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Live From...

Pentagon Briefing

Aired June 27, 2005 - 13:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A surprise plea and a chilling account in the notorious BTK case. A short time ago Dennis Rader waived his right to a trial. He pleaded guilty to 10 counts of murder, then he discussed in detail how he committed those killings that terrorized the Wichita, Kansas area for nearly 20 years.
Just released for lack of evidence Stephen Croes walked out of an Aruba jail last hour, a week after being named a suspect in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

Also freed, the father of one of the three teenagers still being held in the case. Holloway vanished four weeks ago today.

Gratitude to Germany. Meeting at a white house -- at the White House rather just a short time ago, President Bush praised the German chancellor for his country's efforts in rebuilding Iraq. Both Germany and France oppose that war. Mr. Bush and Gerhard Schroeder also discussed Iran's elections and its nuclear ambitions.

Now to Iraq, as investigators search for clues in the crash of an Army Apache helicopter, two U.S. crew members aboard that helicopter died as it went down early this morning just northwest of Baghdad.

CNN's Jennifer Eccleston has the latest details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The U.S. military confirms two soldiers onboard the Army Apache attack helicopter which crashed northwest of Taji, an airbase 20 miles north of Baghdad, have died in that crash. The two were assigned to Task Force Baghdad. Now the cause of the crash of the AH-64 helicopter is still not known, and it is under investigation.

And it's another violent day in the capital for U.S. forces and Iraqi civilians. The U.S. military confirms a soldier was killed by small-arms fire today while investigating the scene of a burning vehicle, and several attacks in Baghdad left numerous people dead. A huge car bomb exploded a short while ago in the southeastern district of the city. It was targeting a U.S. military convoy, but the victims were all Iraqi civilians.

So far, four dead and 29 wounded. And earlier, a roadside bomb went off as a police convoy drove by a predominantly Sunni area of northern Baghdad. Two people died in that blast.

Also today, the Iraqi special tribunal released the video of the questioning of four former regime officials. Among them Tariq Aziz, the former deputy prime minister and former foreign minister. Before his attorney, he was questioned about what the tribunal called the events of 1991, and we believe that to be the suppression of the Shiite uprising following the Gulf War.

Also questioned, Sabir Al Aziz Al Adori (ph), he was the head of intelligence during the Iran/Iraq war. He was also the former Baghdad governor, and also Ali Hussein Al Majid, or as we know him, Chemical Ali was questioned again over his alleged role in the chemical weapons attacks against the Kurds in 1988.

Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, is two years more than enough time to get the job done? That's the estimate Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari put on establishing security in his own country. Al Jaafari is speaking today in London as he met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In an op-ed piece in today's "London Times," Al Jaafari also calls for a new martial plan to rebuild Iraq. It's been a full year since sovereignty was returned to Iraq following the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Once again, we want to remind you, we are waiting to hear from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, along with General George Casey. He's in charge of the multinational forces in Iraq. They will be briefing reporter there is at the Pentagon. We'll take it as soon as they step up to the podium.

More LIVE FROM right after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: News across America now, Georgia authorities are hunting this man, 24-year-old Corneillus Riban Zamites (ph) of Gainesville, Georgia. He's suspected in a case of kidnapping, molestation and murder. The victim, just four years old, was with her parents as they reportedly visited the suspects. Esmarelda Nava (ph) went missing late Saturday night. Her body was found just a short time later.

And the search continues today at Yellowstone National Park for a 13-year-old Boy Scout missing since Friday. Searchers say that tennis shoes believed to belong to Luke Sanburg were found about five miles from where he was swept into the fast-moving Yellowstone River.

And in Utah, high winds threaten to fan the flames of a wildfire that has already scorched an estimated 8,000 acres. The Blue Springs Fire just north of St. George, Utah was sparked by Saturday. In the latest estimate, firefighters say the blaze is about 30 percent contained.

We want to take you straight to the Pentagon now, where Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is at the podium. Let's listen in.

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECY. OF DEFENSE: ... as they sought to overcome an array of failures and obstacles. But they had the vision and the courage to persevere and establish the first enduring democracy the world had then known.

The people of Iraq today are in the early stages of their struggle to build a multi-ethnic democracy. Ultimately, it will be up to the Iraqi people, not the United States, not the coalition, to rebuild and secure their country.

The mission of our coalition is to create an environment where the Iraqis themselves can contain and ultimately defeat their insurgency.

Despite their long-neglected infrastructure and their lack of experience with democracy, the Iraqi people have demonstrated both the will and the capacity to succeed. They have oil, water, intelligent people, well-educated people, and a heritage of a great civilization that can be put to work to build a moderate Iraq version of a self- governing society.

