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Additional Marine Attacks Aimed at Fallujah Train Station

Aired April 28, 2004 - 10:32   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go back to U.S. pool reporter Karl Penhaul as he describes another attack taking place in Fallujah.
KARL PENHAUL, U.S. POOL CORRESPONDENT: We have two U.S. Marine helicopters flying possibly at about 1,000 feet. Intermittently they're firing down using machine on board, down into Fallujah. We're hearing the cracks coming up from the ground. That would explain why these helicopters are flying high, flying out of range of that insurgent gunfire.

Two helicopters, one of them, we understand, the Cobra Attack helicopter. The other a Marine Huey gunship that's circling around at about 1,000 feet in the northwest corner of Fallujah and firing down.

This is taking place approximately two and a quarter hours after an initial firefight. That initial fire fight lasted about and hour and a quarter. It erupted when a U.S. Marine sniper team that moved into position around the Fallujah train station, which is on the left hand side of your picture, were detected by Iraqi insurgents on a building on the right hand side of the road.

The Iraqi insurgents, we're told Marine by commanders, opened fire on the U.S. snipers with Rocket-Propelled Grenades. A Marine rescue, combined armor team extracted the snipers aboard three armored Humvees.

And after that the Marine helicopters were called in. They pounded three buildings that were believed to being used by the insurgents. Pounded them with a mixture of rocket and missile fire together with machine gunfire. And three buildings, for part of the afternoon, at least, were fire and billowing black smoke across the city.

Things went quiet there for a while. There was some rocket fire from insurgent positions south of the small U.S. Marine base. We also saw a U.S. Marine sniper try to pick up insurgent targets and buildings 250 or 300 yards away from where we're standing. And after that things went relatively quiet in the space of about half or three- quarters of an hour.

And in the last few minutes we saw the two U.S. Marine helicopters returning on to the scene. And they drew some insurgents -- insurgent gunfire from the ground. They flew high out of range and returned gunfire from on board those helicopters.

In the last few second we also heard the boom of explosions in the distance. We're in position on the northwest edge of the city of Fallujah. We do understand, though, from this afternoon's press briefing by coalition military spokesman General Mark Kimmitt that there's also fighting on the northeastern edge of Fallujah.

Unsure of the full details of that, General Kimmitt said that situation was ongoing. Much of the area where we are, the situation is still fluid and ongoing. But we are hearing explosions further to the east of our position beyond where we can now see these plumes of smoke rising.

And so it seems that on this northern edge of Fallujah today there is very active exchanges of fire between coalition forces and the insurgent positions.

Today's fire fight, of course, coming on the back of two other substantial gun battles in the course of this week. Yesterday, yesterday evening, as General Kimmitt was describing in his press briefing, military AC-130 Specter gunships attack attacked two insurgent-suspected positions south of where we're standing now.

One of those, at least, was a suspected insurgent weapons cache that exploded as Specter gunships rained down cannon fire on it. And we understand that those buildings and vehicles nearby were destroyed in that.

On Monday of this week there was a gun battle between Marines and insurgents about 300 yards from the position where we're standing now. That resulted in one Marine dying and at least nine others being injured.

In the course of the last few seconds, we've seen a flash, an orange flash from the train station. A small plume of smoke going up there. That could possibly, although no confirmation at this stage, the insurgents shooting with Rocket-Propelled Grenade or something of that nature. Coalition commanders have told us that the train station in the last few days has been heavily used by insurgents trying to set up positions from which they could use coalition forces.

And it was really as a result of that that today's gunfight broke out. That's why Marine commanders on the ground here sent in a sniper team to try to take out those insurgent positions. But as I was saying earlier, that sniper team was detected by the insurgents and received rocket fire, so had to be extracted.

The two helicopters, the two Marine helicopters that were leading the fire fight, though now they've disappeared back over the horizon again. The insurgent gunfire has died down for the moment. But as we can see, still plumes of smoke rising into the distance.

The third substantial battle in as many days. And this according to Marine commanders on the ground really does underlie the fragile cease-fire that had been agreed between civic and religious leaders in Fallujah and coalition authority.

Again there in the last two seconds, a sound that possible won't have picked up on the camera microphone, another boom again in the distance. Much further to our east. Again, that seems to be part of ongoing combat in the northeastern section of Fallujah.

We're currently standing in the northwestern edge of Fallujah. But certainly we can hear now in the distance insurgent (UNINTELLIGIBLE) going off, rocket fire, possibly, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) small arms fire.

