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CNN Live Saturday

What Will U.S.'s Role Be In Liberia?

Aired July 26, 2003 - 18:32   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.


SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: Well, exactly what will the U.S. Marines be doing if they're sent ashore in Liberia? Let's bring back our Pentagon correspondent, Chris Plante. Chris, what are you learning?
CHRIS PLANTE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, at this point, Sophia, what we're expecting is that this force, which is a very formidable force of approximately 2,300 Marines between the three ships combined. They bring a great deal of firepower with them, including attack helicopters, transport helicopters, and below decks on these ships, they also have armored vehicles, amphibious armored vehicles, landing craft, hovercraft and artillery. They have a couple of tanks with them. This is a very formidable force.

If it comes down to that, they will be able to bring a great deal of firepower to bear in this situation, but at this point, the planning is not for any combat activity. The expectation at this point and the planning from the Pentagon is that they will provide support only, to relief and aid distribution after the fighting has stopped. It's expected that 1,300 Nigerian troops with ECOWAS, as Suzanne was saying, will restore order before any U.S. forces find themselves on the ground there.

So while they bring a great deal of firepower and incredible war- fighting capability, there is no expectation at this point that they will insert themselves into the combat there -- Sophia.

CHOI: Chris, thanks for that.

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Aired July 26, 2003 - 18:32   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: Well, exactly what will the U.S. Marines be doing if they're sent ashore in Liberia? Let's bring back our Pentagon correspondent, Chris Plante. Chris, what are you learning?
CHRIS PLANTE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, at this point, Sophia, what we're expecting is that this force, which is a very formidable force of approximately 2,300 Marines between the three ships combined. They bring a great deal of firepower with them, including attack helicopters, transport helicopters, and below decks on these ships, they also have armored vehicles, amphibious armored vehicles, landing craft, hovercraft and artillery. They have a couple of tanks with them. This is a very formidable force.

If it comes down to that, they will be able to bring a great deal of firepower to bear in this situation, but at this point, the planning is not for any combat activity. The expectation at this point and the planning from the Pentagon is that they will provide support only, to relief and aid distribution after the fighting has stopped. It's expected that 1,300 Nigerian troops with ECOWAS, as Suzanne was saying, will restore order before any U.S. forces find themselves on the ground there.

So while they bring a great deal of firepower and incredible war- fighting capability, there is no expectation at this point that they will insert themselves into the combat there -- Sophia.

CHOI: Chris, thanks for that.

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