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U.S. Troops Deployment to Liberia?
Aired July 03, 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: President Bush is now deciding whether to send U.S. troops to Liberia to help with peacekeeping efforts. How many will go, though? And can the military handle it? Is the U.S. already stretched too thin in Iraq to send more troops to Liberia?
Live to the White House and our senior correspondent there, John King.
Good morning -- John.
JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.
We're told the Pentagon is somewhat reluctant about this possible deployment, but also that President Bush is being assured by Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and others that the Pentagon can handle a modest deployment of troops to Liberia. We are told the president is mulling his options. Some officials saying they believe he will by the end of this week approve a force of about 500 to 1,000 Americans to go in and lead an international peacekeeping force inside Liberia.
Mr. Bush made clear yesterday in an appearance here at the White House that he is considering sending in the troops.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're looking at all options. I've tasked the secretary of state to talk to Kofi Annan on how best to deal with Liberia, and we're concerned. And when we see suffering -- there are people who are suffering there. The political instability is such that people are panicking. But the good news is there's a cease-fire in place now, and one of the things that Colin is going to do is to work closely with the United Nations to see how best to keep the cease-fire in place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: The reference to Kofi Annan a reminder that there is urgent diplomacy under way led by the United Nations secretary- general. Mr. Bush himself heads to Africa this week, and that is one of the political pressures on Mr. Bush as he nears a decision. Again, most officials believe he will decide and essentially has told the Pentagon to draw up a plan to have the United States lead a peacekeeping mission.
But, Carol, the most urgent priority now is getting President Taylor to step down. Those negotiations continue. The United States says there would be no peace to keep and no reason to send in the troops if President Taylor stays in power.
COSTELLO: OK, do you want to talk about the "bring them on" comment now?
KING: Well, the president said that yesterday, essentially daring those attacking U.S. troops in Iraq to do it again. He said, "Bring them on," was his attitude, and that he believed there are enough troops in place to defend against attacks. Some Democrats are outraged by this. Dick Gephardt, among the Democrats running for president, says the president should cut out the macho cowboy rhetoric and focus on improving security inside Iraq.
So, one of those remarks by the president in which he shows his bravado, if you will, that has provoked a bit of a political controversy here at home.
COSTELLO: I'm sure it will be talked about much today on the Hill. John King reporting live from the White House 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 July 3, 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: President Bush is now deciding whether to send U.S. troops to Liberia to help with peacekeeping efforts. How many will go, though? And can the military handle it? Is the U.S. already stretched too thin in Iraq to send more troops to Liberia?
Live to the White House and our senior correspondent there, John King.
Good morning -- John.
JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.
We're told the Pentagon is somewhat reluctant about this possible deployment, but also that President Bush is being assured by Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and others that the Pentagon can handle a modest deployment of troops to Liberia. We are told the president is mulling his options. Some officials saying they believe he will by the end of this week approve a force of about 500 to 1,000 Americans to go in and lead an international peacekeeping force inside Liberia.
Mr. Bush made clear yesterday in an appearance here at the White House that he is considering sending in the troops.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're looking at all options. I've tasked the secretary of state to talk to Kofi Annan on how best to deal with Liberia, and we're concerned. And when we see suffering -- there are people who are suffering there. The political instability is such that people are panicking. But the good news is there's a cease-fire in place now, and one of the things that Colin is going to do is to work closely with the United Nations to see how best to keep the cease-fire in place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: The reference to Kofi Annan a reminder that there is urgent diplomacy under way led by the United Nations secretary- general. Mr. Bush himself heads to Africa this week, and that is one of the political pressures on Mr. Bush as he nears a decision. Again, most officials believe he will decide and essentially has told the Pentagon to draw up a plan to have the United States lead a peacekeeping mission.
But, Carol, the most urgent priority now is getting President Taylor to step down. Those negotiations continue. The United States says there would be no peace to keep and no reason to send in the troops if President Taylor stays in power.
COSTELLO: OK, do you want to talk about the "bring them on" comment now?
KING: Well, the president said that yesterday, essentially daring those attacking U.S. troops in Iraq to do it again. He said, "Bring them on," was his attitude, and that he believed there are enough troops in place to defend against attacks. Some Democrats are outraged by this. Dick Gephardt, among the Democrats running for president, says the president should cut out the macho cowboy rhetoric and focus on improving security inside Iraq.
So, one of those remarks by the president in which he shows his bravado, if you will, that has provoked a bit of a political controversy here at home.
COSTELLO: I'm sure it will be talked about much today on the Hill. John King reporting live from the White House 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.
