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American Morning
Leaders of Iraqi Opposition Groups Meeting Today for Second Straight Day
Aired February 27, 2003 - 07:25 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: For the first time since the Gulf War, leaders of Iraqi opposition groups are meeting today for a second straight day in northern Iraq. The meetings come just as Turkey announced a deal with the U.S. that could mean Turkish troops would enter Iraq from the north if there is a war against Baghdad.
Brent Sadler is actually in the region, a rare place for a reporter to be.
He joins us now from Irbil this morning -- good morning, Brent.
BRENT SADLER, NBC CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Paula.
Indeed, this is an area of northern Iraq not under control of the Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein. And what's really important about this two day meeting so far of these Iraqi opposition groups inside and outside Iraq is that it's taking place not very far away from here, in this area beyond the reach of Saddam Hussein.
Now, this meeting has a number of concerns, not least amongst the Kurds, whose area here has been more or less under their control for the past 12 years, since the end of the last Gulf War. And the Kurds are very concerned, if not outraged, that the prospect of tens of thousands of Turkish troops coming in here arm in arm with the Americans could jeopardize hard fought for Kurdish independence, as they kind of call it, although, of course, they don't want to strike for any independence, they say, under any war scenario here.
The Turks, of course, concerned that could happen. That's why as part of a deal with the U.S., the Turks want to have their soldiers with a foot on the ground here.
Also of great concern here amongst the various opposition groups who have differing political and ideological agendas is the issue of this planned U.S. military government after any conflict which topples Saddam Hussein. The opposition groups are determined to have a say in it and they're very concerned that they may be bypassed by current U.S. planning.
Interesting to see on the ground here a three star U.S. general taking part in these gatherings. Also, Washington's envoy, special envoy here, Zalmay Khalilzad, taking part in this conference and really trying to smooth over the many differences between the ideas that the U.S. administration has and that the various opposition groups have -- Paula.
ZAHN: Are these people pretty much assuming there will be a war, Brent?
SADLER: That's been the planning here, Paula, for some months now. There are people here who've been planning a post-war federal Iraq for many, many months. Many Kurdish figures here, from both political parties, have been traveling to Europe and the United States really making sure that they have a stake on the table if there is conflict and if Saddam Hussein is forced, to quote President Bush, "go away."
So, yes, indeed, there is still an expectation of conflict -- Paula.
ZAHN: Brent Sadler, thank you for that report from northern Iraq.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Second Straight Day>
Aired February 27, 2003 - 07:25 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: For the first time since the Gulf War, leaders of Iraqi opposition groups are meeting today for a second straight day in northern Iraq. The meetings come just as Turkey announced a deal with the U.S. that could mean Turkish troops would enter Iraq from the north if there is a war against Baghdad.
Brent Sadler is actually in the region, a rare place for a reporter to be.
He joins us now from Irbil this morning -- good morning, Brent.
BRENT SADLER, NBC CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Paula.
Indeed, this is an area of northern Iraq not under control of the Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein. And what's really important about this two day meeting so far of these Iraqi opposition groups inside and outside Iraq is that it's taking place not very far away from here, in this area beyond the reach of Saddam Hussein.
Now, this meeting has a number of concerns, not least amongst the Kurds, whose area here has been more or less under their control for the past 12 years, since the end of the last Gulf War. And the Kurds are very concerned, if not outraged, that the prospect of tens of thousands of Turkish troops coming in here arm in arm with the Americans could jeopardize hard fought for Kurdish independence, as they kind of call it, although, of course, they don't want to strike for any independence, they say, under any war scenario here.
The Turks, of course, concerned that could happen. That's why as part of a deal with the U.S., the Turks want to have their soldiers with a foot on the ground here.
Also of great concern here amongst the various opposition groups who have differing political and ideological agendas is the issue of this planned U.S. military government after any conflict which topples Saddam Hussein. The opposition groups are determined to have a say in it and they're very concerned that they may be bypassed by current U.S. planning.
Interesting to see on the ground here a three star U.S. general taking part in these gatherings. Also, Washington's envoy, special envoy here, Zalmay Khalilzad, taking part in this conference and really trying to smooth over the many differences between the ideas that the U.S. administration has and that the various opposition groups have -- Paula.
ZAHN: Are these people pretty much assuming there will be a war, Brent?
SADLER: That's been the planning here, Paula, for some months now. There are people here who've been planning a post-war federal Iraq for many, many months. Many Kurdish figures here, from both political parties, have been traveling to Europe and the United States really making sure that they have a stake on the table if there is conflict and if Saddam Hussein is forced, to quote President Bush, "go away."
So, yes, indeed, there is still an expectation of conflict -- Paula.
ZAHN: Brent Sadler, thank you for that report from northern Iraq.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Second Straight Day>
