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CNN Saturday Morning News

Secretary of State Colin Powell says no Evidence Saddam Hussein is directing attacks in Iraq

Aired November 01, 2003 - 08:06   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.


RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: From the fire lines in California, we go to the front lines in Iraq, where Secretary of State Colin Powell says there's no evidence that Saddam Hussein is directing the attacks in Iraq. Powell responded to a report in "The New York Times."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: Now I can't say that he is no longer among the living. I don't know where he is or what he's doing. But we really don't have the evidence to put together a claim that he is pulling all the strings among these remnants in Baghdad and other parts of the country that are causing us the difficulty. There is somebody or some individuals there who are coordinating these attacks. That's quite certain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAN MIGUEL: Meanwhile, Powell's State Department is warning Americans against traveling to Iraq, saying the country is dangerous and citing credible information that terrorists there may target civil aviation.

Security is tight in Baghdad today, following rumors that could bring a new wave of attacks. But CNN's Ben Wedeman reports the Iraqi capital is quiet so far today.

Ben joins us now live -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Hello, Renay. Well, first of all, there was an attack this morning on U.S. troops in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. There, two soldiers from the 101 Airborne Division were killed when their convoy drove by a roadside bomb. Two others with the 101 Airborne were wounded.

Now, there has been a noticeable of increase in the number of attacks on coalition troops in recent weeks. At the moment, they're running at 33 attacks a day. Here in Baghdad, despite much expectation, rumors, talks and reports that it would be a day of resistance. Some people said it would be a day of hell in Baghdad. It's more like another day in paradise. It's very quiet. There really haven't been any notable or newsworthy incidents occurring around this city. Now, these reports -- we'd also heard from the fact that the U.S. Consulate acknowledging rumors that there were threats against hotel, schools, markets, police stations and non-governmental organizations. The State Department saying that there's also a terrorist threat against civil aviation in the city.

Now, despite those expectations, it's been quiet today. There are not a lot of people out in the street. Schools have been effectively closed down because no one, either teachers or students, have shown up because there were specific threats against schools in general. By and large, people staying at home today hoping that if there is a day of resistance, it's going to pass by quietly -- Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: Ben Wedeman, reporting live from Baghdad. Thank you, Ben.

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




Hussein is directing attacks in Iraq>


Aired November 1, 2003 - 08:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: From the fire lines in California, we go to the front lines in Iraq, where Secretary of State Colin Powell says there's no evidence that Saddam Hussein is directing the attacks in Iraq. Powell responded to a report in "The New York Times."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: Now I can't say that he is no longer among the living. I don't know where he is or what he's doing. But we really don't have the evidence to put together a claim that he is pulling all the strings among these remnants in Baghdad and other parts of the country that are causing us the difficulty. There is somebody or some individuals there who are coordinating these attacks. That's quite certain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAN MIGUEL: Meanwhile, Powell's State Department is warning Americans against traveling to Iraq, saying the country is dangerous and citing credible information that terrorists there may target civil aviation.

Security is tight in Baghdad today, following rumors that could bring a new wave of attacks. But CNN's Ben Wedeman reports the Iraqi capital is quiet so far today.

Ben joins us now live -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Hello, Renay. Well, first of all, there was an attack this morning on U.S. troops in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. There, two soldiers from the 101 Airborne Division were killed when their convoy drove by a roadside bomb. Two others with the 101 Airborne were wounded.

Now, there has been a noticeable of increase in the number of attacks on coalition troops in recent weeks. At the moment, they're running at 33 attacks a day. Here in Baghdad, despite much expectation, rumors, talks and reports that it would be a day of resistance. Some people said it would be a day of hell in Baghdad. It's more like another day in paradise. It's very quiet. There really haven't been any notable or newsworthy incidents occurring around this city. Now, these reports -- we'd also heard from the fact that the U.S. Consulate acknowledging rumors that there were threats against hotel, schools, markets, police stations and non-governmental organizations. The State Department saying that there's also a terrorist threat against civil aviation in the city.

Now, despite those expectations, it's been quiet today. There are not a lot of people out in the street. Schools have been effectively closed down because no one, either teachers or students, have shown up because there were specific threats against schools in general. By and large, people staying at home today hoping that if there is a day of resistance, it's going to pass by quietly -- Renay.

SAN MIGUEL: Ben Wedeman, reporting live from Baghdad. Thank you, Ben.

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




Hussein is directing attacks in Iraq>