This is Karl Penhaul reporting and John Templeton on camera (ph) for the U.S. networks pool, northwest Fallujah, Iraq.

KAGAN: We been listening into a live report from our U.S. pool reporter Karl Penhaul giving us the latest to explain the pictures we're are seeing and how that fits in with what were heard from the briefing from the coalition provisional authority that we heard just moments before that.

We heard from Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt that, in fact, he believes the cease-fire is still in effect. That, you might ask yourself, how could that be given the pictures that we've seen over the last 20 hours or so coming from Fallujah? Attacks as we were watching these live pictures and listening into Karl Penhaul, that still continue.

As Karl was explaining, this is the northern part of the city, the northwest part. And he was explaining that lower part of your screen, that's a train station where U.S. Marines believe insurgents have holed up and stashed weapons. And that has been the target and many buildings around there of a lot of air attacks over the last 20 or so hours, buildings around that area.

As General Kimmitt was explaining earlier, he says the cease-fire continues. What we've been seeing, he says, in terms of air attacks on the part of the U.S. military are what he calls defensive responses to attacks on U.S. Marines that are in the Fallujah area. He says our patience is not limitless, in terms of how long the cease-fire will go on. He also pointed out that no weapons have been turned in by insurgents over the last 24 hours.

A lot to cover, not just in Fallujah, but also in Najaf and Baghdad, and other news to get to as well. We'll do that right now, as we fit in a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're going to go back to our coverage now of what's taking place in Iraq, specifically in Fallujah. You can watch the live pictures from our screen. We'll keep it up there for you. The air attacks continuing into the second day in Fallujah. The building that we're zeroing in on there is the train station in the northwestern part of the city. It's believed that insurgents have used that as a center to make plans, to store weapons and to attack U.S. Marines in Fallujah and who are around Fallujah. Topic of Fallujah and the cease-fire came up today in what we call the gaggle, the news briefing at the white House.

Our Suzanne Malveaux was there for that meeting, and she brings us the latest on what was said there -- Suzanne. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, as you know, President Bush is being updated on all the situations inside of Iraq. He met with his National Security Council, as well as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld about what was happening in Fallujah. White House spokesman Scott McClellan saying the president's focus now is maintaining stability in that region, but he depends on his commanders on the ground to tell him the best way to do that. As you know, however, the administration, of course, is following a very important parallel political track, and what happens on the ground militarily could definitely impact that as well.

But the administration saying that they fully support what the U.N. Special envoy, Laktar Brahimi, is doing. As you know, he is trying to craft a U.N. resolution to turn over power back to the Iraqi people by June 30th. We have new details about that plan. He presented them to the U.N. Security Council yesterday.

One of those, of course, is to actually speed up the timetable to try to get those who are part of this caretaker government selected by the end of May so they can work and try to determine exactly what their role is going to be, what their relationship is going to be with U.S. security forces on the ground.

Also, part of that plan to ensure that the representatives of that caretaker government did not submit their names as candidates for the national elections that will happen on January 2005. That is to prevent some of the more controversial figures from taking on a prominent role.

And then, finally, of course, that this caretaker government would have limited authority. This is something the administration has been talking about. Brahimi agreeing that this is a government that is essentially going to prepare the nation for what is really going to be the representative government, have real powers. That is not going to happen, really, until January 2005.

A lot of these details, of course, as you know, Daryn, have to be worked out. This parallel political track very important to the administration. But as you can imagine, all eyes on Fallujah, to see just how that unfolds and how that impacts how effective the administration is going to be in moving that political track forward -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, and let's talk about another item that includes Laktar Brahimi and also Fallujah that will be discussed and also decided within the White House, and that is how long the cease-fire takes place. We heard General Kimmitt say in the news briefing that we were listening to just a few minutes ago, that their patience will not be limitless. On the other hand, we heard Laktar Brahimi warn when he gave that report that any kind of run or invasion of Fallujah could be disastrous for what could happen across the rest of the Iraq.

MALVEAUX: Daryn, this is a very sensitive situation for the administration, as you know, because Brahimi here, he's not only speaking for the United Nations as a special envoy, but also, there are many people in the region, many moderate Arab leaders, who believe the same. They are looking at Fallujah and Najaf and saying it is not wise and it's valuable for U.S. forces to go into those holy cities and for any type of explosive situation to follow. They don't think that that is going to do any good for what the U.S. is trying to accomplish here.

