Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Unrelated Prisoner Release Confused Waiting Families

Aired January 08, 2004 - 13:01   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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: So far at least, the Iraqi prisoner release that U.S. officials were hoping would generate some peace and goodwill is having exactly the opposite effect.
CNN's Satinder Bindra live now from Baghdad with more on all of that.

Hello, Satinder.

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles.

This so-called release is creating a lot of emotional turmoil and some confusion. This morning, hundreds of Iraqi families started gathered outside Baghdad's Abu Garab (ph) Prison (ph). This of course after the U.S. administrator here, Mr. Paul Bremer, had announced. he would release 100 Iraqi detainees to date. Now these families had to wait a long time at the prison this morning. Some were beginning to get angry and frustrated.

And then at 3:30, two trucks carrying detainees pulled out of the Abu Garab Prison. There a lot of joy. There was wild clapping and cheering. And I saw dozens of Iraqis literally dive into their cars and chase after these trucks. A few miles down the road, there were teary reunions. There was a lot of emotional hugging and kissing going on.

Now, these detainees telling me, that they'd been in prison for several months. They thought they were part of the Paul Bremer release program. But later, coalition officials saying this was just a -- quote -- "routine release." But they do say that the Paul Bremer release program is on track, and they expect 100 Iraqis to be released very shortly.

Back to you, Miles.

O'BRIEN: Satinder Bindra in Baghdad, thank you very 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






Aired January 8, 2004 - 13:01   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: So far at least, the Iraqi prisoner release that U.S. officials were hoping would generate some peace and goodwill is having exactly the opposite effect.
CNN's Satinder Bindra live now from Baghdad with more on all of that.

Hello, Satinder.

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles.

This so-called release is creating a lot of emotional turmoil and some confusion. This morning, hundreds of Iraqi families started gathered outside Baghdad's Abu Garab (ph) Prison (ph). This of course after the U.S. administrator here, Mr. Paul Bremer, had announced. he would release 100 Iraqi detainees to date. Now these families had to wait a long time at the prison this morning. Some were beginning to get angry and frustrated.

And then at 3:30, two trucks carrying detainees pulled out of the Abu Garab Prison. There a lot of joy. There was wild clapping and cheering. And I saw dozens of Iraqis literally dive into their cars and chase after these trucks. A few miles down the road, there were teary reunions. There was a lot of emotional hugging and kissing going on.

Now, these detainees telling me, that they'd been in prison for several months. They thought they were part of the Paul Bremer release program. But later, coalition officials saying this was just a -- quote -- "routine release." But they do say that the Paul Bremer release program is on track, and they expect 100 Iraqis to be released very shortly.

Back to you, Miles.

O'BRIEN: Satinder Bindra in Baghdad, thank you very 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