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CNN Live At Daybreak

Significant Iraq Troop Movement

Aired February 27, 2003 - 06:49   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: We have some developing news to tell you about. This just in to the CNN newsroom from our hardworking correspondent at the Pentagon, Barbara Starr.
Barbara, are you there on the phone with me?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: I am, Carol, good morning.

COSTELLO: You say Iraqi troops are on the move.

STARR: Well, yes. U.S. sources are now telling CNN that what they say is the first major repositioning of Iraqi troops is underway. An elite Republican Guard division is now moving from northern Iraq further south. No one's sure exactly where it's going, but it's believed to be headed either for Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's ancestral homeland, or possibly all the way down to Baghdad to reinforce the capital.

This is something that U.S. intelligence had been watching for several days. Earlier this week, they had noticed more than 100 heavy equipment transporters had left their parking areas, had gotten on the roads. Well now we know what is going on, those transporters have picked up equipment. And both the equipment and the troops are now being repositioned, all being watched very, very carefully by the U.S. military and U.S. intelligence.

COSTELLO: And of course, Barbara, this may be an indication of a very different war from the 1991 Gulf War.

STARR: If in fact this division does move back to Baghdad to reinforce the capital, sources tell us it's another indication that Saddam Hussein will not fight U.S. troops out in the remote areas of Iraq, that he will wait until they approach Baghdad and try and draw them into a battle in the city.

COSTELLO: Barbara Starr, thanks so much for that breaking news I guess. Barbara Starr reporting live from the Pentagon this morning.

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 27, 2003 - 06:49   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: We have some developing news to tell you about. This just in to the CNN newsroom from our hardworking correspondent at the Pentagon, Barbara Starr.
Barbara, are you there on the phone with me?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: I am, Carol, good morning.

COSTELLO: You say Iraqi troops are on the move.

STARR: Well, yes. U.S. sources are now telling CNN that what they say is the first major repositioning of Iraqi troops is underway. An elite Republican Guard division is now moving from northern Iraq further south. No one's sure exactly where it's going, but it's believed to be headed either for Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's ancestral homeland, or possibly all the way down to Baghdad to reinforce the capital.

This is something that U.S. intelligence had been watching for several days. Earlier this week, they had noticed more than 100 heavy equipment transporters had left their parking areas, had gotten on the roads. Well now we know what is going on, those transporters have picked up equipment. And both the equipment and the troops are now being repositioned, all being watched very, very carefully by the U.S. military and U.S. intelligence.

COSTELLO: And of course, Barbara, this may be an indication of a very different war from the 1991 Gulf War.

STARR: If in fact this division does move back to Baghdad to reinforce the capital, sources tell us it's another indication that Saddam Hussein will not fight U.S. troops out in the remote areas of Iraq, that he will wait until they approach Baghdad and try and draw them into a battle in the city.

COSTELLO: Barbara Starr, thanks so much for that breaking news I guess. Barbara Starr reporting live from the Pentagon this morning.

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