That is why the administration says it will be patient, it will wait, it will try to follow this political track. On the other hand, however, they know that this really is a defining moment, a defining place, where they have to prove that these insurgents cannot succeed in their endeavor. A very difficult position the administration is in now.

KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Suzanne, thank you for that.

And if you were listening closely, we could hear Suzanne's comments, at the same time, you can still hear a number of explosions and shots being taken in Fallujah. We're going to keep the live picture up. We're not leaving our coverage. We are going to fit in a quick break here. and we have much more just ahead after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Our live coverage continues out of Fallujah, Iraq. Once again, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, a news briefing just within the last hour, saying that technically the cease-fire does continue, and that what we're seeing in this live coverage and the explosions taking place and the air attacks on different buildings in this northwestern part of Fallujah. These are defensive responses to what he calls insurgent attacks on U.S. Marines.

In terms of what the U.S. Marines are capable of doing, one Marine had this to say about the cease-fire in terms of exactly what the U.S. Marines are capable of doing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. DOUGLAS ZEMRIEC, USMC: We've been playing patty cake with these insurgents. We have not begun to do offensive operations and the world will see that when we do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Meanwhile, U.S. military holding back, according to that Marine, and also according to Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt. More decisions to come on that, as that's happening. United Nations special envoy Laktar Brahimi saying that the increasing violence in Iraq should not overshadow the larger goal of what is facing this country, and that is the transfer of power, scheduled for June 30th. Mr. Brahimi telling the U.N. Security Council yesterday that Iraq's interim government must be chosen by the end of next month so that it can prepare for the transition, and he also warned pitfalls and massive obstacles at every step of the way. He appreciating, of course, the difficult job that is ahead.

Also want to tell you about these posters that have been popping up around Iraq and around Fallujah. The Arabic news network Al Jazeera is reporting that rebels have been distributed these around the city, offering a reward of $15 million to anyone who can kill defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld or U.S. military General Ricardo Sanchez or General Kimmitt. The posters literally ask for the head of each man.

We saw General Kimmitt live in this last hour. He will be a guest of Wolf Blitzer just over an hour from now, noon Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific. You'll see that interview with Wolf, coming up in an hour and 10 minutes. Much more coverage from Iraq is ahead.

Meanwhile, let's go to the floor of the U.S. Senate. Here's senator John McCain.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Why don't we all join together and sit down and work out with the administration, both sides of the aisle, a common approach, so that we send a single message, not that we're re-fighting the Vietnam War, but we're committed to seeing this thing through in Iraq, because we cannot afford to fail, we cannot afford to fail.

There will be plenty of time after this conflict is over. We may even have commission. We have commissions for everything else. Why not have a commission after we have democracy in Iraq to find out where we failed in Iraq. That would be fine with me. I wouldn't particularly like to serve on it, but let's have a commission.

But in the meantime, don't you think our focus and attention is misplaced? We're talking about chicken hawks. When the president of the United States, whose most solemn responsibility is to be commander in chief of our armed forces and prosecute a conflict that was authorized by an overwhelming vote in this body? And we're calling him a chicken hawk. Please. Is that the appropriate time and place for this kind of activity? I do know that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't like this. I know my friend Senator Lieberman proposed that we all join together and try to come up with a common approach. I don't know if that's possible in this day in age, but it certainly is something worth consideration.

But at least, at least, could we declare that the Vietnam War is over and have a cease-fire and agree that both candidates, the president of the United States and Senator Kerry, served honorably? End of story.

Now, let's focus our attention on the conflict that's taking place on Iraq, that is taking American lives as I speak on this floor. I don't want to belabor the subject, Mr. President, but I want to expand on it a little bit. It is a symptom of the extreme partisanship that exists in this body today on both sides of the aisle.

Yesterday I was under the impression that we were moving forward with a vigorous and spirited and passionate debate on the issue of Internet tax moratorium.

Now, why is this issue of importance? Because the worst thing we can do to small and large businesses...

KAGAN: We've been listen to Senator John McCain speaking on the floor of the Senate criticizing those who would take this opportunity to criticize the president. Senator McCain acknowledging that mistakes have been made in the war on Iraq. But as he says, now is not the time to make those criticisms. Others believe that in a country like America the time for free speech is when they feel they must speak out.

