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Kofi Annan: U.S. Willing to Send Election Team to Iraq

Aired January 27, 2004 - 06:08   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: The U.N. secretary-general announced today he may send a team to Iraq to look at the possibility of elections there.
Let's get the reaction out of Baghdad. We take you now to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, where our Jane Arraf is.

And, Jane, how large would this team be, if it happens?

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: It's difficult to tell, Fredricka. This is still the very early stages.

Now, it is an announcement that's likely to be welcomed by the coalition and by many Iraqi. Essentially, it holds the door open to some sort of compromise that would break this impasse over whether elections will be held.

The key, though, as Kofi Annan says, is that the coalition has to make arrangements to make sure essentially that U.N. people coming here to study this are safe.

Now, that could be a little difficult. Just overnight, there was a rocket that exploded within the so-called "green zone" -- that so- called secure zone that houses the coalition. That rocket hit a parking lot. No injuries, but a clear sign that this does remain a dangerous place -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Jane Arraf in Baghdad, 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 January 27, 2004 - 06:08   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The U.N. secretary-general announced today he may send a team to Iraq to look at the possibility of elections there.
Let's get the reaction out of Baghdad. We take you now to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, where our Jane Arraf is.

And, Jane, how large would this team be, if it happens?

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: It's difficult to tell, Fredricka. This is still the very early stages.

Now, it is an announcement that's likely to be welcomed by the coalition and by many Iraqi. Essentially, it holds the door open to some sort of compromise that would break this impasse over whether elections will be held.

The key, though, as Kofi Annan says, is that the coalition has to make arrangements to make sure essentially that U.N. people coming here to study this are safe.

Now, that could be a little difficult. Just overnight, there was a rocket that exploded within the so-called "green zone" -- that so- called secure zone that houses the coalition. That rocket hit a parking lot. No injuries, but a clear sign that this does remain a dangerous place -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Jane Arraf in Baghdad, 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.