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Pentagon Will Seek Assistance From Allies in Policing Iraq

Aired April 11, 2003 - 15:20   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.


CANDY CROWLEY, CNN ANCHOR: We want to bring you back now to Washington and go straight to the Pentagon where CNN's Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr I am told has some news for us about how the U.S. does plan to bring some law and order to Iraqi streets -- Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Candy. At the Pentagon briefing which wrapped up here just about an hour ago Defense Secretary Rumsfeld began at expressing his dismay at the news media showing what he called these repeated pictures of some incidents of looting across Baghdad.

But then the secretary did go on to say that the military was going to try and do what it could. And indeed he did mention that the U.S. military is now providing security at one Baghdad hospital.

But CNN has learned that there is a plan now to go much further. Earlier today the Pentagon approved a plan. The U.S. military will begin talking to other nations and ask them to provide security and policing forces for Iraq.

Now these will not be military combat units unless they wish to join the coalition, of course. Sources are making it very clear what they are asking other countries to do is provide policing-type forces that can provide security and stabilization across Iraq's cities as everyone tries to get this situation under control. So now these meetings are beginning.

Officials say this was always part of the plan, but they couldn't start to until most of the combat was over. They really could not approach these countries because they don't want combat forces from them now. They want police forces -- Candy.

CROWLEY: Thanks, Barbara. Timing is everything.

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




Iraq>


Aired April 11, 2003 - 15:20   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN ANCHOR: We want to bring you back now to Washington and go straight to the Pentagon where CNN's Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr I am told has some news for us about how the U.S. does plan to bring some law and order to Iraqi streets -- Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Candy. At the Pentagon briefing which wrapped up here just about an hour ago Defense Secretary Rumsfeld began at expressing his dismay at the news media showing what he called these repeated pictures of some incidents of looting across Baghdad.

But then the secretary did go on to say that the military was going to try and do what it could. And indeed he did mention that the U.S. military is now providing security at one Baghdad hospital.

But CNN has learned that there is a plan now to go much further. Earlier today the Pentagon approved a plan. The U.S. military will begin talking to other nations and ask them to provide security and policing forces for Iraq.

Now these will not be military combat units unless they wish to join the coalition, of course. Sources are making it very clear what they are asking other countries to do is provide policing-type forces that can provide security and stabilization across Iraq's cities as everyone tries to get this situation under control. So now these meetings are beginning.

Officials say this was always part of the plan, but they couldn't start to until most of the combat was over. They really could not approach these countries because they don't want combat forces from them now. They want police forces -- Candy.

CROWLEY: Thanks, Barbara. Timing is everything.

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




Iraq>