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Qatar Could Play Instrumental Role in U.S.-Led Iraq Strike

Aired December 06, 2002 - 14:32   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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The Gulf nation of Qatar would play a significant role if any U.S. attack happened against Iraq. This weekend, British and American military are gearing up for war games in the nation. But there's worry that Qatar's ties with the U.S. could make it a target of Muslim extremist groups like al Qaeda.
CNN's Wolf Blitzer is live in Doha, Qatar with more.

Hi, Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

The general who will be commanding those war games, General Tommy Franks arrived here in Doha just a little while ago -- a few hours ago following a 15-hour flight from McDill Air Force base in Tampa, Florida, where the central command is normally headquartered.

He arrived here with some members of his key planning staff. They're getting ready for this war game -- this exercise that's scheduled to begin on Monday, but with their arrival come potentially some serious problems.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): For the small Persian Gulf emirate, there are benefits and risk beings to hosting the United States military.

The major benefit: the people of Qatar have the protection of the world's only super power. That's nothing to sneeze at given the dangers of this neighborhood, including Iraq and Iran.

But there are also clear risks. First and foremost: terrorism.

(on camera): Osama bin Laden began to direct his brand of terrorism against his native Saudi Arabia after the first Gulf War inflamed by the presence of U.S. military forces on holy Saudi soil.

With the arrival of the U.S. military's central command in Qatar, there's now fear al Qaeda will direct its attention here.

ROB SOBHANI, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: There's no doubt that al Qaeda will try to do its best to harm U.S. interests in Qatar, but Qatar's security is very, very good. The Qataris have a very tight border. The only way to enter into the country really is by air other than the border with Saudi Arabia.

So, I think all in all, Qatar will be a safe place for American interests.

BLITZER (voice-over): U.S. troops are stationed at two huge bases in Qatar, the Asali (ph) Complex, where U.S. Central Command's General Tommy Franks will lead a simulated war game in the coming days; and the El Udayid (ph) Air Base, which boasts the longest runway in the region.

The approximately 4,000 Americans here are taking a very low profile, sensitive to Qatar's fears.

It's almost impossible to get anywhere near those bases without high-level authorization, a direct legacy of the suicide truck bombing that killed 241 U.S. troops outside Beirut in 1983.

Locals certainly recognize the dangers, but generally appear to support the presence of U.S. troops.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is up for the government and not for people. We are not afraid of these peoples here.

BLITZER: till, security throughout the country is understandably tight.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Now, we're told that General Franks will spend the weekend meeting formally with all of his top advisers, gearing up for the start of that war game on Monday over at the Asalia Military Base (ph) not far from where we are right now. The security, as I pointed out, is incredibly tight -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: I can just imagine.

Wolf Blitzer, thank you so much.

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




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Aired December 6, 2002 - 14:32   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The Gulf nation of Qatar would play a significant role if any U.S. attack happened against Iraq. This weekend, British and American military are gearing up for war games in the nation. But there's worry that Qatar's ties with the U.S. could make it a target of Muslim extremist groups like al Qaeda.
CNN's Wolf Blitzer is live in Doha, Qatar with more.

Hi, Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

The general who will be commanding those war games, General Tommy Franks arrived here in Doha just a little while ago -- a few hours ago following a 15-hour flight from McDill Air Force base in Tampa, Florida, where the central command is normally headquartered.

He arrived here with some members of his key planning staff. They're getting ready for this war game -- this exercise that's scheduled to begin on Monday, but with their arrival come potentially some serious problems.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): For the small Persian Gulf emirate, there are benefits and risk beings to hosting the United States military.

The major benefit: the people of Qatar have the protection of the world's only super power. That's nothing to sneeze at given the dangers of this neighborhood, including Iraq and Iran.

But there are also clear risks. First and foremost: terrorism.

(on camera): Osama bin Laden began to direct his brand of terrorism against his native Saudi Arabia after the first Gulf War inflamed by the presence of U.S. military forces on holy Saudi soil.

With the arrival of the U.S. military's central command in Qatar, there's now fear al Qaeda will direct its attention here.

ROB SOBHANI, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY: There's no doubt that al Qaeda will try to do its best to harm U.S. interests in Qatar, but Qatar's security is very, very good. The Qataris have a very tight border. The only way to enter into the country really is by air other than the border with Saudi Arabia.

So, I think all in all, Qatar will be a safe place for American interests.

BLITZER (voice-over): U.S. troops are stationed at two huge bases in Qatar, the Asali (ph) Complex, where U.S. Central Command's General Tommy Franks will lead a simulated war game in the coming days; and the El Udayid (ph) Air Base, which boasts the longest runway in the region.

The approximately 4,000 Americans here are taking a very low profile, sensitive to Qatar's fears.

It's almost impossible to get anywhere near those bases without high-level authorization, a direct legacy of the suicide truck bombing that killed 241 U.S. troops outside Beirut in 1983.

Locals certainly recognize the dangers, but generally appear to support the presence of U.S. troops.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is up for the government and not for people. We are not afraid of these peoples here.

BLITZER: till, security throughout the country is understandably tight.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Now, we're told that General Franks will spend the weekend meeting formally with all of his top advisers, gearing up for the start of that war game on Monday over at the Asalia Military Base (ph) not far from where we are right now. The security, as I pointed out, is incredibly tight -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: I can just imagine.

Wolf Blitzer, thank you so much.

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




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