We're going to keep those live pictures coming from Fallujah and a lot more coverage both from Capital Hill, across the and Iraq. That's all after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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 28, 2004 - 10:32   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's go back to U.S. pool reporter Karl Penhaul as he describes another attack taking place in Fallujah.
KARL PENHAUL, U.S. POOL CORRESPONDENT: We have two U.S. Marine helicopters flying possibly at about 1,000 feet. Intermittently they're firing down using machine on board, down into Fallujah. We're hearing the cracks coming up from the ground. That would explain why these helicopters are flying high, flying out of range of that insurgent gunfire.

Two helicopters, one of them, we understand, the Cobra Attack helicopter. The other a Marine Huey gunship that's circling around at about 1,000 feet in the northwest corner of Fallujah and firing down.

This is taking place approximately two and a quarter hours after an initial firefight. That initial fire fight lasted about and hour and a quarter. It erupted when a U.S. Marine sniper team that moved into position around the Fallujah train station, which is on the left hand side of your picture, were detected by Iraqi insurgents on a building on the right hand side of the road.

The Iraqi insurgents, we're told Marine by commanders, opened fire on the U.S. snipers with Rocket-Propelled Grenades. A Marine rescue, combined armor team extracted the snipers aboard three armored Humvees.

And after that the Marine helicopters were called in. They pounded three buildings that were believed to being used by the insurgents. Pounded them with a mixture of rocket and missile fire together with machine gunfire. And three buildings, for part of the afternoon, at least, were fire and billowing black smoke across the city.

Things went quiet there for a while. There was some rocket fire from insurgent positions south of the small U.S. Marine base. We also saw a U.S. Marine sniper try to pick up insurgent targets and buildings 250 or 300 yards away from where we're standing. And after that things went relatively quiet in the space of about half or three- quarters of an hour.

And in the last few minutes we saw the two U.S. Marine helicopters returning on to the scene. And they drew some insurgents -- insurgent gunfire from the ground. They flew high out of range and returned gunfire from on board those helicopters.

In the last few second we also heard the boom of explosions in the distance. We're in position on the northwest edge of the city of Fallujah. We do understand, though, from this afternoon's press briefing by coalition military spokesman General Mark Kimmitt that there's also fighting on the northeastern edge of Fallujah.

Unsure of the full details of that, General Kimmitt said that situation was ongoing. Much of the area where we are, the situation is still fluid and ongoing. But we are hearing explosions further to the east of our position beyond where we can now see these plumes of smoke rising.

And so it seems that on this northern edge of Fallujah today there is very active exchanges of fire between coalition forces and the insurgent positions.

Today's fire fight, of course, coming on the back of two other substantial gun battles in the course of this week. Yesterday, yesterday evening, as General Kimmitt was describing in his press briefing, military AC-130 Specter gunships attack attacked two insurgent-suspected positions south of where we're standing now.

One of those, at least, was a suspected insurgent weapons cache that exploded as Specter gunships rained down cannon fire on it. And we understand that those buildings and vehicles nearby were destroyed in that.

On Monday of this week there was a gun battle between Marines and insurgents about 300 yards from the position where we're standing now. That resulted in one Marine dying and at least nine others being injured.

In the course of the last few seconds, we've seen a flash, an orange flash from the train station. A small plume of smoke going up there. That could possibly, although no confirmation at this stage, the insurgents shooting with Rocket-Propelled Grenade or something of that nature. Coalition commanders have told us that the train station in the last few days has been heavily used by insurgents trying to set up positions from which they could use coalition forces.

And it was really as a result of that that today's gunfight broke out. That's why Marine commanders on the ground here sent in a sniper team to try to take out those insurgent positions. But as I was saying earlier, that sniper team was detected by the insurgents and received rocket fire, so had to be extracted.

The two helicopters, the two Marine helicopters that were leading the fire fight, though now they've disappeared back over the horizon again. The insurgent gunfire has died down for the moment. But as we can see, still plumes of smoke rising into the distance.

The third substantial battle in as many days. And this according to Marine commanders on the ground really does underlie the fragile cease-fire that had been agreed between civic and religious leaders in Fallujah and coalition authority.

Again there in the last two seconds, a sound that possible won't have picked up on the camera microphone, another boom again in the distance. Much further to our east. Again, that seems to be part of ongoing combat in the northeastern section of Fallujah.

We're currently standing in the northwestern edge of Fallujah. But certainly we can hear now in the distance insurgent (UNINTELLIGIBLE) going off, rocket fire, possibly, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) small arms fire.