The suggestion of those who say we are losing or that we're in a quagmire seems to be that as long as there's violence in Iraq that the conclusion must be that insurgents are winning. Not so.

Consider the changes of the past year. A democratically elected government is in place, and more than 8 million Iraqis went to the polls, defying intimidation at home and skepticism here in the United States, in their region and abroad.

RUMSFELD: The Sunni minority now has belatedly recognized that boycotting their election was a mistake and they're rejoining the political process. Insurgents remain capable of savage attacks, to be sure, but they can no longer take advantages of sanctuaries like Fallujah to train, plan and hold hostages.

Iraq's security forces have grown steadily in size and capability. They have equipment and experience they previously lacked and are earning the confidence and support of the Iraqi people.

Conversely, the violent extremists have had little to show for their efforts except a growing body count of mostly Iraqi civilians and a skillful knack for grabbing headlines: free publicity worth millions to their violent cause.

But despite their public affairs skills, they are not a nationalist movement. They don't have a vision. And they will eventually lose.

In his meeting with President Bush on Friday, Iraq's new prime minister thanked the American people for their patience and for their resolve.

The Iraqi leaders recognize that there's more work to be done and that the work is theirs to do. Their tasks include ensuring that there are no delays in drafting or voting on the new Iraqi constitution, strengthening the Iraqi ministries to improve their ability to provide needed services and to reduce coalition involvement, aggressively encouraging their neighbors to close their borders to terrorists, persuading Iraq's Sunnis to reject the insurgency and embrace the political process, and to work closely with their coalition allies to turn responsibility for more cities and provinces over to Iraqi security forces.

Success for the coalition should not be defined as domestic tranquility in Iraq. Other democracies have had to contend with terrorism and insurgencies for a number of years but they have been able to function and eventually succeed.

As in difficult conflicts of the past, lasting progress and achievements do not come from reacting to headlines or chasing mercurial opinion polls.

RUMSFELD: Setbacks are inevitable and important victories are seldom won without risk, sacrifice and patience.

Recently, the mood and commitment of the American people toward the efforts in Iraq have been the subject of discussion. Our American system places all of our faith and all of our hope in the people of our country. And the confidence that, given sufficient information over time, that they'll find their way to the right decisions.

I believe they will do so on Iraq.

And I also believe that one day those that have worked so hard and sacrificed so much -- Americans, our coalition partners and Iraqis alike -- will look back with pride and at what will then be seen as a historic accomplishment.

With me today is General George Casey, commanding general of the multi-national force in Iraq. We're fortunate to have men like General Casey and General Abizaid leading our superb men and women in uniform in what is clearly a difficult but critically important effort.

General Casey?

GENERAL GEORGE CASEY JR., COMMANDER, MULTINATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ: Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

As we approach tomorrow's one-year anniversary of sovereignty in Iraq, I continue to be inspired by the Iraqi people's courage and perseverance as they fight to build a better future for themselves and for their families.

In the past year, the Iraqis, supported by the coalition, have established an interim government, neutralized the Shia insurgency, eliminated terrorists and insurgent safe havens across Iraq, mobilized their security forces to confront the insurgency, increased the pace of economic development, conducted the first truly democratic elections in Iraq in decades, seated a democratically elected national assembly and peacefully passed control to the transitional government. The government has formed and aggressively continues the campaign against terrorists and insurgents while building inclusive political, governmental and constitutional processes.

The Iraqi people make progress every day. They are serious about their future. They are serious about building a government that respects the human rights of all Iraqis. And they are serious about defeating the terrorists and insurgents who are doing their utmost to derail their dreams.

CASEY: Now, we hear a lot about violence in Iraq, so I thought it might be useful to consider what the insurgents and terrorists have not done in the past year.

They have not been able to expand their support base across Iraq, nor have they attracted a broad following; largely because they offer no positive vision for the future of Iraq.

They have not prevented the growth of Iraqi security forces, even with almost daily attacks. They've lost their safe haven in Fallujah and they have not have been able to reconstitute another one.

They've also not sparked sectarian violence, although they work at it every day, so strong is the Iraqi commitment to something better.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, they have not stopped political and economic development in Iraq.

Iraq slowly gets better every day. Recent polls confirm that Iraqis are confident in their government and their security forces, are optimistic about the future, and intend to vote in large numbers in the upcoming constitutional referendum and December elections.

We are well positioned for continued success in Iraq. But we should be clear: There are long-term developmental challenges and much to be done. And Iraq's steady progress will be contested.

To be sure, the terrorists and insurgents are out to shake our will. But they will not succeed. The Iraqi people, enabled by the military and civilian members of the coalition, will succeed.

