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CNN Sunday Morning
U.S. Plans Long-Term Military Foothold in Iraq
Aired April 20, 2003 - 10:15 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Word today the United States plans a long-term military foothold in Iraq. "The New York Times" says those plans might include the use of up to four key military bases.
We check in now with our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr with more on that story -- Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka. Well all of this is really centered on the discussion about what happens now.
And, indeed, "The New York Times" is reporting that the U.S. is thinking about a longer-term military presence in Iraq.
Essentially, establishing some type of military basing or military relationship in four places in Iraq. At Baghdad International Airport, in Tallil in the south, at the H-1 air field in the west, and in Bashur in the north.
Now this of course if it was to happen would put a military presence in all of the key sectors of Iraq, it would provide some sort of long-term presence. But what's not really very clear at this point is whether they are talking about an actual formal basing relationship, or simply some type of access over the long term.
What is clear, however, is the U.S. military footprint in the Persian Gulf is about to change now for the first time in twelve years.
Iraq no longer posing a direct threat to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia or its neighbors, so Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch much of the U.S. military presence in the Gulf as it existed perhaps no longer needed.
But of course with Syria providing some concern to the U.S. there may be a different type of presence, and what this underscores really is the administration debate about how long to stay in Iraq and what type of presence to have there.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld repeatedly saying that the U.S. military will stay as long as needed to establish a new government in Iraq and make it secure and stable but not a day longer. That's what he's been saying about U.S. troops but now he has also said there needs to be an extensive international discussion about the military footprint in the region and this appears to be the opening round -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Oh, Barbara, I asked Suzanne about this -- the White House's response and they're giving a big fat no comment on this issue but certainly there has to be some sentiment being expressed from Arab nations who have already made it very clear that they wanted to see a rapid withdrawal. How much flexibility is there on this plan?
STARR: Well, I think it is very early days for anybody to be thinking about much of this other than to say it's certainly on the table for discussion. That's exactly right, Fredricka. The Saudis, especially, have been very public in their view that the U.S. should not stay in Iraq.
Other Arab nations also saying they do not want to see a long term U.S. military presence in Iraq. Now some of this will depend on what type of Iraqi government is formed and just what the relationship will be between that new Iraqi government and Washington.
The U.S. is treading on difficult waters here. It's becoming clear that there may no longer be the need for the same U.S. military presence that had been in the region for the last twelve years with Saddam Hussein and his regime gone, but the U.S. military may be reluctant to completely abandon the region and have absolutely no footprint there so all of this really a matter of discussion.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld making it clear that he plans to discuss this with regional leaders quite extensively in the weeks and months ahead.
WHITFIELD: All right, Barbara Starr from the Pentagon, thank you.
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 20, 2003 - 10:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Word today the United States plans a long-term military foothold in Iraq. "The New York Times" says those plans might include the use of up to four key military bases.
We check in now with our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr with more on that story -- Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka. Well all of this is really centered on the discussion about what happens now.
And, indeed, "The New York Times" is reporting that the U.S. is thinking about a longer-term military presence in Iraq.
Essentially, establishing some type of military basing or military relationship in four places in Iraq. At Baghdad International Airport, in Tallil in the south, at the H-1 air field in the west, and in Bashur in the north.
Now this of course if it was to happen would put a military presence in all of the key sectors of Iraq, it would provide some sort of long-term presence. But what's not really very clear at this point is whether they are talking about an actual formal basing relationship, or simply some type of access over the long term.
What is clear, however, is the U.S. military footprint in the Persian Gulf is about to change now for the first time in twelve years.
Iraq no longer posing a direct threat to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia or its neighbors, so Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch much of the U.S. military presence in the Gulf as it existed perhaps no longer needed.
But of course with Syria providing some concern to the U.S. there may be a different type of presence, and what this underscores really is the administration debate about how long to stay in Iraq and what type of presence to have there.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld repeatedly saying that the U.S. military will stay as long as needed to establish a new government in Iraq and make it secure and stable but not a day longer. That's what he's been saying about U.S. troops but now he has also said there needs to be an extensive international discussion about the military footprint in the region and this appears to be the opening round -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Oh, Barbara, I asked Suzanne about this -- the White House's response and they're giving a big fat no comment on this issue but certainly there has to be some sentiment being expressed from Arab nations who have already made it very clear that they wanted to see a rapid withdrawal. How much flexibility is there on this plan?
STARR: Well, I think it is very early days for anybody to be thinking about much of this other than to say it's certainly on the table for discussion. That's exactly right, Fredricka. The Saudis, especially, have been very public in their view that the U.S. should not stay in Iraq.
Other Arab nations also saying they do not want to see a long term U.S. military presence in Iraq. Now some of this will depend on what type of Iraqi government is formed and just what the relationship will be between that new Iraqi government and Washington.
The U.S. is treading on difficult waters here. It's becoming clear that there may no longer be the need for the same U.S. military presence that had been in the region for the last twelve years with Saddam Hussein and his regime gone, but the U.S. military may be reluctant to completely abandon the region and have absolutely no footprint there so all of this really a matter of discussion.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld making it clear that he plans to discuss this with regional leaders quite extensively in the weeks and months ahead.
WHITFIELD: All right, Barbara Starr from the Pentagon, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