This is Karl Penhaul reporting and John Templeton on camera (ph) for the U.S. networks pool, northwest Fallujah, Iraq.

KAGAN: We been listening into a live report from our U.S. pool reporter Karl Penhaul giving us the latest to explain the pictures we're are seeing and how that fits in with what were heard from the briefing from the coalition provisional authority that we heard just moments before that.

We heard from Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt that, in fact, he believes the cease-fire is still in effect. That, you might ask yourself, how could that be given the pictures that we've seen over the last 20 hours or so coming from Fallujah? Attacks as we were watching these live pictures and listening into Karl Penhaul, that still continue.

As Karl was explaining, this is the northern part of the city, the northwest part. And he was explaining that lower part of your screen, that's a train station where U.S. Marines believe insurgents have holed up and stashed weapons. And that has been the target and many buildings around there of a lot of air attacks over the last 20 or so hours, buildings around that area.

As General Kimmitt was explaining earlier, he says the cease-fire continues. What we've been seeing, he says, in terms of air attacks on the part of the U.S. military are what he calls defensive responses to attacks on U.S. Marines that are in the Fallujah area. He says our patience is not limitless, in terms of how long the cease-fire will go on. He also pointed out that no weapons have been turned in by insurgents over the last 24 hours.

A lot to cover, not just in Fallujah, but also in Najaf and Baghdad, and other news to get to as well. We'll do that right now, as we fit in a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're going to go back to our coverage now of what's taking place in Iraq, specifically in Fallujah. You can watch the live pictures from our screen. We'll keep it up there for you. The air attacks continuing into the second day in Fallujah. The building that we're zeroing in on there is the train station in the northwestern part of the city. It's believed that insurgents have used that as a center to make plans, to store weapons and to attack U.S. Marines in Fallujah and who are around Fallujah. Topic of Fallujah and the cease-fire came up today in what we call the gaggle, the news briefing at the white House.

Our Suzanne Malveaux was there for that meeting, and she brings us the latest on what was said there -- Suzanne. SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, as you know, President Bush is being updated on all the situations inside of Iraq. He met with his National Security Council, as well as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld about what was happening in Fallujah. White House spokesman Scott McClellan saying the president's focus now is maintaining stability in that region, but he depends on his commanders on the ground to tell him the best way to do that. As you know, however, the administration, of course, is following a very important parallel political track, and what happens on the ground militarily could definitely impact that as well.

But the administration saying that they fully support what the U.N. Special envoy, Laktar Brahimi, is doing. As you know, he is trying to craft a U.N. resolution to turn over power back to the Iraqi people by June 30th. We have new details about that plan. He presented them to the U.N. Security Council yesterday.

One of those, of course, is to actually speed up the timetable to try to get those who are part of this caretaker government selected by the end of May so they can work and try to determine exactly what their role is going to be, what their relationship is going to be with U.S. security forces on the ground.

Also, part of that plan to ensure that the representatives of that caretaker government did not submit their names as candidates for the national elections that will happen on January 2005. That is to prevent some of the more controversial figures from taking on a prominent role.

And then, finally, of course, that this caretaker government would have limited authority. This is something the administration has been talking about. Brahimi agreeing that this is a government that is essentially going to prepare the nation for what is really going to be the representative government, have real powers. That is not going to happen, really, until January 2005.

A lot of these details, of course, as you know, Daryn, have to be worked out. This parallel political track very important to the administration. But as you can imagine, all eyes on Fallujah, to see just how that unfolds and how that impacts how effective the administration is going to be in moving that political track forward -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, and let's talk about another item that includes Laktar Brahimi and also Fallujah that will be discussed and also decided within the White House, and that is how long the cease-fire takes place. We heard General Kimmitt say in the news briefing that we were listening to just a few minutes ago, that their patience will not be limitless. On the other hand, we heard Laktar Brahimi warn when he gave that report that any kind of run or invasion of Fallujah could be disastrous for what could happen across the rest of the Iraq.

MALVEAUX: Daryn, this is a very sensitive situation for the administration, as you know, because Brahimi here, he's not only speaking for the United Nations as a special envoy, but also, there are many people in the region, many moderate Arab leaders, who believe the same. They are looking at Fallujah and Najaf and saying it is not wise and it's valuable for U.S. forces to go into those holy cities and for any type of explosive situation to follow. They don't think that that is going to do any good for what the U.S. is trying to accomplish here.

