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CNN Live At Daybreak
Averting War?
Aired November 14, 2002 - 06:06 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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to see now, though, what U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf are saying about the possibility of going to war with Iraq.
CNN's Kyra Phillips is in Kuwait City, and she's joining us by videophone.
Kyra -- what's the situation there with troops?
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the troops and the training, of course, is still going on 24/7, but first, a reaction from Kuwaitis who live here in the area, Catherine.
When we first arrived here, they made it clear to us that they were nervous about this possible war against Iraq. They were taking money out of the bank. Trading on the stock exchange was low. They were packing their bags, getting ready to go. They're worried about the economy and the way of life here if, indeed, a war does break out against Iraq. Memories from the first Gulf War are still very vivid here.
Now, the decision came down, and Kuwaitis here that live in this area were very much relieved; however, only in a small way. They told me that, you know, when it comes to Saddam Hussein and his wars and his actions, it's very much a wild card. They want to see if, indeed, those weapons inspections happen, if there are any conflict with weapons inspectors and the Iraqi military. They do want to see if, indeed, President Saddam Hussein sticks by his word this time.
So, as you can imagine, as you know, the threat of a war is still looming. People concerned about that, and also the fear of weapons of mass destruction, still a strong reality among the people here, and also thinking about the first Gulf War. They can't forget that obviously.
Now, with regard to troops and training, it still continues 24/7. Haven't seen much of a buildup, but the training continues from air, from land, from sea.
We were out on the USS Abraham Lincoln (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that battle group and what's taking place. Strike fighter pilots still patrolling the no-fly zone, making sure that Saddam Hussein is staying in check with the U.N. resolutions, the same ones from the past 10 years.
Also, we were able to hook up with Special Operations troops out in the Persian Gulf. Navy special warfare, combatant crewmen and Navy SEALs continuing to train on 50-caliber machine guns and grenade launchers -- just being in place and ready to go if, indeed, the president says they have to -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: All right, thank you. That's Kyra Phillips in Kuwait City. 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 November 14, 2002 - 06:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to see now, though, what U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf are saying about the possibility of going to war with Iraq.
CNN's Kyra Phillips is in Kuwait City, and she's joining us by videophone.
Kyra -- what's the situation there with troops?
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the troops and the training, of course, is still going on 24/7, but first, a reaction from Kuwaitis who live here in the area, Catherine.
When we first arrived here, they made it clear to us that they were nervous about this possible war against Iraq. They were taking money out of the bank. Trading on the stock exchange was low. They were packing their bags, getting ready to go. They're worried about the economy and the way of life here if, indeed, a war does break out against Iraq. Memories from the first Gulf War are still very vivid here.
Now, the decision came down, and Kuwaitis here that live in this area were very much relieved; however, only in a small way. They told me that, you know, when it comes to Saddam Hussein and his wars and his actions, it's very much a wild card. They want to see if, indeed, those weapons inspections happen, if there are any conflict with weapons inspectors and the Iraqi military. They do want to see if, indeed, President Saddam Hussein sticks by his word this time.
So, as you can imagine, as you know, the threat of a war is still looming. People concerned about that, and also the fear of weapons of mass destruction, still a strong reality among the people here, and also thinking about the first Gulf War. They can't forget that obviously.
Now, with regard to troops and training, it still continues 24/7. Haven't seen much of a buildup, but the training continues from air, from land, from sea.
We were out on the USS Abraham Lincoln (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that battle group and what's taking place. Strike fighter pilots still patrolling the no-fly zone, making sure that Saddam Hussein is staying in check with the U.N. resolutions, the same ones from the past 10 years.
Also, we were able to hook up with Special Operations troops out in the Persian Gulf. Navy special warfare, combatant crewmen and Navy SEALs continuing to train on 50-caliber machine guns and grenade launchers -- just being in place and ready to go if, indeed, the president says they have to -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: All right, thank you. That's Kyra Phillips in Kuwait City. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
