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CNN Live At Daybreak
A Look at the Kurds and Their Concerns
Aired March 04, 2003 - 05:34 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: Well, President Bush has said a war in Iraq would lead to peace in the entire Middle East. But a lot of the people who live in the region fear just the opposite might happen.
Our Ben Wedeman takes us inside northern Iraq for a look at the Kurds and their concerns.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Kurds have long lived in the shadow of the gun. At an arms market outside Irbil, weapons, a way of life. No sale clinched without heated haggling.
(on camera): In recent weeks, demand for weapons has been on the rise. This Hungarian made AK-47 assault rifle is a hot item, as people here get ready for war. "Not war with Saddam Hussein's army," says Ani Ahmed (ph), "but rather war with the Turks," who many fear will take advantage of instability to occupy large parts of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Those seeking to buy weapons must get a gun permit from local authorities. Arms dealers expect that requirement to be dropped if a fight looks likely. War one concern, money another. Among Irbil's money changers, the Baghdad printed Iraqi dinar has become the currency of choice. "Demand is very good," says this dealer.
If Saddam Hussein is ousted, many predict the Iraqi dinar will rise dramatically against the dollar, regardless of whose face is on the bill.
Down the street, with few buyers and a lot on his mind, vendor Abdullah (ph) says he's smoking more than ever before. "We're afraid of war," he says, "afraid of chemical attack, afraid of Saddam."
In the ancient covered market, gold, a buffer in uncertain times, is settling well. Lukman (ph), the goldsmith, says he wants democracy and freedom for Iraq, but worries the Americans will simply replace today's tyrant with a new dictator.
Mid-afternoon, workers unload a truck full of biscuits from Baghdad. Amidst all the emotional ups and downs of life in Iraq at the moment, there is some comfort in the mundane routine of daily life.
Ben Wedeman, CNN, Irbil, northern Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE) 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 March 4, 2003 - 05:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Well, President Bush has said a war in Iraq would lead to peace in the entire Middle East. But a lot of the people who live in the region fear just the opposite might happen.
Our Ben Wedeman takes us inside northern Iraq for a look at the Kurds and their concerns.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Kurds have long lived in the shadow of the gun. At an arms market outside Irbil, weapons, a way of life. No sale clinched without heated haggling.
(on camera): In recent weeks, demand for weapons has been on the rise. This Hungarian made AK-47 assault rifle is a hot item, as people here get ready for war. "Not war with Saddam Hussein's army," says Ani Ahmed (ph), "but rather war with the Turks," who many fear will take advantage of instability to occupy large parts of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Those seeking to buy weapons must get a gun permit from local authorities. Arms dealers expect that requirement to be dropped if a fight looks likely. War one concern, money another. Among Irbil's money changers, the Baghdad printed Iraqi dinar has become the currency of choice. "Demand is very good," says this dealer.
If Saddam Hussein is ousted, many predict the Iraqi dinar will rise dramatically against the dollar, regardless of whose face is on the bill.
Down the street, with few buyers and a lot on his mind, vendor Abdullah (ph) says he's smoking more than ever before. "We're afraid of war," he says, "afraid of chemical attack, afraid of Saddam."
In the ancient covered market, gold, a buffer in uncertain times, is settling well. Lukman (ph), the goldsmith, says he wants democracy and freedom for Iraq, but worries the Americans will simply replace today's tyrant with a new dictator.
Mid-afternoon, workers unload a truck full of biscuits from Baghdad. Amidst all the emotional ups and downs of life in Iraq at the moment, there is some comfort in the mundane routine of daily life.
Ben Wedeman, CNN, Irbil, northern Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE) TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