Now, if I might, a word to the families of the men and women of our armed forces and coalition serving in Iraq.

First, I could not be prouder of these magnificent men and women. It seems that every generation of Americans gets dealt a tough challenge to keep our country secure.

Every American can be proud of the tremendous job these soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines are doing in Iraq in perhaps the most challenging and demanding environment imaginable. They deserve our praise and our continued support.

Finally, I've been on the ground a year now. And, as I look back over the past year and look ahead to the next election, I am more convinced than ever that our mission there is both realistic and achievable.

It will require patience and will, but both the region and the United States will be more secure when Iraq succeeds.

Thank you.

QUESTION: Gentlemen, I'd like to ask, General Abizaid said before Congress last week that the number of foreign fighters who are the suicide bombers and the real mass killers -- the number coming into Iraq is increasing.

QUESTION: General Casey, can you and will you put enough U.S. troops along that border to try and seal it off?

And, Mr. Secretary, is the United States going to finally force Syria's hand here by telling them that if they don't shut it off on their side that that border will then be open to defensive movement by American troops?

CASEY: Let me take the first piece of that.

First of all, I think you've seen that we have already, with Iraqi security forces and Iraqi border forces, begun operations in the northwest to begin to disrupt the flow of foreign fighters and terrorists across that border in Syria. That's been going on for a period of time here. I think you're going to see that over time around the rest of the country.

But let's be clear. You talk about sealing borders; we can't even seal our own border here in the United States.

What we can do is make it very, very difficult for the foreign fighters and terrorists to come across into Iraq, and we're in the process of doing that right now.

RUMSFELD: The Iraqi government has a neighbor called Syria.

And Iraq is a big country. It's a wealthy country. It can be a powerful country over time. And they're going to be Syria's neighbor for a long time.

It seems to me it's up to Syria's neighbors, including Iraq, to interact with Syria in a way that helps them understand the damage they're doing to the region from an economic standpoint, from a political standpoint and from a security standpoint.

And certainly the president and our government has been involved in that process with them.

QUESTION: Briefly, it's American troops, including these troops in Fallujah last week, who are being killed by...

RUMSFELD: I said, the United States has been involved with them.

QUESTION: Well, you have been involved repeatedly for a long time. Are you finally going to tell Syria that it's either/or; "Either you shut this off or we come after these people across the border"?

RUMSFELD: Those are decisions that aren't made in the Department of Defense, as you know.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, back during the Vietnam War, the general in charge of the forces in North Vietnam, Defense Minister General Giap, once said that they have patience, Americans do not have patience.

You give a good message here, as does General Casey and other of the military brass, and yet there are attacks now almost hourly. We're briefed by generals here who say that they are increasing. They are using new weapons, shaped charges. And there is no lack, apparently, of people willing to give their lives for the jihad.

How do you intend to convince the American people to continue having patience with this loss of life that goes on continuously?

RUMSFELD: It seems to me that it's important to understand that since September 11th we've been engaged in a struggle; some call it a war. It is a war in many respects. It's also a struggle within a religion. And it is a difficult one.

There are violent extremists that are determined to topple governments in various parts of the world, many of them hoping to reestablish a caliphate. And their weapon of choice is terrorism. And those people are engaged in violent extremist acts. They were on September 11th in this country, they have been in dozens of other countries.

And what's taking place in Iraq is a part of this global struggle between moderate Muslims and between violent extremists.

It is hard, I understand, for people to connect all of the pieces, but the reality is, we're an awful lot better off fighting against the extremists and the terrorists in other parts of the world than having to do it here at home.

And anyone who thinks about this understands that if you go into a defensive mode and simply think you can play defense against a terrorist that has the enormous advantage of being able to attack at any time, at any place, using any technique, and particularly if you're willing to give up your own life, you can't defend in every place against every technique at every moment of the day or night.

RUMSFELD: And therefore you have no choice but to be on the offense against these people. And that is, in fact, what's taking place in Iraq.

And I don't doubt for a minute but that the American people remember September 11th well and that they understand that what's taking place is a global struggle against people who are determined to destroy our way of life, as they have announced and indicated and publicly indicated. CASEY: Just a piece of that, and I've encountered this in several different forms, but there appears to be a perception that today, and in fact over the last two months, that the violence is out of control, that it far exceeds any levels that we've seen before. And that's just not the case.

In fact, over the last seven weeks, we've ranged between 450 and 500 attacks over the course of a week. In August in Najaf, in November around Ramadan in Fallujah and for the elections, they were 700, 800, 900 attacks over the course of a week.

What you are seeing different is the car bomb attacks and the suicide car bomb attacks against innocent civilians. It's strictly a weapon of terror.

