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American Morning

U.S. Forces Getting Ready for War

Aired February 18, 2003 - 08:00   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.


PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to go straight to the Persian Gulf, where U.S. forces are getting ready for war.
Let's check in with Bill Hemmer, who's reporting live from Kuwait City -- good morning, Bill.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, Paula.

I had a very interesting conversation earlier today with General David McKiernan. He is the highest ranking member of the U.S. military in Kuwait. Basically, he is the man in charge. He says, yes, technology has given the U.S. military incredible advantages over the years, especially when you compare it to the Persian Gulf War of 1991.

They can see the enemy better, they say. They see the battle field better. But he insists that individuals right now still win battles. And the other thing to keep in mind right now, if there is war with Iraq, not only is the U.S. military going in there to fight and engage the Iraqis, but they will also be going there in the hunt for weapons of mass destruction. The general tells us the mission here in the Persian Gulf will not be complete until those weapons are found.

Also, 100,000 troops strong here in Kuwait alone on the ground, the first time we have ever topped out at that number.

More in a moment, Paula -- back to you now in New York.

ZAHN: Thanks, Bill.

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 February 18, 2003 - 08:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to go straight to the Persian Gulf, where U.S. forces are getting ready for war.
Let's check in with Bill Hemmer, who's reporting live from Kuwait City -- good morning, Bill.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, Paula.

I had a very interesting conversation earlier today with General David McKiernan. He is the highest ranking member of the U.S. military in Kuwait. Basically, he is the man in charge. He says, yes, technology has given the U.S. military incredible advantages over the years, especially when you compare it to the Persian Gulf War of 1991.

They can see the enemy better, they say. They see the battle field better. But he insists that individuals right now still win battles. And the other thing to keep in mind right now, if there is war with Iraq, not only is the U.S. military going in there to fight and engage the Iraqis, but they will also be going there in the hunt for weapons of mass destruction. The general tells us the mission here in the Persian Gulf will not be complete until those weapons are found.

Also, 100,000 troops strong here in Kuwait alone on the ground, the first time we have ever topped out at that number.

More in a moment, Paula -- back to you now in New York.

ZAHN: Thanks, Bill.

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