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CNN Live Saturday
Kuwaiti Officials Prepare for Possibility of War in Iraq
Aired February 08, 2003 - 18:06 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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Officials in Kuwait are bracing for the possibility of a U.S.-led war against Iraq. CNN's Martin Savidge is live in Kuwait City with that and much more.
Marty, we were just talking about that, about an hour ago, about how Kuwaiti citizens there are bracing for the worst.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN INT'L CORRESPONDENT: They are. But in fact many of them say they plan to stay here in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti government is reportedly taking steps to make sure the country is ready for war anytime after February 15. That, of course, is one day after the U.N. chief weapons inspectors are scheduled to present their findings on Iraq to the Security Council.
Kuwaiti media say that government sources here have outlined the preparations being made. They're reportedly include military patrols of areas where international troops are based, posting military police at hospitals and clinics, increased security for utilities, and an order that all Kuwaiti aircraft keep full tanks, so they can be evacuated in case of attack.
The government had previously announced that as of February 15 the northern part of the country, a huge swath of it, would be off limits, deciding it to be a military exclusion zone.
Meanwhile, Iraqi opposition leaders are meeting in Turkey, which reportedly has agreed to take in more American forces. James Martone is live in Ankara, with more on those developments -- James.
JAMES MARTONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Marty, yes. Well, as you said, the Turks and Turkey has been discussing the issue of U.S. troops. Even today, the Turkish prime minister was in meetings with his senior officials here about what they will decide in their upcoming parliamentary meeting on the 18th of February, in terms of the number of U.S. troops allowed into the country.
Now, lawmakers here, last Thursday, did agree to allow in approximately 3,500 U.S. troops and that's to renovate, they say, different air bases here in Turkey in preparation for what many say could be a war. Still, Turkey saying that a war must be averted. Officially they say there can be a peaceful solution.
And to that effect, interestingly, we're only recently finding out that even last Monday Turkey flew a government plane to Baghdad, brought back one of the vice presidents of Iraq, Taha Yassin Ramadan, sat him down here in Ankara and discussed with him the importance of complying with U.N. resolutions. So, still trying, Turkey, they say, to hear for a peaceful solution, but at the same time very much aware of the seriousness of the situation and preparing, at least, looking toward the possibilities of war -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: James, as we look forward to what could be a military build up there, U.S. forces in Turkey, you say the 18th they will vote on it, how quickly after that could U.S. forces be allowed in for a buildup?
MARTONE: That's still very much in question. As it stands now, while it is leaking and people are more or less, there's understanding that troops, the numbers still not clear, but yes U.S. troops will in certain numbers be allowed in.
When that would begin is still not sure. In fact, as I mentioned, the 3,500 who have been, it's been agreed that they've been allowed in to renovate the different military bases here. They still have -- not certain here when they will actually be arriving. So, the question as to whether and when they will, the numbers involved and when exactly they will be arriving is still not clear at this point -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: James Martone, joining us live from Ankara, in Turkey, thanks very much.
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 February 8, 2003 - 18:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Officials in Kuwait are bracing for the possibility of a U.S.-led war against Iraq. CNN's Martin Savidge is live in Kuwait City with that and much more.
Marty, we were just talking about that, about an hour ago, about how Kuwaiti citizens there are bracing for the worst.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN INT'L CORRESPONDENT: They are. But in fact many of them say they plan to stay here in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti government is reportedly taking steps to make sure the country is ready for war anytime after February 15. That, of course, is one day after the U.N. chief weapons inspectors are scheduled to present their findings on Iraq to the Security Council.
Kuwaiti media say that government sources here have outlined the preparations being made. They're reportedly include military patrols of areas where international troops are based, posting military police at hospitals and clinics, increased security for utilities, and an order that all Kuwaiti aircraft keep full tanks, so they can be evacuated in case of attack.
The government had previously announced that as of February 15 the northern part of the country, a huge swath of it, would be off limits, deciding it to be a military exclusion zone.
Meanwhile, Iraqi opposition leaders are meeting in Turkey, which reportedly has agreed to take in more American forces. James Martone is live in Ankara, with more on those developments -- James.
JAMES MARTONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Marty, yes. Well, as you said, the Turks and Turkey has been discussing the issue of U.S. troops. Even today, the Turkish prime minister was in meetings with his senior officials here about what they will decide in their upcoming parliamentary meeting on the 18th of February, in terms of the number of U.S. troops allowed into the country.
Now, lawmakers here, last Thursday, did agree to allow in approximately 3,500 U.S. troops and that's to renovate, they say, different air bases here in Turkey in preparation for what many say could be a war. Still, Turkey saying that a war must be averted. Officially they say there can be a peaceful solution.
And to that effect, interestingly, we're only recently finding out that even last Monday Turkey flew a government plane to Baghdad, brought back one of the vice presidents of Iraq, Taha Yassin Ramadan, sat him down here in Ankara and discussed with him the importance of complying with U.N. resolutions. So, still trying, Turkey, they say, to hear for a peaceful solution, but at the same time very much aware of the seriousness of the situation and preparing, at least, looking toward the possibilities of war -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: James, as we look forward to what could be a military build up there, U.S. forces in Turkey, you say the 18th they will vote on it, how quickly after that could U.S. forces be allowed in for a buildup?
MARTONE: That's still very much in question. As it stands now, while it is leaking and people are more or less, there's understanding that troops, the numbers still not clear, but yes U.S. troops will in certain numbers be allowed in.
When that would begin is still not sure. In fact, as I mentioned, the 3,500 who have been, it's been agreed that they've been allowed in to renovate the different military bases here. They still have -- not certain here when they will actually be arriving. So, the question as to whether and when they will, the numbers involved and when exactly they will be arriving is still not clear at this point -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: James Martone, joining us live from Ankara, in Turkey, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