Second point that I'd just make here is that the people that are conducting these attacks by even our most pessimistic estimates of the insurgency are less than 0.1 percent of the population of Iraq, supported by foreign fighters. So you have a very, very small portion of the population trying to stop the rest of the Iraqi population from achieving their goals.

QUESTION: General Casey, what's your view of statements like the one Senator Kennedy made that seem to suggest that the United States has already lost in Iraq and should pull out as quickly as possible to avoid any unnecessary further American casualties? What effect do statements like that have on the troops and the difficulty of the job they have to do?

CASEY: I think I responded to Senator Kennedy's comments about quagmire at the hearing. Obviously I don't agree with the statement that the United States is losing in Iraq nor that we are getting into a quagmire.

I'm sorry, second part?

QUESTION: What impact do such statements have on the troops and the difficulty of the job they have to do?

CASEY: I went around to visit all the division commanders just prior to coming back and asked them, one, how's the situation? How are things going? And to a person, they all responded that this is moving in the right direction in their areas.

CASEY: And I asked them did they have enough troops to do what they needed to do. And to a person, they all said they had what they needed to get the job done.

So we're, kind of, scratching our heads and the troops are, kind of, scratching their heads, wondering why there is such a large disconnect between what they are seeing on the ground every day and statements like that back here, because they're just not connected.

QUESTION: General Casey, when you talk about, in particular, the number of attacks -- and you've talked about this over the weekend and Friday, as well -- and, again, you compare it to August in Najaf or Fallujah in November when the attacks were different -- we were engaged in combat, particularly, in Fallujah -- it seems you can take these numbers of attacks and compare it in many different ways. And we may compare it to two months ago when it's high.

So tell us this: What do you look at when you look for a secure Iraq?

And as you say, Secretary Rumsfeld, you can't look for complete tranquility.

But what is the measure of success in bringing the security situation under control?

Surely, you look at the number of attacks as well. What do you measure? What's a reasonable amount? The death toll is certainly higher in the last couple of months, even if the number of attacks are down.

CASEY: Higher than what? Compared to the previous levels we saw?

QUESTION: But that's exactly what I'm saying. You can look at these any number of ways, so what's a reasonable number?

CASEY: I think that's a great question, because we ought not all get focused just on the attacks as a measure of success in Iraq. In fact, we have been developing counterinsurgency metrics where we look at a range of different variables.

For example, tips: Are the people coming forward and giving information that helps us and our Iraqi security force counterparts deal with the insurgency?

Political development and inclusion: Is the political process still going forward? Are people still being brought into the political process? Do they want to be brought into the political process?

And there's economic development indicators as well.

So there's a range of things that must be looked at so we can get some sense of how we're really doing.

And I will tell you, we just completed a six-month assessment; my staff did. This is the second one that we've done. And we went through all of the different lines of operations.

CASEY: And the conclusion of the staff was that we remain broadly on track to accomplish our strategic objectives.

(CROSSTALK)

RUMSFELD: Wait a minute. There's too much yelling.

(CROSSTALK)

RUMSFELD: Wait a minute. We're not going to go that way. There's too much yelling...

QUESTION: I'm not yelling.

RUMSFELD: And not enough hands.

QUESTION: I wouldn't yell.

QUESTION: General Casey, to follow up on that, what are the signs of progress you need to see, though, in the next year or whatever, in terms of number of operationally effective battalions, command and control structure, equipment and sustainment forces, tanks, helicopters, whatever, that will allow you to recommend a significant drawdown of U.S. troops?

CASEY: The most significant thing that I need to see in the next year is the progress of this political process in Iraq. That will do more than anything we will do militarily to draw people away from the insurgency.

Now to the gist of your question there with Iraqi security forces. In January, 1st of January this year, there were no Iraqi divisions. The divisions weren't constituted until the 6th of January.

It wasn't until the 1st of March that those Iraqi divisions were actually assigned pieces of Iraq that they were responsible for. And it's also at that time that they were partnered with our divisions so that we could begin additional training support.

It wasn't until the 1st of May where we were able to build a training and readiness metric, much like our own status report here, to measure the capabilities of the Iraqi forces holistically: personnel, readiness, leadership, training, the whole bit, just like we do that. So we just got our base-line assessment here the 1st of June. But we're starting to see, and they are starting to be able to project when they may be capable of assuming battle space.

(CROSSTALK)

RUMSFELD: We'll call on people. Why don't we try and do this in...

PHILLIPS: We'll continue to follow the Pentagon briefing there with George Casey -- General George Casey, the head of the Multinational Forces in Iraq, and of course, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

We've got a lot more things to tell you about today, as the second hour of LIVE FROM begins right now.

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