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CNN Live Saturday
Relief From Other Countries Enters Iraq
Aired July 19, 2003 - 14:31 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.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: Keeping the peace in Iraq is proving to be a deadly and costly affair and the U.S. has had a tough time convincing other countries to do some of the heavy lifting. The "New York Times" is reporting the White House may now be willing to ask for U.N. help in order to bring more nations on board. Senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre looks at some of the countries that already helping out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: About 55 miles south of Baghdad the arrival of polish troops signals a welcome relief for the U.S. Marines who have been in Iraq for four months.
A multi national division, made up of troops from 18 countries and led by the Polls with support from NATO is scheduled to take over for the 1st marine expeditionary force by September 1.
This polish major says his solders should have the camp ready by mid-August when the main force of about 2,000 troops should be in place. They will be joined by troops from Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungry, Romania, Slovakia, and some Asian country, 10,000 all together.
The polish along with the British have pledged to each lead a multi national division and take over some peace keeping chores by September. For the U.S. it's the one bright spot in the otherwise uphill battle to get other countries to help out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean we would always be happy if there were more and everything was easier. But I don't think I would characterize it as a difficulty, it's a project.
MCINTYRE: U.S. likes to say it currently has 19 nations in it's coalition but of the 160,000 troops now in Iraq, 147,000 are U.S. 12,000 British, which leaves only about 1,000 from other countries.
Some countries are gun-shy hesitant to send peace keepers into what the Pentagon now admits is raging guerrilla war. Other countries, like India, want a U.N. mandate before committing any troops. While the U.S. says it would like U.N. help it's not asking for a formal U.N. endorsement, at least not yet.
Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz is currently in Iraq getting a firsthand look how things are going. On Capital Hill, the former U.S. Administrator in Iraq, Retired General Jay Garner, told congress he believes the mission has hit bottom and is beginning a slow climb up. Jamie McIntyre, CNN the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 19, 2003 - 14:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: Keeping the peace in Iraq is proving to be a deadly and costly affair and the U.S. has had a tough time convincing other countries to do some of the heavy lifting. The "New York Times" is reporting the White House may now be willing to ask for U.N. help in order to bring more nations on board. Senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre looks at some of the countries that already helping out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: About 55 miles south of Baghdad the arrival of polish troops signals a welcome relief for the U.S. Marines who have been in Iraq for four months.
A multi national division, made up of troops from 18 countries and led by the Polls with support from NATO is scheduled to take over for the 1st marine expeditionary force by September 1.
This polish major says his solders should have the camp ready by mid-August when the main force of about 2,000 troops should be in place. They will be joined by troops from Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungry, Romania, Slovakia, and some Asian country, 10,000 all together.
The polish along with the British have pledged to each lead a multi national division and take over some peace keeping chores by September. For the U.S. it's the one bright spot in the otherwise uphill battle to get other countries to help out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean we would always be happy if there were more and everything was easier. But I don't think I would characterize it as a difficulty, it's a project.
MCINTYRE: U.S. likes to say it currently has 19 nations in it's coalition but of the 160,000 troops now in Iraq, 147,000 are U.S. 12,000 British, which leaves only about 1,000 from other countries.
Some countries are gun-shy hesitant to send peace keepers into what the Pentagon now admits is raging guerrilla war. Other countries, like India, want a U.N. mandate before committing any troops. While the U.S. says it would like U.N. help it's not asking for a formal U.N. endorsement, at least not yet.
Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz is currently in Iraq getting a firsthand look how things are going. On Capital Hill, the former U.S. Administrator in Iraq, Retired General Jay Garner, told congress he believes the mission has hit bottom and is beginning a slow climb up. Jamie McIntyre, CNN the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
