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CNN Live At Daybreak

Iraq Security Remains Major Concern

Aired October 15, 2003 - 05:11   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: And another controversial issue for the Security Council, a U.S.-backed resolution for help to rebuild Iraq is expected to be voted on today. But France, Germany, Russia and China may not support the measure, since they want it to include a timetable for Iraqi self-government.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: We are looking at what the Russians and others have proposed. We think that the resolution that we put forward is a very good resolution, that it is first and foremost a good resolution for the Iraqi people in that it both paints a horizon for the return -- I shouldn't say the return, under Saddam Hussein it's not as if the Iraqi people were really sovereign. So let me say for the establishment of a freely elected and sovereign government in Iraq.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: In the meantime, in Iraq security remains a major concern and the targets are not just Americans or Iraqis who cooperate with them.

We take you live to Baghdad, where CNN's Harris Whitbeck brings us up to date on the latest suicide bombing there -- hello, Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

As you say, security is a big concern in the Iraqi capital. This coming after another suicide bombing which occurred yesterday afternoon at the Turkish embassy in Baghdad. That bombing occurred yesterday afternoon. Apparently the suicide bomber did die. There were eight people wounded, among them two embassy staffers.

The investigation of that attack continues at this hour and it continues as security measures have been stepped up considerably around hotels housing Westerners.

According to coalition military sources, there are "specific threats" against hotels that house Westerners in Baghdad. And for several hours now, U.S. military helicopters have been circling over the Palestine Hotel, which is where we're located. Those helicopters are Black Hawks and Kiowa surveillance helicopters.

Again, the security on the ground, as well, has been beefed up considerably. Lots of Bradley fighting vehicles out there this morning. Again, a lot of concern that buildings housing those concerned with Western interests or Western journalists might be targeted here in Baghdad.

Another cause for concern today in terms of security is the introduction of the new Iraqi dinar. Today, October 15, is the day when the new currency will enter circulation. From today and for the next three months, Iraqis will have to exchange their old currency for the new bills.

The brand new dinar bills are fresh off the presses and are -- they are missing the once distinctive portrait of Saddam Hussein. They have been distributed to thousands of bank branches throughout the country. The new bills are said to be counterfeit proof and come in several denominations. The idea there is to make cash transactions a little bit more convenient for consumers.

The introduction of the new currency will also allow for the use of a single unified currency in Iraq. After the 1991 Gulf War, the Iraqi government at the time had to start printing its bills domestically. But up in the Kurdish controlled northern territories, which were out of the reach of Saddam Hussein, the old Swiss dinar was still in use.

So now with the introduction of this, of these new bills, the entire country will be using one type of currency -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, well, at least that is a bit of good news coming out of Baghdad this morning.

Harris Whitbeck joining us live.

Of course, for more on the situation in Iraq, visit our Web site. You know the address, cnn.com, AOL keyword: CNN. And the latest news is just a mouse click away.

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 October 15, 2003 - 05:11   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And another controversial issue for the Security Council, a U.S.-backed resolution for help to rebuild Iraq is expected to be voted on today. But France, Germany, Russia and China may not support the measure, since they want it to include a timetable for Iraqi self-government.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: We are looking at what the Russians and others have proposed. We think that the resolution that we put forward is a very good resolution, that it is first and foremost a good resolution for the Iraqi people in that it both paints a horizon for the return -- I shouldn't say the return, under Saddam Hussein it's not as if the Iraqi people were really sovereign. So let me say for the establishment of a freely elected and sovereign government in Iraq.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: In the meantime, in Iraq security remains a major concern and the targets are not just Americans or Iraqis who cooperate with them.

We take you live to Baghdad, where CNN's Harris Whitbeck brings us up to date on the latest suicide bombing there -- hello, Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

As you say, security is a big concern in the Iraqi capital. This coming after another suicide bombing which occurred yesterday afternoon at the Turkish embassy in Baghdad. That bombing occurred yesterday afternoon. Apparently the suicide bomber did die. There were eight people wounded, among them two embassy staffers.

The investigation of that attack continues at this hour and it continues as security measures have been stepped up considerably around hotels housing Westerners.

According to coalition military sources, there are "specific threats" against hotels that house Westerners in Baghdad. And for several hours now, U.S. military helicopters have been circling over the Palestine Hotel, which is where we're located. Those helicopters are Black Hawks and Kiowa surveillance helicopters.

Again, the security on the ground, as well, has been beefed up considerably. Lots of Bradley fighting vehicles out there this morning. Again, a lot of concern that buildings housing those concerned with Western interests or Western journalists might be targeted here in Baghdad.

Another cause for concern today in terms of security is the introduction of the new Iraqi dinar. Today, October 15, is the day when the new currency will enter circulation. From today and for the next three months, Iraqis will have to exchange their old currency for the new bills.

The brand new dinar bills are fresh off the presses and are -- they are missing the once distinctive portrait of Saddam Hussein. They have been distributed to thousands of bank branches throughout the country. The new bills are said to be counterfeit proof and come in several denominations. The idea there is to make cash transactions a little bit more convenient for consumers.

The introduction of the new currency will also allow for the use of a single unified currency in Iraq. After the 1991 Gulf War, the Iraqi government at the time had to start printing its bills domestically. But up in the Kurdish controlled northern territories, which were out of the reach of Saddam Hussein, the old Swiss dinar was still in use.

So now with the introduction of this, of these new bills, the entire country will be using one type of currency -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, well, at least that is a bit of good news coming out of Baghdad this morning.

Harris Whitbeck joining us live.

Of course, for more on the situation in Iraq, visit our Web site. You know the address, cnn.com, AOL keyword: CNN. And the latest news is just a mouse click away.

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