That is why the administration says it will be patient, it will wait, it will try to follow this political track. On the other hand, however, they know that this really is a defining moment, a defining place, where they have to prove that these insurgents cannot succeed in their endeavor. A very difficult position the administration is in now.

KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Suzanne, thank you for that.

And if you were listening closely, we could hear Suzanne's comments, at the same time, you can still hear a number of explosions and shots being taken in Fallujah. We're going to keep the live picture up. We're not leaving our coverage. We are going to fit in a quick break here. and we have much more just ahead after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Our live coverage continues out of Fallujah, Iraq. Once again, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, a news briefing just within the last hour, saying that technically the cease-fire does continue, and that what we're seeing in this live coverage and the explosions taking place and the air attacks on different buildings in this northwestern part of Fallujah. These are defensive responses to what he calls insurgent attacks on U.S. Marines.

In terms of what the U.S. Marines are capable of doing, one Marine had this to say about the cease-fire in terms of exactly what the U.S. Marines are capable of doing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. DOUGLAS ZEMRIEC, USMC: We've been playing patty cake with these insurgents. We have not begun to do offensive operations and the world will see that when we do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Meanwhile, U.S. military holding back, according to that Marine, and also according to Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt. More decisions to come on that, as that's happening. United Nations special envoy Laktar Brahimi saying that the increasing violence in Iraq should not overshadow the larger goal of what is facing this country, and that is the transfer of power, scheduled for June 30th. Mr. Brahimi telling the U.N. Security Council yesterday that Iraq's interim government must be chosen by the end of next month so that it can prepare for the transition, and he also warned pitfalls and massive obstacles at every step of the way. He appreciating, of course, the difficult job that is ahead.

Also want to tell you about these posters that have been popping up around Iraq and around Fallujah. The Arabic news network Al Jazeera is reporting that rebels have been distributed these around the city, offering a reward of $15 million to anyone who can kill defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld or U.S. military General Ricardo Sanchez or General Kimmitt. The posters literally ask for the head of each man.

We saw General Kimmitt live in this last hour. He will be a guest of Wolf Blitzer just over an hour from now, noon Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific. You'll see that interview with Wolf, coming up in an hour and 10 minutes. Much more coverage from Iraq is ahead.

Meanwhile, let's go to the floor of the U.S. Senate. Here's senator John McCain.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Why don't we all join together and sit down and work out with the administration, both sides of the aisle, a common approach, so that we send a single message, not that we're re-fighting the Vietnam War, but we're committed to seeing this thing through in Iraq, because we cannot afford to fail, we cannot afford to fail.

There will be plenty of time after this conflict is over. We may even have commission. We have commissions for everything else. Why not have a commission after we have democracy in Iraq to find out where we failed in Iraq. That would be fine with me. I wouldn't particularly like to serve on it, but let's have a commission.

But in the meantime, don't you think our focus and attention is misplaced? We're talking about chicken hawks. When the president of the United States, whose most solemn responsibility is to be commander in chief of our armed forces and prosecute a conflict that was authorized by an overwhelming vote in this body? And we're calling him a chicken hawk. Please. Is that the appropriate time and place for this kind of activity? I do know that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't like this. I know my friend Senator Lieberman proposed that we all join together and try to come up with a common approach. I don't know if that's possible in this day in age, but it certainly is something worth consideration.

But at least, at least, could we declare that the Vietnam War is over and have a cease-fire and agree that both candidates, the president of the United States and Senator Kerry, served honorably? End of story.

Now, let's focus our attention on the conflict that's taking place on Iraq, that is taking American lives as I speak on this floor. I don't want to belabor the subject, Mr. President, but I want to expand on it a little bit. It is a symptom of the extreme partisanship that exists in this body today on both sides of the aisle.

Yesterday I was under the impression that we were moving forward with a vigorous and spirited and passionate debate on the issue of Internet tax moratorium.

Now, why is this issue of importance? Because the worst thing we can do to small and large businesses...

KAGAN: We've been listen to Senator John McCain speaking on the floor of the Senate criticizing those who would take this opportunity to criticize the president. Senator McCain acknowledging that mistakes have been made in the war on Iraq. But as he says, now is not the time to make those criticisms. Others believe that in a country like America the time for free speech is when they feel they must speak out.

We're going to keep those live pictures coming from Fallujah and a lot more coverage both from Capital Hill, across the and Iraq. That's all after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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