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American Morning
Mood in Iraq Festive
Aired October 14, 2002 - 08:22 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Today we're beginning a week long series Inside Iraq. It takes a close look at a country with which America may soon be at war.
Right now, Iraqis are scheduled to vote on the presidency of Saddam Hussein. Guess what the outcome will be? Well, the outcome does seem certain, doesn't it? Dissenters say, though, that while the Iraqi people do not support their leader, they will vote for him because, of course, they fear him.
But as Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson found out, as the election approaches, the mood on the street is more festive than afraid.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Iraqi reverence for President Saddam Hussein is rarely more expressive than when their leader calls a referendum. To paint for the president for this special day is important, explains artist Abdul. It shows our love to him. Amid even bolder demonstrations of devotion to the Iraqi leader, students at Baghdad's fine arts school, too young to vote in the last referendum in 1995, appear eager now. It is my time to challenge the United States' threats against Iraq, says Samir (ph). So I will say yes, yes, yes to President Saddam Hussein.
Yes, yes, yes, the catch phrase on referendum posters throughout the city. This vote, it seems, timed to send a message of Iraqi solidarity to the United States.
(on camera): But what is in the vote? Not a choice between politicians, but a simple yes or no, do you accept Saddam Hussein for president of Iraq? Statistically, we'd have to ask two and a half thousand eligible voters to find someone who didn't vote yes last time. And even if we did, they'd be unlikely to admit it because few here want to be seen openly criticizing their leader.
(voice-over): Also, don't expect to see the Iraqi leader on the streets drumming up support. TV commercials reach out to the more than 11 1/2 million voters across the country. No effort is spared to spread the electoral word. Schoolchildren, too young to vote and short on books, sport T-shirts supporting the Iraqi leader. Perhaps the most eye-catching of all efforts to draw attention to the referendum, voters donating blood for a banner, signifying their yes vote.
Little wonder, then, that even the humblest of artists here predict a victory for the incumbent. With god's grace, he'll get one million percent, he says. One million percent? Impossible. However, given President Saddam Hussein seems certain to win another seven year term, near enough accurate to make no difference.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And coming up tomorrow, it turns out the biggest customer for Iraqi oil is the United States. So, what happens over here if there's a war over there? Watch for our special series Inside Iraq. That happens all week long.
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 October 14, 2002 - 08:22 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Today we're beginning a week long series Inside Iraq. It takes a close look at a country with which America may soon be at war.
Right now, Iraqis are scheduled to vote on the presidency of Saddam Hussein. Guess what the outcome will be? Well, the outcome does seem certain, doesn't it? Dissenters say, though, that while the Iraqi people do not support their leader, they will vote for him because, of course, they fear him.
But as Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson found out, as the election approaches, the mood on the street is more festive than afraid.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Iraqi reverence for President Saddam Hussein is rarely more expressive than when their leader calls a referendum. To paint for the president for this special day is important, explains artist Abdul. It shows our love to him. Amid even bolder demonstrations of devotion to the Iraqi leader, students at Baghdad's fine arts school, too young to vote in the last referendum in 1995, appear eager now. It is my time to challenge the United States' threats against Iraq, says Samir (ph). So I will say yes, yes, yes to President Saddam Hussein.
Yes, yes, yes, the catch phrase on referendum posters throughout the city. This vote, it seems, timed to send a message of Iraqi solidarity to the United States.
(on camera): But what is in the vote? Not a choice between politicians, but a simple yes or no, do you accept Saddam Hussein for president of Iraq? Statistically, we'd have to ask two and a half thousand eligible voters to find someone who didn't vote yes last time. And even if we did, they'd be unlikely to admit it because few here want to be seen openly criticizing their leader.
(voice-over): Also, don't expect to see the Iraqi leader on the streets drumming up support. TV commercials reach out to the more than 11 1/2 million voters across the country. No effort is spared to spread the electoral word. Schoolchildren, too young to vote and short on books, sport T-shirts supporting the Iraqi leader. Perhaps the most eye-catching of all efforts to draw attention to the referendum, voters donating blood for a banner, signifying their yes vote.
Little wonder, then, that even the humblest of artists here predict a victory for the incumbent. With god's grace, he'll get one million percent, he says. One million percent? Impossible. However, given President Saddam Hussein seems certain to win another seven year term, near enough accurate to make no difference.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: And coming up tomorrow, it turns out the biggest customer for Iraqi oil is the United States. So, what happens over here if there's a war over there? Watch for our special series Inside Iraq. That happens all week long.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
