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CNN Saturday Morning News

Red Cross Gets a Look at Saddam Hussein

Aired February 21, 2004 - 09:00   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.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Saddam Hussein leads the news at this hour. Ever since he was discovered hiding in a hole in the ground, the International Red Cross has been clamoring to see him. Today they got their wish.
CNN Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf is on top of that for us this morning. Jane, we know a lot of this has had to be kept confidential, according to the ICRC, but what can you tell us about what's happened here?

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Heidi, the main thing is that the visit did take place. As you mentioned, they have been trying for a very long time to see him. And the reason they wanted to see him, as they've seen a lot of the other prisoners, is to certify that essentially he's not being tortured, that he's been given enough food and water, and he's being held under the conditions that are set forth by the Geneva Conventions.

So what we know is that two members of the ICRC, the International Committee of the Red Cross, got into see him today. One of them was a medical doctor, who gave him a medical checkup. The other was another staff member. One of them spoke Arabic. And they had enough time, they said, to see him and ascertain what conditions he was being held in.

They offered him the ability to write a message to his family, which he did, and which the ICRC, the Committee of the Red Cross, will deliver.

Apart from that, they're not giving details. They say they have to keep this confidential and will send the report to American authorities as to how they believe he's being treated and whether, in fact, it complies with the convention. But they have been able to see him, apparently here in Baghdad, Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Jane Arraf live from Baghdad this morning. Jane, thanks so 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 February 21, 2004 - 09:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Saddam Hussein leads the news at this hour. Ever since he was discovered hiding in a hole in the ground, the International Red Cross has been clamoring to see him. Today they got their wish.
CNN Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf is on top of that for us this morning. Jane, we know a lot of this has had to be kept confidential, according to the ICRC, but what can you tell us about what's happened here?

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Heidi, the main thing is that the visit did take place. As you mentioned, they have been trying for a very long time to see him. And the reason they wanted to see him, as they've seen a lot of the other prisoners, is to certify that essentially he's not being tortured, that he's been given enough food and water, and he's being held under the conditions that are set forth by the Geneva Conventions.

So what we know is that two members of the ICRC, the International Committee of the Red Cross, got into see him today. One of them was a medical doctor, who gave him a medical checkup. The other was another staff member. One of them spoke Arabic. And they had enough time, they said, to see him and ascertain what conditions he was being held in.

They offered him the ability to write a message to his family, which he did, and which the ICRC, the Committee of the Red Cross, will deliver.

Apart from that, they're not giving details. They say they have to keep this confidential and will send the report to American authorities as to how they believe he's being treated and whether, in fact, it complies with the convention. But they have been able to see him, apparently here in Baghdad, Heidi.

COLLINS: All right, Jane Arraf live from Baghdad this morning. Jane, thanks so 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