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American Morning

Bush Meets With Planners

Aired March 20, 2003 - 08:39   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There still is this wide open question, Paula, whether or not Turkey air space could be used by U.S. fighter jets. It would be critical from a number of standpoints, chiefly being military planners will tell you the southern portion is taken care of when it comes to taking on Baghdad, but the northern part is still in question. There may be a vote today, we're told, in the Turkish Parliament.
Fredricka Whitfield is watching all of that now from Ankara, the Turkish capital, and she can tell us what she is seeing and hearing thus far today -- Fredricka, hello.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, Bill. Well, the Turkish Parliament is in session, and a vote could come at any moment today. At issue, those U.S. military flights over Turkey in order to carry out any northern front operations in Iraq. But unlike, the initial, much more comprehensive plan that would have allowed U.S. military full access of Turkey, which was denied earlier this month, it's unclear whether there will be any financial incentives that would come to Turkey, and Turkey could certainly use it. They are $93 billion in debt, and initially, that first comprehensive package would have offered $30 billion, including $6 billion in direct U.S. aid, in exchange for full access.

Now, Washington is saying we're not quite sure if we're going to offer anything, and if we do, it certainly isn't going to be anything close to the $30 billion. Even after what could be today's parliament vote, the U.S. still could come back with a special offer asking for special passage of the 60,000 American troops and their special armored gear, just to pass through the Turkish territories in order to make it to northern Iraq. It is expected that there just might be some financial incentives offered there -- Bill.

HEMMER: Fredricka, thanks. Fredricka Whitfield in Ankara. Clearly a windy day in Turkey. This is something we have not seen in the past day. That has been a good thing, based on the sandstorm we experienced about 24 hours ago. Before we get back to General Shepperd, John King at the has some developments -- John, what do you have for us at this hour?

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, the president in the oval office. We are told to expect two things today. One, an urgent round of military planning, and a decision on when to give the go order for the major portion of the U.S. strike and, No. 2, some urgent telephone diplomacy as well. Some of it to allies, to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who will be in daily contact with President Bush, we are told. We are also this morning by a senior official that the president has been briefed, and quite well understands the criticism from Paris, from Moscow, other key capitals around the world, but we are told Mr. Bush will be -- quote -- "undeterred by that."

He escalated by as much as two days, we are told, the planning yesterday by launching these strikes trying to decapitate the Iraqi leadership. U.S. officials say the president, this morning, in his meetings with Secretary Rumsfeld and others will decide whether to stick with the initial plan which, we are told, called for the major strikes not to begin for, perhaps, another 12 to 24 hours or whether to escalate it even further -- Bill.

HEMMER: John King at the White House. Thanks.

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 20, 2003 - 08:39   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There still is this wide open question, Paula, whether or not Turkey air space could be used by U.S. fighter jets. It would be critical from a number of standpoints, chiefly being military planners will tell you the southern portion is taken care of when it comes to taking on Baghdad, but the northern part is still in question. There may be a vote today, we're told, in the Turkish Parliament.
Fredricka Whitfield is watching all of that now from Ankara, the Turkish capital, and she can tell us what she is seeing and hearing thus far today -- Fredricka, hello.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, Bill. Well, the Turkish Parliament is in session, and a vote could come at any moment today. At issue, those U.S. military flights over Turkey in order to carry out any northern front operations in Iraq. But unlike, the initial, much more comprehensive plan that would have allowed U.S. military full access of Turkey, which was denied earlier this month, it's unclear whether there will be any financial incentives that would come to Turkey, and Turkey could certainly use it. They are $93 billion in debt, and initially, that first comprehensive package would have offered $30 billion, including $6 billion in direct U.S. aid, in exchange for full access.

Now, Washington is saying we're not quite sure if we're going to offer anything, and if we do, it certainly isn't going to be anything close to the $30 billion. Even after what could be today's parliament vote, the U.S. still could come back with a special offer asking for special passage of the 60,000 American troops and their special armored gear, just to pass through the Turkish territories in order to make it to northern Iraq. It is expected that there just might be some financial incentives offered there -- Bill.

HEMMER: Fredricka, thanks. Fredricka Whitfield in Ankara. Clearly a windy day in Turkey. This is something we have not seen in the past day. That has been a good thing, based on the sandstorm we experienced about 24 hours ago. Before we get back to General Shepperd, John King at the has some developments -- John, what do you have for us at this hour?

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, the president in the oval office. We are told to expect two things today. One, an urgent round of military planning, and a decision on when to give the go order for the major portion of the U.S. strike and, No. 2, some urgent telephone diplomacy as well. Some of it to allies, to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who will be in daily contact with President Bush, we are told. We are also this morning by a senior official that the president has been briefed, and quite well understands the criticism from Paris, from Moscow, other key capitals around the world, but we are told Mr. Bush will be -- quote -- "undeterred by that."

He escalated by as much as two days, we are told, the planning yesterday by launching these strikes trying to decapitate the Iraqi leadership. U.S. officials say the president, this morning, in his meetings with Secretary Rumsfeld and others will decide whether to stick with the initial plan which, we are told, called for the major strikes not to begin for, perhaps, another 12 to 24 hours or whether to escalate it even further -- Bill.

HEMMER: John King at the White House. Thanks.

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