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American Morning
Iraqi Leadership Targeted in Strike
Aired March 20, 2003 - 09:16 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: Back to the embeds right now, a series of colleagues here at CNN embedding with various units of the U.S. military. Walter Rodgers is one of them, he's with the 7th Cavalry, U.S. Army, stationed near the Iraqi border, northern Kuwait. Walter's back with us now to join us what he's been picking up over the past several hours -- Walter.
WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill. I've been talking to members of the 7th Cavalry, the U.S. Army 7th Cavalry, here in the northern Kuwaiti desert. after a missile was fired by the Iraqis at Americans forces -- we could hear it exploding in the distance from here -- trying to gauge the soldiers' reaction. At first it was a reaction of fear. I think, however, as this war draws closer, you can get the sense that the American soldiers with 7th Cavalry are becoming extraordinarily angry that the Iraqis fired a missile at the troop elements which are gathered here in the northern Kuwaiti desert.
One soldier said to me, Saddam Hussein firing one missile at this massive American army which is gathered here is sort of like going bear hunting with a chihuahua.
So the Iraqis may have miscalculated when they fired that one missile across the border because what they done is irritate and anger the American forces here and make them even more hungry to get on with this battle.
I was in this very desert right where I'm standing now when the Iraqis fired that missile. I could hear the shots over my shoulder over there. The explosions, subsequently it was explained some of what we heard were explosions from Patriot missiles trying to shoot down the Iraqi missile. But everyone in this unit had to jump into full chemical weapons suits, the masks, the parkas, boots, trousers, everything. After that, and the discomfort that is spawned of standing in one of those chemical weapons suits in the desert heat, a soldier could only be angry. And I think, as I say, Iraqis may have miscalculated by firing that missile.
Bill?
HEMMER: Now, Walter, back up just a bit here. It's been said for weeks now that the possibility exists out there for some sort of incoming missile to be aimed at these U.S. troops. Did they find it to be that surprising, though, knowing that it is now happening, take place at least in target anyway, knowing that it's missed that target, U.S.troops. Are they surprised, though, that the Iraqis have taken such a measure? RODGERS: No, not surprised so much as just angry. These soldiers, when they go into battle know what they will be facing in Iraq. And besides, one of the things they fear in addition to the chemical and biological threat, which they know they face and of course that gives them great pause, but one of the things that upsets them the most is the concern that the American soldiers will face Iraqi civilians being used by Saddam Hussein as human shields.
I talked to one tank sergeant, or tank commander recently, and he said that's what bothers him the most about this, that the Iraqis would or that Saddam Hussein would use civilians as human shields against an American army coming in to force a regime change.
So, of course, the concern is that there will be a chemical and biological attack on the American soldiers, but they are well-trained for that and I think right now the mood here is just anger. And a desire to get this over with, get on with this as quickly as possible.
Bill?
HEMMER: Walter, thanks. Walt Rodgers, again, northern Kuwaiti desert with the 7th Cavalry, U.S. Army.
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 - 09:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the embeds right now, a series of colleagues here at CNN embedding with various units of the U.S. military. Walter Rodgers is one of them, he's with the 7th Cavalry, U.S. Army, stationed near the Iraqi border, northern Kuwait. Walter's back with us now to join us what he's been picking up over the past several hours -- Walter.
WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill. I've been talking to members of the 7th Cavalry, the U.S. Army 7th Cavalry, here in the northern Kuwaiti desert. after a missile was fired by the Iraqis at Americans forces -- we could hear it exploding in the distance from here -- trying to gauge the soldiers' reaction. At first it was a reaction of fear. I think, however, as this war draws closer, you can get the sense that the American soldiers with 7th Cavalry are becoming extraordinarily angry that the Iraqis fired a missile at the troop elements which are gathered here in the northern Kuwaiti desert.
One soldier said to me, Saddam Hussein firing one missile at this massive American army which is gathered here is sort of like going bear hunting with a chihuahua.
So the Iraqis may have miscalculated when they fired that one missile across the border because what they done is irritate and anger the American forces here and make them even more hungry to get on with this battle.
I was in this very desert right where I'm standing now when the Iraqis fired that missile. I could hear the shots over my shoulder over there. The explosions, subsequently it was explained some of what we heard were explosions from Patriot missiles trying to shoot down the Iraqi missile. But everyone in this unit had to jump into full chemical weapons suits, the masks, the parkas, boots, trousers, everything. After that, and the discomfort that is spawned of standing in one of those chemical weapons suits in the desert heat, a soldier could only be angry. And I think, as I say, Iraqis may have miscalculated by firing that missile.
Bill?
HEMMER: Now, Walter, back up just a bit here. It's been said for weeks now that the possibility exists out there for some sort of incoming missile to be aimed at these U.S. troops. Did they find it to be that surprising, though, knowing that it is now happening, take place at least in target anyway, knowing that it's missed that target, U.S.troops. Are they surprised, though, that the Iraqis have taken such a measure? RODGERS: No, not surprised so much as just angry. These soldiers, when they go into battle know what they will be facing in Iraq. And besides, one of the things they fear in addition to the chemical and biological threat, which they know they face and of course that gives them great pause, but one of the things that upsets them the most is the concern that the American soldiers will face Iraqi civilians being used by Saddam Hussein as human shields.
I talked to one tank sergeant, or tank commander recently, and he said that's what bothers him the most about this, that the Iraqis would or that Saddam Hussein would use civilians as human shields against an American army coming in to force a regime change.
So, of course, the concern is that there will be a chemical and biological attack on the American soldiers, but they are well-trained for that and I think right now the mood here is just anger. And a desire to get this over with, get on with this as quickly as possible.
Bill?
HEMMER: Walter, thanks. Walt Rodgers, again, northern Kuwaiti desert with the 7th Cavalry, U.S. Army.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
