Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Kuwaiti Military Prepares for War
Aired March 18, 2003 - 07:02 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: Time to check in with Bill Hemmer, who joins us from Kuwait this morning, where troops are getting ready to fight.
Good morning -- Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, Paula, hello from Kuwait City.
Just a few hours ago getting reports, eyewitness accounts of hundreds of military vehicles, convoys as they're described, moving up and down Highway 80. That's the main thoroughfare west of Kuwait City that runs north straight into Iraq -- getting that word a short time ago. So, there is movement outside the city.
Meanwhile, here in the city, have a look at some of the security that's now been set up. Some of the major thoroughfares and intersections in downtown Kuwait City you will see a show of force, armored personnel carriers with the military members from Kuwait standing sentry, watching things and keeping a very close guard on things here.
It is a more fortified country, especially when you compare it to my last visit here, Paula, three weeks ago. However, take a look at another piece of videotape, morning rush hour traffic in Kuwait City. The streets were clogged, the traffic was backed up just like any other normal day that you would find here in the week in Kuwait City.
Kuwaitis will tell you they feel quite secure right now with 120,000 U.S. troops stationed on their soil, and that presence gives them a lot of security. Yes, the tension is higher here, but not nearly at a fevered pitch.
And again, you might look around this place and wonder if it is truly on the front lines of what could be another military conflict here in the Persian Gulf.
Much more on how the Kuwaitis are feeling coming up throughout the morning here, and we'll also get you live to Baghdad to let you know what's happening on the ground there regarding the inspectors in a few minutes.
But for now, back to New York -- Paula.
ZAHN: Thanks, Bill. Glad you got there safely.
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 18, 2003 - 07:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Time to check in with Bill Hemmer, who joins us from Kuwait this morning, where troops are getting ready to fight.
Good morning -- Bill.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, Paula, hello from Kuwait City.
Just a few hours ago getting reports, eyewitness accounts of hundreds of military vehicles, convoys as they're described, moving up and down Highway 80. That's the main thoroughfare west of Kuwait City that runs north straight into Iraq -- getting that word a short time ago. So, there is movement outside the city.
Meanwhile, here in the city, have a look at some of the security that's now been set up. Some of the major thoroughfares and intersections in downtown Kuwait City you will see a show of force, armored personnel carriers with the military members from Kuwait standing sentry, watching things and keeping a very close guard on things here.
It is a more fortified country, especially when you compare it to my last visit here, Paula, three weeks ago. However, take a look at another piece of videotape, morning rush hour traffic in Kuwait City. The streets were clogged, the traffic was backed up just like any other normal day that you would find here in the week in Kuwait City.
Kuwaitis will tell you they feel quite secure right now with 120,000 U.S. troops stationed on their soil, and that presence gives them a lot of security. Yes, the tension is higher here, but not nearly at a fevered pitch.
And again, you might look around this place and wonder if it is truly on the front lines of what could be another military conflict here in the Persian Gulf.
Much more on how the Kuwaitis are feeling coming up throughout the morning here, and we'll also get you live to Baghdad to let you know what's happening on the ground there regarding the inspectors in a few minutes.
But for now, back to New York -- Paula.
ZAHN: Thanks, Bill. Glad you got there safely.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
