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American Morning

Taking Charge

Aired April 21, 2003 - 09:34   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The man who's in charge of running post-war Iraq now in Baghdad as of today. Retired U.S. General Jay Garner arrived in the Iraqi capital earlier today. His first priority, restoring basic services, water and electricity.
Rula Amin is live in the Iraqi capital, tracking all of this for us.

Rula, good afternoon there.

RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Bill.

Jay Garner's first stop in Iraq was at a hospital. It was an Iraqi hospital that had many war casualties, and it was looted. And the doctors there faced him with many questions and many requests. He says he wants to help, but he will need time.

And here's something he has been emphasizing. He will take the time he needs in order to do three major things. One is to oversee the delivery of aid, foreign aid, to 24 million Iraqis. Second is to oversee the reconstruction and rebuilding of Iraq. A lot of buildings have been damaged. A lot of infrastructure, and there's so much to be done. The third and probably one of the most important items is to establish an Iraqi interim government, one that when it's in place, Jay Garner's mission will end. But many Iraqis are wondering when. He did say today, he will take the time he needs and that he was happy to be in Baghdad to be able to help the Iraqi people.

But some Iraqis went on the streets, demanding that U.S. troops leave Iraq, and insisting that they want to be in charge -- Heidi.

HEMMER: It's Bill, but I'll take it anyway. Thanks, Rula. Rula Amin, again, live in Baghdad, watching the latest on Jay Garner and the efforts there to try to get the water back on and trying to get the power as well. Rula, 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 April 21, 2003 - 09:34   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The man who's in charge of running post-war Iraq now in Baghdad as of today. Retired U.S. General Jay Garner arrived in the Iraqi capital earlier today. His first priority, restoring basic services, water and electricity.
Rula Amin is live in the Iraqi capital, tracking all of this for us.

Rula, good afternoon there.

RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Bill.

Jay Garner's first stop in Iraq was at a hospital. It was an Iraqi hospital that had many war casualties, and it was looted. And the doctors there faced him with many questions and many requests. He says he wants to help, but he will need time.

And here's something he has been emphasizing. He will take the time he needs in order to do three major things. One is to oversee the delivery of aid, foreign aid, to 24 million Iraqis. Second is to oversee the reconstruction and rebuilding of Iraq. A lot of buildings have been damaged. A lot of infrastructure, and there's so much to be done. The third and probably one of the most important items is to establish an Iraqi interim government, one that when it's in place, Jay Garner's mission will end. But many Iraqis are wondering when. He did say today, he will take the time he needs and that he was happy to be in Baghdad to be able to help the Iraqi people.

But some Iraqis went on the streets, demanding that U.S. troops leave Iraq, and insisting that they want to be in charge -- Heidi.

HEMMER: It's Bill, but I'll take it anyway. Thanks, Rula. Rula Amin, again, live in Baghdad, watching the latest on Jay Garner and the efforts there to try to get the water back on and trying to get the power as well. Rula, 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