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American Morning

Pentagon Says It's Ready for War

Aired March 06, 2003 - 08:34   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: Intense diplomatic efforts underway, ahead of a critical U.N. vote, possibly next week, and the Pentagon reports it is ready for war with Iraq if ordered to go.
Suzanne Malveaux standing by at the White House.

Good morning, Suzanne.

First off, can you tell us what you've learned about the meeting that took place between President Bush yesterday with his military planners?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It was an extremely important meeting, Paula. It happened in a situation room, and the president basically briefed by his military planners, and they told him essentially that the U.S. military is ready to go to war with Iraq if the president calls for it. That all he has to do is give the green light. The troops are in place and the aircraft carriers. It would simply be a matter of hours before they would be able to attack Iraq as soon as the president gave the authorization -- Paula.

ZAHN: And what more have we learned about any possible timetable for military action, if that's the decision the president makes?

MALVEAUX: Well, here's what they're looking at. Of course, you know, tomorrow is very important, Blix is going to give his report to the U.N. Security Council, then perhaps the next couple of days, the administration will decide what date they'll set for the U.N. Security Council to vote on a resolution that will set the stage for war.

Following that, perhaps as early as Monday or Tuesday, they may actually vote. And then later in the week, next week, is when the president is expected to decide whether or not the country will go to war. Of course, you know, there are many different scenarios. This could change. If the administration feels it doesn't have the support for that second resolution, it may actually move that timetable up, or if they think that British Prime Minister Tony Blair's resolution, the amendment calling for more time, they may move it back a little bit, not too much, though. We're take talking about 72 hours to a week -- Paula.

ZAHN: Let's talk about this British proposal and how the Bush administration is reacting to it and how that affects the diplomatic maneuvering right now.

MALVEAUX: Well, it certainly is something that British Prime Minister Blair needs, and it is something that the administration would accommodate. They are not thrilled about the idea of extending this period of time, but it is not a long period of time. It gives political cover for some of those critical U.S. Security Council members, who they really need those votes from, and as you know, Paula, it is still up in the air whether or not they can get those votes. They're also hoping for France, Russia and China to abstain, instead of using their veto power. We'll see.

ZAHN: All right, Suzanne, a lot to watch tomorrow. Thanks for the update.

Is it snowing there yet? It looks like there's something falling.

MALVEAUX: Yes, it's raining.

ZAHN: It's raining. You got the same weather front we've got. Take care, Suzanne.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: As we have heard, the Pentagon reporting it is now ready for war. In today's installment of our series "Questions of War," we look into what the U.S. strategy could would be in the first few days even of a conflict with Iraq. Our military analyst retired General Don Shepperd back with us. Almost 40 years of air force experience. He flew 250 combat missions during Vietnam. He headed the Air National Guard during the Gulf War, and now joins us again at the CNN Center.

Don, good to see you. Good morning to you.

DON SHEPPERD, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: Two-pronged approach. One by air, one by land. Take the former first. What would it look like in the first 48 hours?

SHEPPERD: Yes, different from the Gulf War. You're going to see a massive air campaign this time, I mean really massive. They're talking about 3,000 strikes in the first day to three days. That's almost 10 times the weight that fell during the initial stages of the Gulf War, and most of it by precision weapons against targets.

This is an overwhelming type air attack designed, using the words of the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, for shock and awe, not that everybody is going to give up, but this is the opening shot, and a lot more is coming, and it's hopeless, you better lay down your arms and give up.

HEMMER: If that is the first move by air, what happens by land? And how are they coordinated?

SHEPPERD: Yes, different from the Gulf War, where you had 37 to 40-day campaign, followed by a three to four day ground war. This is going to be simultaneous movement of ground forces. Basically, starting out of Kuwait, moving up toward Baghdad, up the Tigris, Euphrates Valley, looping left to isolate the western part of Iraq so that they don't have missile range against Israel. At the same time, whenever the northern front is sorted out, movement of the troops from the north in the Turkey area, the northern border down toward Baghdad.

Now the reason you're going to see ground activity simultaneous with air this time is because we can. In the Gulf War, you had forces basically arrayed right outside of Kuwait, dug in, and now they're not there; they're concentrated around Baghdad. So the ground forces should have easier, early movement than they did during the ground war, and you'll see simultaneous with air.

HEMMER: You mentioned that phrase earlier, shock and all. It's something we talked about at great length yesterday. What's the purpose about talking about this publicly? What is the purpose for the Pentagon saying that 3,000 bombs will hit Baghdad within 48 hours?

SHEPPERD: Yes, Bill, this is basically part of information warfare, letting the enemy know what's going to come, and making sure that Saddam's commanders know that when we cross that border, there is no way out, except that in -- you're either going to surrender, or you're going to go down in battle.

HEMMER: General, not to interrupt you here. I can understand all that. But, again, if you're talking about military strategy and trying to get the upper hand, why go public with comments like that?

SHEPPERD: Basically, again, it's part of the information warfare. You want to convince these people not to fight. You don't want to fight them. And so you're not telling them what time you're going to hit or what time you're going to hit -- that's the information that'll be useful -- or exactly what targets. But you tell them, they are going to be hit, no matter where they are, better to give up, better to switch sides, better to depose your leader than fight, because the end is certainly in sight as soon as we cross that border.

HEMMER: Thank you, general. Don Shepperd, at the CNN Center, good to talk to you again.

