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CNN Live At Daybreak
Power Grids in Baghdad Gradually Coming Back Online
Aired April 17, 2003 - 06:33 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: It will be a while before life is back to total normal for several million people in Baghdad, but already there are modest signs of progress. Electricity is returning in some places, and a preliminary civil administration has been set up, at least that's the way it looks from here.
CNN's Rula Amin has a much better view from inside the capital.
Good morning -- Rula.
RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
You know, Carol, there's a lot of frustration among many Iraqis, because of the continuous state of lawlessness, the looting, the lack of medical care, the lack of running water and the critical problem of power outage.
Now, the Marines and Iraqi workers have been trying to restore power to the capital for the last week. Every day, we see more workers going to the power grids, the power stations, trying to help restore it. But their efforts have been really humbled so far, because so far, even after one week of trying, only about six substations are operating now.
The main power grids are still helpless, are still crippled, because of multiple problems. There is a lack of equipment, there is a lack of workers, there is a lack of expertise, and the main thing is the lack of central authority that can commission people and workers to do the work. People are not being paid for what they're doing. They're just doing it by going there. They're just volunteering to help out.
And this state of no central authority is creating a power vacuum. Some residents in Baghdad and some local leaders, especially religious leaders, are trying to take matters into their own hands to help provide some basic services.
Richard Blystone had this report to illustrate that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD BLYSTONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was the local headquarters of the ruling Baath Party. Three days ago, the neighbors decided to dedicate it to a higher power. The prayer room is just the first step toward what they call the Islamic Unity Center.
(on camera): This, with some help, will be the clinic.
(voice-over): Open to everyone, Muslims or Christians from the church across the street.
Sheikh Ali al-Badali (ph) has been consulting with the Christians and gives one of them a tour of the upper rooms, still full of the wreckage of the Baath Party, but the sheikh has plans for religious studies, classrooms and social services.
Where are the former tenants? The sheikh says he doesnt know or care.
"We don't want to cast blame on one another," he says. "We want to heal the wounds of this country, which has suffered so much."
In any case, the Baath Party won't be needing the place again.
Richard Blystone, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
AMIN: Now, the U.S. Marines and some Iraqis are taking over the Baath Party headquarters and different government buildings. But still, Saddam Hussein and his two sons and his closest aides are at- large, and they have not been found yet -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Rula Amin reporting live from Baghdad 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 April 17, 2003 - 06:33 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It will be a while before life is back to total normal for several million people in Baghdad, but already there are modest signs of progress. Electricity is returning in some places, and a preliminary civil administration has been set up, at least that's the way it looks from here.
CNN's Rula Amin has a much better view from inside the capital.
Good morning -- Rula.
RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
You know, Carol, there's a lot of frustration among many Iraqis, because of the continuous state of lawlessness, the looting, the lack of medical care, the lack of running water and the critical problem of power outage.
Now, the Marines and Iraqi workers have been trying to restore power to the capital for the last week. Every day, we see more workers going to the power grids, the power stations, trying to help restore it. But their efforts have been really humbled so far, because so far, even after one week of trying, only about six substations are operating now.
The main power grids are still helpless, are still crippled, because of multiple problems. There is a lack of equipment, there is a lack of workers, there is a lack of expertise, and the main thing is the lack of central authority that can commission people and workers to do the work. People are not being paid for what they're doing. They're just doing it by going there. They're just volunteering to help out.
And this state of no central authority is creating a power vacuum. Some residents in Baghdad and some local leaders, especially religious leaders, are trying to take matters into their own hands to help provide some basic services.
Richard Blystone had this report to illustrate that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD BLYSTONE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was the local headquarters of the ruling Baath Party. Three days ago, the neighbors decided to dedicate it to a higher power. The prayer room is just the first step toward what they call the Islamic Unity Center.
(on camera): This, with some help, will be the clinic.
(voice-over): Open to everyone, Muslims or Christians from the church across the street.
Sheikh Ali al-Badali (ph) has been consulting with the Christians and gives one of them a tour of the upper rooms, still full of the wreckage of the Baath Party, but the sheikh has plans for religious studies, classrooms and social services.
Where are the former tenants? The sheikh says he doesnt know or care.
"We don't want to cast blame on one another," he says. "We want to heal the wounds of this country, which has suffered so much."
In any case, the Baath Party won't be needing the place again.
Richard Blystone, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
AMIN: Now, the U.S. Marines and some Iraqis are taking over the Baath Party headquarters and different government buildings. But still, Saddam Hussein and his two sons and his closest aides are at- large, and they have not been found yet -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Rula Amin reporting live from Baghdad 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.
