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CNN Saturday Morning News
Thousands March in Iraq in Support of Saddam Hussein
Aired March 15, 2003 - 07:28 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.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN ANCHOR: And right now, let's head to Iraq, where huge demonstrations are under way today. Thousands of people are marching in the streets to say no to war and to show their support for President Saddam Hussein.
Our Rym Brahimi is standing by in Baghdad with more. Hello, Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Arthel.
Indeed, thousands of people in the streets of Baghdad, but also in the streets of various other cities throughout Iraq. Now, they range from high school kids to members of the Ba'ath ruling party, men and women, a lot of them, you spoke to -- I spoke to some of them, and they all said, We're here to say no to war and yes to peace.
But of course, Arthel, these are opportunities for the ruling Ba'ath Party to make a big show of support for President Saddam Hussein. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) were waving banners, you know, with portraits of the president, also banners saying, "We will fight the enemy, and we will be victorious." Lot of people also were brandishing guns and weapons.
Now, as you know, Arthel, the inspection process here still continues. The inspectors have received a report on VX or on how Iraq says it can account for quantities of VX that it says it destroyed in 1991. They're expecting similar reports on anthrax to come in the next two days.
But the numbers of inspectors is relatively low. Out of the 160 international staff of the inspection mission, only 60 inspectors for the moment. Despite that, inspections do continue, Arthel. At least five sites being checked out today, including, of course, the site where the Al Samoud missiles are being destroyed.
Today we understand that they plan to destroy three Al Samoud missiles as well as other various components for that missile, Arthel.
NEVILLE: You know, and Rym, getting back to the protests, I mean, do the people of -- the people of Iraq, do they really have a choice? I mean, they're out they're saying, of course, no to peace, but they're also showing support for President Saddam Hussein. Is there a choice?
BRAHIMI: Well, these demonstrations, Arthel, as you can tell, maybe, are very, very well orchestrated, very well organized. People are actually bussed in from various neighborhoods, from schools, to attend demonstrations in different areas or neighborhoods in Baghdad and around.
Now, there is, obviously, a feeling that people definitely (UNINTELLIGIBLE) peace. That said, of course, again, it is a big opportunity, especially as it's broadcast on Iraqi TV, for the members of the ruling Ba'ath Party who oversee those demonstrations, to make a big show of support, telling not only the Iraqis, but also maybe the rest of the world, We're all behind our president. That's definitely the message they're using these demonstrations to send out -- Arthel.
NEVILLE: OK. Rym Brahimi, live from Baghdad, thank you very much.
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 15, 2003 - 07:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN ANCHOR: And right now, let's head to Iraq, where huge demonstrations are under way today. Thousands of people are marching in the streets to say no to war and to show their support for President Saddam Hussein.
Our Rym Brahimi is standing by in Baghdad with more. Hello, Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Arthel.
Indeed, thousands of people in the streets of Baghdad, but also in the streets of various other cities throughout Iraq. Now, they range from high school kids to members of the Ba'ath ruling party, men and women, a lot of them, you spoke to -- I spoke to some of them, and they all said, We're here to say no to war and yes to peace.
But of course, Arthel, these are opportunities for the ruling Ba'ath Party to make a big show of support for President Saddam Hussein. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) were waving banners, you know, with portraits of the president, also banners saying, "We will fight the enemy, and we will be victorious." Lot of people also were brandishing guns and weapons.
Now, as you know, Arthel, the inspection process here still continues. The inspectors have received a report on VX or on how Iraq says it can account for quantities of VX that it says it destroyed in 1991. They're expecting similar reports on anthrax to come in the next two days.
But the numbers of inspectors is relatively low. Out of the 160 international staff of the inspection mission, only 60 inspectors for the moment. Despite that, inspections do continue, Arthel. At least five sites being checked out today, including, of course, the site where the Al Samoud missiles are being destroyed.
Today we understand that they plan to destroy three Al Samoud missiles as well as other various components for that missile, Arthel.
NEVILLE: You know, and Rym, getting back to the protests, I mean, do the people of -- the people of Iraq, do they really have a choice? I mean, they're out they're saying, of course, no to peace, but they're also showing support for President Saddam Hussein. Is there a choice?
BRAHIMI: Well, these demonstrations, Arthel, as you can tell, maybe, are very, very well orchestrated, very well organized. People are actually bussed in from various neighborhoods, from schools, to attend demonstrations in different areas or neighborhoods in Baghdad and around.
Now, there is, obviously, a feeling that people definitely (UNINTELLIGIBLE) peace. That said, of course, again, it is a big opportunity, especially as it's broadcast on Iraqi TV, for the members of the ruling Ba'ath Party who oversee those demonstrations, to make a big show of support, telling not only the Iraqis, but also maybe the rest of the world, We're all behind our president. That's definitely the message they're using these demonstrations to send out -- Arthel.
NEVILLE: OK. Rym Brahimi, live from Baghdad, thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