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 March 6, 2003 - 08:34   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Intense diplomatic efforts underway, ahead of a critical U.N. vote, possibly next week, and the Pentagon reports it is ready for war with Iraq if ordered to go.
Suzanne Malveaux standing by at the White House.

Good morning, Suzanne.

First off, can you tell us what you've learned about the meeting that took place between President Bush yesterday with his military planners?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It was an extremely important meeting, Paula. It happened in a situation room, and the president basically briefed by his military planners, and they told him essentially that the U.S. military is ready to go to war with Iraq if the president calls for it. That all he has to do is give the green light. The troops are in place and the aircraft carriers. It would simply be a matter of hours before they would be able to attack Iraq as soon as the president gave the authorization -- Paula.

ZAHN: And what more have we learned about any possible timetable for military action, if that's the decision the president makes?

MALVEAUX: Well, here's what they're looking at. Of course, you know, tomorrow is very important, Blix is going to give his report to the U.N. Security Council, then perhaps the next couple of days, the administration will decide what date they'll set for the U.N. Security Council to vote on a resolution that will set the stage for war.

Following that, perhaps as early as Monday or Tuesday, they may actually vote. And then later in the week, next week, is when the president is expected to decide whether or not the country will go to war. Of course, you know, there are many different scenarios. This could change. If the administration feels it doesn't have the support for that second resolution, it may actually move that timetable up, or if they think that British Prime Minister Tony Blair's resolution, the amendment calling for more time, they may move it back a little bit, not too much, though. We're take talking about 72 hours to a week -- Paula.

ZAHN: Let's talk about this British proposal and how the Bush administration is reacting to it and how that affects the diplomatic maneuvering right now.

MALVEAUX: Well, it certainly is something that British Prime Minister Blair needs, and it is something that the administration would accommodate. They are not thrilled about the idea of extending this period of time, but it is not a long period of time. It gives political cover for some of those critical U.S. Security Council members, who they really need those votes from, and as you know, Paula, it is still up in the air whether or not they can get those votes. They're also hoping for France, Russia and China to abstain, instead of using their veto power. We'll see.

ZAHN: All right, Suzanne, a lot to watch tomorrow. Thanks for the update.

Is it snowing there yet? It looks like there's something falling.

MALVEAUX: Yes, it's raining.

ZAHN: It's raining. You got the same weather front we've got. Take care, Suzanne.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: As we have heard, the Pentagon reporting it is now ready for war. In today's installment of our series "Questions of War," we look into what the U.S. strategy could would be in the first few days even of a conflict with Iraq. Our military analyst retired General Don Shepperd back with us. Almost 40 years of air force experience. He flew 250 combat missions during Vietnam. He headed the Air National Guard during the Gulf War, and now joins us again at the CNN Center.

Don, good to see you. Good morning to you.

DON SHEPPERD, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Good morning, Bill.

HEMMER: Two-pronged approach. One by air, one by land. Take the former first. What would it look like in the first 48 hours?

SHEPPERD: Yes, different from the Gulf War. You're going to see a massive air campaign this time, I mean really massive. They're talking about 3,000 strikes in the first day to three days. That's almost 10 times the weight that fell during the initial stages of the Gulf War, and most of it by precision weapons against targets.

This is an overwhelming type air attack designed, using the words of the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, for shock and awe, not that everybody is going to give up, but this is the opening shot, and a lot more is coming, and it's hopeless, you better lay down your arms and give up.

HEMMER: If that is the first move by air, what happens by land? And how are they coordinated?

SHEPPERD: Yes, different from the Gulf War, where you had 37 to 40-day campaign, followed by a three to four day ground war. This is going to be simultaneous movement of ground forces. Basically, starting out of Kuwait, moving up toward Baghdad, up the Tigris, Euphrates Valley, looping left to isolate the western part of Iraq so that they don't have missile range against Israel. At the same time, whenever the northern front is sorted out, movement of the troops from the north in the Turkey area, the northern border down toward Baghdad.

Now the reason you're going to see ground activity simultaneous with air this time is because we can. In the Gulf War, you had forces basically arrayed right outside of Kuwait, dug in, and now they're not there; they're concentrated around Baghdad. So the ground forces should have easier, early movement than they did during the ground war, and you'll see simultaneous with air.

HEMMER: You mentioned that phrase earlier, shock and all. It's something we talked about at great length yesterday. What's the purpose about talking about this publicly? What is the purpose for the Pentagon saying that 3,000 bombs will hit Baghdad within 48 hours?

SHEPPERD: Yes, Bill, this is basically part of information warfare, letting the enemy know what's going to come, and making sure that Saddam's commanders know that when we cross that border, there is no way out, except that in -- you're either going to surrender, or you're going to go down in battle.

HEMMER: General, not to interrupt you here. I can understand all that. But, again, if you're talking about military strategy and trying to get the upper hand, why go public with comments like that?

SHEPPERD: Basically, again, it's part of the information warfare. You want to convince these people not to fight. You don't want to fight them. And so you're not telling them what time you're going to hit or what time you're going to hit -- that's the information that'll be useful -- or exactly what targets. But you tell them, they are going to be hit, no matter where they are, better to give up, better to switch sides, better to depose your leader than fight, because the end is certainly in sight as soon as we cross that border.

HEMMER: Thank you, general. Don Shepperd, at the CNN Center, good to talk to you again.

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