controlled by the government of the Ivory Coast. But again, a lot of concern about the areas still led by the rebels. We are told the plan at the moment is for the U.S. forces to land in the nearby nation of Ghana. Be on stand by, poised, ready to go into the Ivory Coast when the ambassador gives the word -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Barbara Starr at the Pentagon with the latest on that -- you will be tracking it. 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