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Joint Chiefs Chairman in Middle East Seeking Support Against Iraq

Aired October 29, 2002 - 14:17   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.


MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: For weeks, we're telling you about U.S. troops taking part in military exercises in Kuwait, right across the border from Iraq. Now their commanders in the region building support in case of war.
CNN's Kyra Phillips joins us via videophone from a forward deployed base with more on the situation there -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Marty.

Yes, once again, we're coming to you live from this cockpit of the P-3. As you know, this aircraft is what takes surveillance pictures in this region. It's a support of Operation Southern Watch, and just to make sure that Saddam Hussein is complying with UN resolutions.

Now, the threat of Saddam Hussein, as you know, on the minds of Americans and everyone who lives out here in the Persian Gulf. So we were able to sit down today with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers. He was here making a visit with what he says are strategic partners.

Main question that I asked him, does he believe that there is a link between Iraq and al Qaeda, and if indeed we do need to worry about the threat of Saddam Hussein right now and in the future.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GENERAL RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: We know that senior al Qaeda members have stayed in Baghdad for long periods of time. Hard to believe that could happen if the government, Iraqi government, didn't know about that. We know that there are other al Qaeda currently in Iraq. So we think there are lots of indications that point to a relationship. I've got lots of questions as well, but as every day goes by, those questions are getting easier and easier to answer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: So I furthered up with the chairman and yet asked him another question. And that was I asked him if he believed that Saddam Hussein could be planning attacks on the United States with other terrorist organizations. This is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) FRANKS: I don't know that we, you know, without getting into some really sensitive intelligence, I think it's certainly -- it's certainly conceivable. Saddam has made, and the Iraqi regime has made, a lot of damning comments about the United States of America, the West in general, and a lot of our friends and allies, not to mention countries in this region. It was the Iraqi regime and Saddam who went into Kuwait. So to think that that would not be going on I don't think is rational. But to know for sure right now is another matter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Now, Marty, the reason why the chairman was here was he was visiting Saudi Arabia, also Bahrain. He said it was a chance to meet with strategic partners.

I asked him if he talked about a possible war with Iraq. He said, no. I went on further to ask him he would hope that Saudi Arabia would allow the U.S. to use its territory as a launching pad for an attack against Iraq. He said they did not talk about those plans, but he does expect support in the future.

I went on further and asked him directly if indeed he believes the U.S. is going to war with Iraq. His answer plain and simple, he will deal with the present as he has to do, and he's prepared -- Marty.

SAVIDGE: Kyra Phillips, joining us from in the Persian Gulf region, with U.S. military forces, via the videophone. Thank you.

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




Against Iraq>


Aired October 29, 2002 - 14:17   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: For weeks, we're telling you about U.S. troops taking part in military exercises in Kuwait, right across the border from Iraq. Now their commanders in the region building support in case of war.
CNN's Kyra Phillips joins us via videophone from a forward deployed base with more on the situation there -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Marty.

Yes, once again, we're coming to you live from this cockpit of the P-3. As you know, this aircraft is what takes surveillance pictures in this region. It's a support of Operation Southern Watch, and just to make sure that Saddam Hussein is complying with UN resolutions.

Now, the threat of Saddam Hussein, as you know, on the minds of Americans and everyone who lives out here in the Persian Gulf. So we were able to sit down today with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers. He was here making a visit with what he says are strategic partners.

Main question that I asked him, does he believe that there is a link between Iraq and al Qaeda, and if indeed we do need to worry about the threat of Saddam Hussein right now and in the future.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GENERAL RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: We know that senior al Qaeda members have stayed in Baghdad for long periods of time. Hard to believe that could happen if the government, Iraqi government, didn't know about that. We know that there are other al Qaeda currently in Iraq. So we think there are lots of indications that point to a relationship. I've got lots of questions as well, but as every day goes by, those questions are getting easier and easier to answer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: So I furthered up with the chairman and yet asked him another question. And that was I asked him if he believed that Saddam Hussein could be planning attacks on the United States with other terrorist organizations. This is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) FRANKS: I don't know that we, you know, without getting into some really sensitive intelligence, I think it's certainly -- it's certainly conceivable. Saddam has made, and the Iraqi regime has made, a lot of damning comments about the United States of America, the West in general, and a lot of our friends and allies, not to mention countries in this region. It was the Iraqi regime and Saddam who went into Kuwait. So to think that that would not be going on I don't think is rational. But to know for sure right now is another matter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Now, Marty, the reason why the chairman was here was he was visiting Saudi Arabia, also Bahrain. He said it was a chance to meet with strategic partners.

I asked him if he talked about a possible war with Iraq. He said, no. I went on further to ask him he would hope that Saudi Arabia would allow the U.S. to use its territory as a launching pad for an attack against Iraq. He said they did not talk about those plans, but he does expect support in the future.

I went on further and asked him directly if indeed he believes the U.S. is going to war with Iraq. His answer plain and simple, he will deal with the present as he has to do, and he's prepared -- Marty.

SAVIDGE: Kyra Phillips, joining us from in the Persian Gulf region, with U.S. military forces, via the videophone. Thank you.

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




Against Iraq>