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CNN Live At Daybreak

U.S. Military Forces Fighting Back in Iraq

Aired June 12, 2003 - 05:12   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: U.S. military forces are fighting back in Iraq. As you know, there have been frequent and deadly attacks on U.S. troops ever since the war ended. Now, in what's being called Operation Peninsula Strike, American troops have rounded up 400 Iraqis, many of whom are suspected of being Saddam Hussein loyalists. The detainees are being questioned about 45 miles north of Baghdad. Central Command says no Americans have been killed in the raids. Officials will not confirm reports of Iraqi deaths.
Hans Blix is winding down to his last few days as the U.N.'s chief weapons inspector. But don't look for him to go quietly. Blix is speaking out more and more. He is angry over how he feels he was treated by some in the U.S. government.

CNN's Richard Roth asked Blix about a recent newspaper report in which Blix accuses the U.S. of a smear campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: I said it vexes me if I have what I regard as totally unjustified accusations. But I don't lose sleep over it and I have certainly pursued my job here.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You used a word beginning with B.

BLIX: Ah, yes. Yes. Well, I wasn't sure that would be printed. I don't think it will be printed in America.

ROTH: So do you think they were, to use the word, printed bastards?

BLIX: Well, I certainly had thought, had a low opinion about these detractors. But it's not really worth much time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Richard Roth talking to Hans Blix.

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 June 12, 2003 - 05:12   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. military forces are fighting back in Iraq. As you know, there have been frequent and deadly attacks on U.S. troops ever since the war ended. Now, in what's being called Operation Peninsula Strike, American troops have rounded up 400 Iraqis, many of whom are suspected of being Saddam Hussein loyalists. The detainees are being questioned about 45 miles north of Baghdad. Central Command says no Americans have been killed in the raids. Officials will not confirm reports of Iraqi deaths.
Hans Blix is winding down to his last few days as the U.N.'s chief weapons inspector. But don't look for him to go quietly. Blix is speaking out more and more. He is angry over how he feels he was treated by some in the U.S. government.

CNN's Richard Roth asked Blix about a recent newspaper report in which Blix accuses the U.S. of a smear campaign.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HANS BLIX, CHIEF U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR: I said it vexes me if I have what I regard as totally unjustified accusations. But I don't lose sleep over it and I have certainly pursued my job here.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You used a word beginning with B.

BLIX: Ah, yes. Yes. Well, I wasn't sure that would be printed. I don't think it will be printed in America.

ROTH: So do you think they were, to use the word, printed bastards?

BLIX: Well, I certainly had thought, had a low opinion about these detractors. But it's not really worth much time.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Richard Roth talking to Hans Blix.

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