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CNN Live Saturday

Interview With Geoffrey Kemp of the Nixon Center

Aired June 22, 2002 - 17:26   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is scoffing at reports suggesting that the U.S. is pulling out all the stops to bring down his government. During a nationally televised meeting today, the Iraqi leader challenged U.S. officials to try and capture him. He was reacting to a recent story in the "Washington Post" that said President Bush has authorized lethal force to take Hussein out.

So how far should the U.S. go to achieve its objective? Joining us now with his opinion on the Iraq dilemma, Geoffrey Kemp. He's the director of regional strategic programs at the Nixon Center. Geoffrey, good to see you.

GEOFFREY KEMP, THE NIXON CENTER: Hello.

PHILLIPS: Three military options here, and let's discuss all of them. Of course, creating an internal coup. Number two, support opposition forces, or just an all-out invasion. What do you support?

KEMP: Well, all three have their benefits and their costs. The coup, if we could manage it, of course, removes the need for using large numbers of American forces. It would be an Iraqi event. We would not be accused of running another country. But of course, you don't know who you're going to get at the end of the day. You could end up with another gentleman with a mustache in an olive colored uniform who's equally horrible and equally brutal.

The other extreme, invasion, 200,000 troops may be necessary. We might have to occupy the country. That would be a very, very strong, long commitment. We could suffer a lot of casualties. And that's why some people have talked about a middle road, using air power and using Special Forces, rather like we did in Afghanistan.

The problem is, this isn't Afghanistan. This is Iraq. And Saddam does have weapons of mass destruction. And there's no guarantee that at the end of the day, if we had just an air campaign, he wouldn't still be there. If he's still there, President Bush will be the loser. Bush, if he's going to use force against Saddam, has to get rid of him completely, totally, finally.

PHILLIPS: And I'm just told we have 30 seconds. So it looks like we've got to wrap this up. I apologize. We had the breaking news concerning the death of the all-star pitcher Darryl Kile. Geoffrey Kemp, I just appreciate you being here, just for the short few minutes that we did have. We'll continue to follow this story and have you back, sir. Thank you very much.

KEMP: Thank you.

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