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Central Command Head Tommy Franks Meeting With Top Brass
Aired September 19, 2002 - 14:15 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: The man who will call shots if and when there's another gulf war is the now familiar leader of U.S. Central Command, Tommy Franks. General Franks is in Kuwait today conferring with his top lieutenants.
Our Martin Savidge is there too. He joins us by videophone from Kuwait City.
Marty, what's the general saying?
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The general is not saying too much. In fact, we haven't seen the general. Media was banned from showing his arrival at Kuwaiti International Airport.
This is part of how the United States and Kuwait both are extremely working hard to downplay this visit. U.S. officials say that this is nothing out of the ordinary as far as this visit. General Tommy Franks was planning to come in here long before the crisis came up most recently with Iraq. This a scheduled regular meeting with his commanders.
However, you take into account just what is going on across the border in Iraq and words that are being said between Iraq and the United States and it takes a different framework.
Plus, there are two other interesting military exercises going on right now, or about to begin. There is one that the U.S. Army has. The Third Army, called Operation Desert Spring, about 2,000 U.S. soldiers joining with Kuwaiti forces, using heavy armor, maneuvering in and around but not on Iraqi border here in Kuwait. And then in about a week, maybe two weeks, U.S. Marines are coming in. That is called Operation Eager Maze (ph) -- a rather interesting name -- and they will be practicing amphibious assaults; they'll also be working with Kuwaiti forces using air and ground units as well. And that exercise is expected to go on for about a month.
Again, in both of these exercises, the U.S. and Kuwaiti forces say, Hey, this is normal, they were planned. But of course, we all know, given what is happening between Iraq and Washington. There is a lot of speculation because Iraq is definitely going to be a kickoff point if conventional U.S. forces are used in large numbers. They are already here, about 10,000 of them. There is not a lot of preposition equipment ready to go if needed -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Marty, have you had a chance to talk with Kuwaitis, or soldiers for that matter, and what are they telling you? SAVIDGE: Well, you know, it's interesting. The government will say we are very sensitive about what the Kuwaiti government is feeling. We talk to people on street here, though, they are very much opposed to Saddam Hussein -- with good reason: Their nation was invaded back in 1991. They believe that Saddam Hussein is still a man who poses a great threat, not only to themselves, but to stability in the region. When you listen to the leaders, they mirror almost the same exact words that President Bush has been saying, that, All right, it is OK that the weapons inspectors go in, but we have been down this road before, and they hope that Saddam Hussein is not playing any games once more.
A short sigh of relief probably from people here in Kuwait, but they also know that there is a lot more to come -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: And I know you will be there. Veteran war reporter Martin Savidge. Thanks, Marty.
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 September 19, 2002 - 14:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The man who will call shots if and when there's another gulf war is the now familiar leader of U.S. Central Command, Tommy Franks. General Franks is in Kuwait today conferring with his top lieutenants.
Our Martin Savidge is there too. He joins us by videophone from Kuwait City.
Marty, what's the general saying?
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The general is not saying too much. In fact, we haven't seen the general. Media was banned from showing his arrival at Kuwaiti International Airport.
This is part of how the United States and Kuwait both are extremely working hard to downplay this visit. U.S. officials say that this is nothing out of the ordinary as far as this visit. General Tommy Franks was planning to come in here long before the crisis came up most recently with Iraq. This a scheduled regular meeting with his commanders.
However, you take into account just what is going on across the border in Iraq and words that are being said between Iraq and the United States and it takes a different framework.
Plus, there are two other interesting military exercises going on right now, or about to begin. There is one that the U.S. Army has. The Third Army, called Operation Desert Spring, about 2,000 U.S. soldiers joining with Kuwaiti forces, using heavy armor, maneuvering in and around but not on Iraqi border here in Kuwait. And then in about a week, maybe two weeks, U.S. Marines are coming in. That is called Operation Eager Maze (ph) -- a rather interesting name -- and they will be practicing amphibious assaults; they'll also be working with Kuwaiti forces using air and ground units as well. And that exercise is expected to go on for about a month.
Again, in both of these exercises, the U.S. and Kuwaiti forces say, Hey, this is normal, they were planned. But of course, we all know, given what is happening between Iraq and Washington. There is a lot of speculation because Iraq is definitely going to be a kickoff point if conventional U.S. forces are used in large numbers. They are already here, about 10,000 of them. There is not a lot of preposition equipment ready to go if needed -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Marty, have you had a chance to talk with Kuwaitis, or soldiers for that matter, and what are they telling you? SAVIDGE: Well, you know, it's interesting. The government will say we are very sensitive about what the Kuwaiti government is feeling. We talk to people on street here, though, they are very much opposed to Saddam Hussein -- with good reason: Their nation was invaded back in 1991. They believe that Saddam Hussein is still a man who poses a great threat, not only to themselves, but to stability in the region. When you listen to the leaders, they mirror almost the same exact words that President Bush has been saying, that, All right, it is OK that the weapons inspectors go in, but we have been down this road before, and they hope that Saddam Hussein is not playing any games once more.
A short sigh of relief probably from people here in Kuwait, but they also know that there is a lot more to come -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: And I know you will be there. Veteran war reporter Martin Savidge. Thanks, Marty.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
