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U.S. Troops, British Warships Get Into Position In Persian Gulf

Aired January 07, 2003 - 14:11   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: "We'll keep flowing forces," says the defense secretary, as thousands of U.S. troops head for the Persian Gulf and possibly war with Iraq. Britain sends more warships to the Gulf and calls up 1,500 reservists. And General Tommy Franks comes to Washington to plan strategy.
Barbara Starr is our correspondent at the Pentagon -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra.

Yes, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had his first press conference of the New Year earlier today, and still Iraq was topic No. 1. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld offering some very specific thoughts on the possibility of war, and what he would like to see Saddam Hussein do.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: The first choice would be that Saddam Hussein would pick up and leave the country tonight. That would be nice for everybody. Or he'd decide suddenly to turn over a new leaf and cooperate with the U.N. and disgorge all of his capabilities. These are terribly dangerous weapons -- chemical weapons and biological weapons.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Now, the secretary emphasized that in his belief war is not inevitable, even though the Pentagon is continuing to send large numbers of military forces to the Persian Gulf. He emphasized that President Bush has not yet made a final decision about whether or not to go to war. He said that would be a last choice, not a first choice.

He also said that even though to everyone's best sense, the U.N. weapons inspectors have not yet found any stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons, it is his view that Iraq retains that capability.

And finally, the secretary took a number of questions about the discussion now centering on Capitol Hill about whether or not to reinstate the military draft, something that was abandoned after the Vietnam War. The secretary indicating that he has absolutely no interest in reinstating the draft. He said that basically in this economy, in today's world, it is no longer really feasible to compel people to serve in the armed forces when so many people are serving and making a career of it -- Kyra. PHILLIPS: Barbara, kind of turning the corner, the incoming commandant of the Marine Corps. What's this controversy over his awards and his ribbons?

STARR: Well, I have to tell you, within the last hour, a very potentially peculiar story has erupted here at the Pentagon. Lieutenant General Michael Hagee is said to be sworn in as the new commandant of the Marine Corps on Monday. But in about half an hour, General Hagee will suddenly have a press conference, meeting with reporters to discuss a brewing controversy about the medals and awards that he has been wearing on his uniform for the last several years, some of them dating back to his service in Vietnam and his service in Somalia, we are told.

Apparently, there are several medals for which General Hagee has now learned he either did not have the proper documentation, or he was inadvertently wearing the wrong medal. There is no indication of specific wrongdoing, and in fact, the whole issue of medals is a very complex one. The requirements often change. The paperwork can easily get lost. These things are sort of shrouded in the mist.

But this is very controversial. General Hagee is meeting with reporters, but he's not going to allow any television cameras in.

I must tell you finally, we asked someone if this controversy is now at the point where General Hagee's swearing-in on Monday may be in jeopardy, and a senior military official said, you tell us; it's going to depend on how the news coverage goes.

So, we'll have to see how this all sorts out.

PHILLIPS: All right, our Barbara Starr live from the Pentagon.

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




Gulf>


Aired January 7, 2003 - 14:11   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: "We'll keep flowing forces," says the defense secretary, as thousands of U.S. troops head for the Persian Gulf and possibly war with Iraq. Britain sends more warships to the Gulf and calls up 1,500 reservists. And General Tommy Franks comes to Washington to plan strategy.
Barbara Starr is our correspondent at the Pentagon -- Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra.

Yes, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had his first press conference of the New Year earlier today, and still Iraq was topic No. 1. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld offering some very specific thoughts on the possibility of war, and what he would like to see Saddam Hussein do.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: The first choice would be that Saddam Hussein would pick up and leave the country tonight. That would be nice for everybody. Or he'd decide suddenly to turn over a new leaf and cooperate with the U.N. and disgorge all of his capabilities. These are terribly dangerous weapons -- chemical weapons and biological weapons.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Now, the secretary emphasized that in his belief war is not inevitable, even though the Pentagon is continuing to send large numbers of military forces to the Persian Gulf. He emphasized that President Bush has not yet made a final decision about whether or not to go to war. He said that would be a last choice, not a first choice.

He also said that even though to everyone's best sense, the U.N. weapons inspectors have not yet found any stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons, it is his view that Iraq retains that capability.

And finally, the secretary took a number of questions about the discussion now centering on Capitol Hill about whether or not to reinstate the military draft, something that was abandoned after the Vietnam War. The secretary indicating that he has absolutely no interest in reinstating the draft. He said that basically in this economy, in today's world, it is no longer really feasible to compel people to serve in the armed forces when so many people are serving and making a career of it -- Kyra. PHILLIPS: Barbara, kind of turning the corner, the incoming commandant of the Marine Corps. What's this controversy over his awards and his ribbons?

STARR: Well, I have to tell you, within the last hour, a very potentially peculiar story has erupted here at the Pentagon. Lieutenant General Michael Hagee is said to be sworn in as the new commandant of the Marine Corps on Monday. But in about half an hour, General Hagee will suddenly have a press conference, meeting with reporters to discuss a brewing controversy about the medals and awards that he has been wearing on his uniform for the last several years, some of them dating back to his service in Vietnam and his service in Somalia, we are told.

Apparently, there are several medals for which General Hagee has now learned he either did not have the proper documentation, or he was inadvertently wearing the wrong medal. There is no indication of specific wrongdoing, and in fact, the whole issue of medals is a very complex one. The requirements often change. The paperwork can easily get lost. These things are sort of shrouded in the mist.

But this is very controversial. General Hagee is meeting with reporters, but he's not going to allow any television cameras in.

I must tell you finally, we asked someone if this controversy is now at the point where General Hagee's swearing-in on Monday may be in jeopardy, and a senior military official said, you tell us; it's going to depend on how the news coverage goes.

So, we'll have to see how this all sorts out.

PHILLIPS: All right, our Barbara Starr live from the Pentagon.

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




Gulf>