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Winning Peace in Iraq
Aired May 15, 2003 - 13:13 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: Now to Iraq and the intensified effort to respond to complaints that the U.S. won the war, but may be losing the peace.
CNN's John Vause standing by now in Baghdad with the latest from there -- John.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra.
Well, Paul Bremer has been in country since Monday. He says he spent the last few days talking with the Iraqis here, and he does concede that security remains the No. 1 problem here. But he does say this is not a country in anarchy. People are going about their business, they are going about their daily lives, but he does admit that little can be achieved until people can safely walk the streets.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL BREMER, IRAQI CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATOR: We have to deal with the criminal elements here in Baghdad, and we will. And as far as I'm concerned, it cannot come too soon that the people of Baghdad, and the other cities of Iraq, can walk about the streets in peace, the children can go to school, the hospitals can get their supplies. It can't come too soon, and you may be sure that it is the top priority, not only of myself but also of General McKiernan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Now, in the coming days, Mr. Bremer says you'll see thousands more U.S. soldiers patrolling the streets, and they'll be working with thousands of Iraqi policemen.
Now, as far as the rules of engagement goes, Mr. Bremer says that U.S. soldiers will not be shooting looters. Instead, they'll be locked up. He says there are now two courts up and running to deal with anyone who breaks the law.
Now, he also wants to go after the remaining Baath Party officials. He says in the coming days he'll announce plans to aggressively target any Baath Party officials who may still be in any positions of authority.
And as far as Baghdad's power problems go, he says tomorrow a team will arrive to deal specifically with that problem. Right now, the city is getting about 40 to 60 percent of the power it needs. In the north and the south, he says, the problem is fine, but here in Baghdad electricity is a major concern. There is no electricity in some parts. They can't run streets lights, and that produces crime. And without the electricity, water pumping plants can't work properly. And even in hospitals, without electricity the medical equipment can't work.
So, Mr. Bremer very visible, outlining his plan for the next few weeks, much more aggressive (UNINTELLIGIBLE) as compared to Jay Garner, the civil administrator who he's replacing -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, live from Baghdad, John Vause. 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.
Aired May 15, 2003 - 13:13 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now to Iraq and the intensified effort to respond to complaints that the U.S. won the war, but may be losing the peace.
CNN's John Vause standing by now in Baghdad with the latest from there -- John.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra.
Well, Paul Bremer has been in country since Monday. He says he spent the last few days talking with the Iraqis here, and he does concede that security remains the No. 1 problem here. But he does say this is not a country in anarchy. People are going about their business, they are going about their daily lives, but he does admit that little can be achieved until people can safely walk the streets.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL BREMER, IRAQI CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATOR: We have to deal with the criminal elements here in Baghdad, and we will. And as far as I'm concerned, it cannot come too soon that the people of Baghdad, and the other cities of Iraq, can walk about the streets in peace, the children can go to school, the hospitals can get their supplies. It can't come too soon, and you may be sure that it is the top priority, not only of myself but also of General McKiernan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Now, in the coming days, Mr. Bremer says you'll see thousands more U.S. soldiers patrolling the streets, and they'll be working with thousands of Iraqi policemen.
Now, as far as the rules of engagement goes, Mr. Bremer says that U.S. soldiers will not be shooting looters. Instead, they'll be locked up. He says there are now two courts up and running to deal with anyone who breaks the law.
Now, he also wants to go after the remaining Baath Party officials. He says in the coming days he'll announce plans to aggressively target any Baath Party officials who may still be in any positions of authority.
And as far as Baghdad's power problems go, he says tomorrow a team will arrive to deal specifically with that problem. Right now, the city is getting about 40 to 60 percent of the power it needs. In the north and the south, he says, the problem is fine, but here in Baghdad electricity is a major concern. There is no electricity in some parts. They can't run streets lights, and that produces crime. And without the electricity, water pumping plants can't work properly. And even in hospitals, without electricity the medical equipment can't work.
So, Mr. Bremer very visible, outlining his plan for the next few weeks, much more aggressive (UNINTELLIGIBLE) as compared to Jay Garner, the civil administrator who he's replacing -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, live from Baghdad, John Vause. 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.
