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American Morning
Paul Bremer Saying Assassination Attempt on His Life Made
Aired December 19, 2003 - 08:05 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: Paul Bremer talking earlier today in the southeastern city of Basra, saying an assassination attempt on his life happened back on the 6th of December, just about two weeks ago. Bremer says he was in a convoy coming from the airport west of town into the city when his convoy came under small arms attack. No one was injured as a result. Obviously, Bremer survived.
It should be noted, though, that Paul Bremer, whenever he moves about this country, travels in a very fortified vehicle.
Again, Paul Bremer's comments, we anticipate them a bit later this morning, so stay tuned for more on that.
Also, three explosions to talk about. The first one happened just west of Baghdad near the prison of Abu Ghurayb, a former prison used by Saddam Hussein. It's not a giant U.S. military facility. We are told a tanker truck operated by the U.S. military was the target there, but not much information on injuries or fatalities. So more a bit later today on that.
Also, here in Baghdad, before the sun came up today, the main Shiite political party headquarters was the target, the second time now in three days this party has been hit. One woman is dead after a bomb blew up. Eight others are wounded.
Also, further west, in the town of Hit (ph), two U.S. soldiers from the 82nd Airborne apparently hit witness an explosive device. They are wounded. That report coming out from the 82nd Airborne just about 45 minutes ago.
Now the issue of Saddam Hussein. His daughter Raghad was talking with CNN's Rym Brahimi yesterday. Raghad, by the way, is now staying in Amman, Jordan. She says after she saw the tape of her father being taken out of that hole and examined by the U.S. military, she is convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that her father was drugged by the Americans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAGHAD HUSSEIN, SADDAM'S ELDEST DAUGHTER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Anyone with insight could tell from the first instance that my father was not fully conscious. As a daughter, I told them from the start, my father is drugged. I am 100 percent convinced. Until this moment, I read a lot of analysis in the papers which indicate other things. But I am convinced that my father was drugged.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HEMMER: She insists, also, that any talk of the Americans saying that Saddam surrendered without a fight is simply not true, she demands. And she also says she will push for an international court, not an Iraqi court, in the event that her father's case comes to trial.
A bit later this hour, we'll talk in a rare interview -- he rarely speaks on camera -- the former translator for Saddam Hussein. His thoughts now on his country a bit later this hour here on AMERICAN MORNING -- Soledad, now back to you in New York.
O'BRIEN: All right, Bill 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 December 19, 2003 - 08:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Paul Bremer talking earlier today in the southeastern city of Basra, saying an assassination attempt on his life happened back on the 6th of December, just about two weeks ago. Bremer says he was in a convoy coming from the airport west of town into the city when his convoy came under small arms attack. No one was injured as a result. Obviously, Bremer survived.
It should be noted, though, that Paul Bremer, whenever he moves about this country, travels in a very fortified vehicle.
Again, Paul Bremer's comments, we anticipate them a bit later this morning, so stay tuned for more on that.
Also, three explosions to talk about. The first one happened just west of Baghdad near the prison of Abu Ghurayb, a former prison used by Saddam Hussein. It's not a giant U.S. military facility. We are told a tanker truck operated by the U.S. military was the target there, but not much information on injuries or fatalities. So more a bit later today on that.
Also, here in Baghdad, before the sun came up today, the main Shiite political party headquarters was the target, the second time now in three days this party has been hit. One woman is dead after a bomb blew up. Eight others are wounded.
Also, further west, in the town of Hit (ph), two U.S. soldiers from the 82nd Airborne apparently hit witness an explosive device. They are wounded. That report coming out from the 82nd Airborne just about 45 minutes ago.
Now the issue of Saddam Hussein. His daughter Raghad was talking with CNN's Rym Brahimi yesterday. Raghad, by the way, is now staying in Amman, Jordan. She says after she saw the tape of her father being taken out of that hole and examined by the U.S. military, she is convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that her father was drugged by the Americans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAGHAD HUSSEIN, SADDAM'S ELDEST DAUGHTER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Anyone with insight could tell from the first instance that my father was not fully conscious. As a daughter, I told them from the start, my father is drugged. I am 100 percent convinced. Until this moment, I read a lot of analysis in the papers which indicate other things. But I am convinced that my father was drugged.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HEMMER: She insists, also, that any talk of the Americans saying that Saddam surrendered without a fight is simply not true, she demands. And she also says she will push for an international court, not an Iraqi court, in the event that her father's case comes to trial.
A bit later this hour, we'll talk in a rare interview -- he rarely speaks on camera -- the former translator for Saddam Hussein. His thoughts now on his country a bit later this hour here on AMERICAN MORNING -- Soledad, now back to you in New York.
O'BRIEN: All right, Bill 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
