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Major Changes for People in Oil Towns of Southern Iraq

Aired April 04, 2003 - 15:56   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.


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The oilfields in the oil towns of southern Iraq are now under control of British troops, and that means some major changes for the people of the area. But they appear to be adjusting well, as Greg Milam reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GREG MILAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's 15 years since the call to prayer has echoed down these streets. When the Ba'ath Party took control here, locals say they outlawed religion. The coalition forces in the southern oilfields say they want to give that freedom back to these people.

(on camera): Although the call to prayer has begun again, there's no mosque in this town. People are unwilling to gather in large groups to pray because it's open defiance to the regime in Baghdad. They still believe it will be some time before they'll feel free enough to do that.

(voice-over): Slowly, that fear is being released. The school has reopened, pro-Saddam slogans are being painted out. Everyone wants to know what's happening elsewhere in Iraq, to the regime in Baghdad.

LT. COL. TIM COLLINS, ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT: We have been here just one week. Since liberating this town, we've seen fear disappear. They've handed in over 200 weapons, and the light and the water have come on again. But the substantial changes, first of all, have been school has begun again. The children are back at school and learning. And today, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the worship has begun.

MILAM: Trade is beginning to return to normal. The town barber has never known such good business, with so many visitors. For 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, it's about letting people do it for themselves.

MAJ. ANDREW CULLEN, ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT: We're here to help them. We cannot play god almighty and we cannot enforce our own societal values upon them. And so the way in which we see our job is to facilitate their rebuilding of their community.

MILAM: One local described the area around the oilfields as the pumping heart of Iraq. The survival of this country depends on. Greg Milam, southern Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE) JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Look at freedom of religion.

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 April 4, 2003 - 15:56   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The oilfields in the oil towns of southern Iraq are now under control of British troops, and that means some major changes for the people of the area. But they appear to be adjusting well, as Greg Milam reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GREG MILAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's 15 years since the call to prayer has echoed down these streets. When the Ba'ath Party took control here, locals say they outlawed religion. The coalition forces in the southern oilfields say they want to give that freedom back to these people.

(on camera): Although the call to prayer has begun again, there's no mosque in this town. People are unwilling to gather in large groups to pray because it's open defiance to the regime in Baghdad. They still believe it will be some time before they'll feel free enough to do that.

(voice-over): Slowly, that fear is being released. The school has reopened, pro-Saddam slogans are being painted out. Everyone wants to know what's happening elsewhere in Iraq, to the regime in Baghdad.

LT. COL. TIM COLLINS, ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT: We have been here just one week. Since liberating this town, we've seen fear disappear. They've handed in over 200 weapons, and the light and the water have come on again. But the substantial changes, first of all, have been school has begun again. The children are back at school and learning. And today, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the worship has begun.

MILAM: Trade is beginning to return to normal. The town barber has never known such good business, with so many visitors. For 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, it's about letting people do it for themselves.

MAJ. ANDREW CULLEN, ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT: We're here to help them. We cannot play god almighty and we cannot enforce our own societal values upon them. And so the way in which we see our job is to facilitate their rebuilding of their community.

MILAM: One local described the area around the oilfields as the pumping heart of Iraq. The survival of this country depends on. Greg Milam, southern Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE) JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Look at freedom of religion.

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