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CNN Live Sunday
Pentagon, Soldiers in Persian Gulf Get Ready for War
Aired March 16, 2003 - 19:14 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Most observers say the chances of a last minute diplomatic solution to the Iraqi crisis coming from the U.N. Security Council are pretty much slim to none. Certainly the United States is moving forward with its plans for a war with Iraq. Senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre joins us with a look at what is going on. Jamie?
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, Pentagon sources at this point indicate that war with Iraq is at least two days away, but with a couple of caveats. For one, it could be longer than two days if there are other political developments, particularly if the U.N. inspectors make another trip back to Baghdad or if there is some sort of last ditch effort with the special envoy who might try to convince Saddam Hussein to accept exile. And of course, the war could be triggered much earlier. In fact, it could happen at any time if Iraq were to take some sort of provocative act, such as launching a Scud missile attack, using chemical or biological weapons, or even detonating the oil fields, or taking U.S. citizens hostage, for instance.
Anyone of those things could cause the Pentagon to readjust the war plan. For now, the Pentagon is essentially got everything in place with the exception of Turkey. The U.S. would still like, even at this last minute, to get permission from Turkey to send war planes that are on two aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean over Turkey into northern Iraq.
They would also like to put some special operations troops in Turkey, and also, in Turkey, they would like to be able to use the 24 or so aircraft that normally portray the -- patrol rather, the northern no-fly zone. It is kind of ironic, Anderson, those aircraft can bomb Iraq on a daily basis as part of the no-fly zone patrols, but right now Turkey has not given the U.S. permission to use them in an actual war. Anderson?
COOPER: And we have been hearing all weekend long from the new Turkish prime minister that the likelihood that a new vote would take place in the Turkish parliament is becoming less and less likely. It seems to me, he sort of backing off of what was a hope, I guess, among Pentagon planners several days earlier in the week. Jamie, how important is that northern front, I mean, in any possibly invasion of Iraq?
MCINTYRE: Well, there will be a northern front, one way or the other, the Pentagon says. It is just a matter of how many troops have to come up from the south. And at this point, they have basically written Turkey out of the war plan. But even if they were to get that permission at the very last minute, there is still some very small constructive things that would still be a help, so they haven't given up on Turkey yet. You will be able to tell that they have given up when they move those two aircraft carriers in the eastern Mediterranean down into the Red Sea. That will signal that they've no longer think they will have any chance of Turkish overflights.
COOPER: Jamie, you may not be able to answer this question, and I'm sorry to just sort of spring it on you, but I am interested to know, among Pentagon planners that you have talked to, I mean, how do they see the Iraqi military? Is it a military they are very concerned about? Do they feel it has degraded significantly since the last Gulf War? I mean, the last Gulf War, you know, we heard so much about this million man army, we ended up seeing lots of videos of people raising up their hands and surrendering on that.
MCINTYRE: Well, you know, the fact of the matter is they don't have much of a concern about the Iraqi military, but they are constantly guarding, here at the Pentagon, against over optimism and wishful thinking. But they think that the so-called Elite Republican Guard are vastly overrated. There is a real hope here, and again, it could be wishful thinking, that a lot of these troops are just going to fold in the wake of the very overwhelming U.S. military advantage. And they remain hopeful that they can wrap up this war pretty quickly with a minimum of casualties. With that said, there is also this -- always this awareness that in war, all kinds of things can go wrong and that you have got to plan for the worst while you hope for the best.
COOPER: And no Pentagon planner wants to go and get caught publicly saying, we think this thing is going to get wrapped up, and God forbid, it doesn't, and it doesn't look good. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, thanks -- oh, go ahead.
MCINTYRE: I was going to say, even if it turns out to be a quick decisive victory, that doesn't mean it is going to be easy. There still could be casualties. There are going to be casualties on both sides. It is not going to be clean and easy. So even if it turns out to be quick, it may not be easy.
COOPER: All right. Jamie McIntyre, appreciate it. Thanks very much.
About a quarter million coalition troops are amassed around Iraq in preparation for any war. The men and women there are at peak readiness, they say, poised for war that seems to be eminent. Our Jason Bellini is spending time with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Kuwaiti desert, and he gives us a look at what has been going on where he is.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): We are having to keep our voices down right now, because it is the middle of the night, and here in this tent where the officers for the Gulf Company of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are housed. They are getting some shut-eye before tomorrow's activities. Show you a little bit about this room where we are working here. This is our little work space. We are here in this same tent with the officers. My bed is right there, next to where I have my computer and just a few steps away from where I am standing currently. I have been here with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit for about four days now.
I've been able to observe their activities, living the Marine life with them. I even went for a jog myself with the Marines this morning. The Marines, I can tell you, haven't heard yet the latest news. They will awake to it in the morning, but they have been busy preparing for game day, as they are calling it, if game day should arrive. And this news, of course, indicates that it may be coming sooner than many of them thought.
With me now is the commander of this unit, Captain Justin Dunn (ph). Captain Dunn (ph), thanks for staying up so we could talk to you. Captain, what's going on for the last few days? You have been out here for a month. Have you been picking up your preparations?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we have been preparing pretty steadily since we arrived about a month ago. Especially (ph) in the last week or so, we have been, with more specific information -- more specific guides about what we're maybe called to do. We have been able to prepare in detail for what might be coming ahead.
BELLINI: One of the first things I noticed when I arrived here was just how young the Marines under your command are. I have had a chance to talk to them and have been asking me what I knew -- what I know about what's going back -- going on back in the United States and around the world. Ask me specifically about some of these protesters, anti war protests. Have you been hearing some of that, and have you had some of those questions asked of you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure. They are concerned. There has been some concern about protests, and some limited information -- obviously, we are pretty isolated out here, and the information that we do have is pretty limited. But there have been some rumors about those things, and some specifics in the news. It is definitely a concern, especially the younger Marines, just how they are going to be perceived back home. But obviously it is probably the least of their concerns, I guess. There is some worse -- more serious things they are concerned about, obviously, as we prepare and learning their specific role. And that's really what we are focusing on right now.
BELLINI: For many of them, this will be their first time in combat, correct?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, absolutely. We have a few Gulf War veterans, but very few, by enlarge. You know, 95 percent of the folks within the company are -- will be their first experience in combat, if we are called to do so.
BELLINI: Captain Dunn (ph), thank you so much for staying up and talking to us. Very good of you. You will have a busy day tomorrow.
Well, tomorrow, this unit is going to be going through a dress rehearsal through the steps of what they may be called to do very shortly. We will keep you posted.
I am Jason Bellini with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Kuwait.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 16, 2003 - 19:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Most observers say the chances of a last minute diplomatic solution to the Iraqi crisis coming from the U.N. Security Council are pretty much slim to none. Certainly the United States is moving forward with its plans for a war with Iraq. Senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre joins us with a look at what is going on. Jamie?
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, Pentagon sources at this point indicate that war with Iraq is at least two days away, but with a couple of caveats. For one, it could be longer than two days if there are other political developments, particularly if the U.N. inspectors make another trip back to Baghdad or if there is some sort of last ditch effort with the special envoy who might try to convince Saddam Hussein to accept exile. And of course, the war could be triggered much earlier. In fact, it could happen at any time if Iraq were to take some sort of provocative act, such as launching a Scud missile attack, using chemical or biological weapons, or even detonating the oil fields, or taking U.S. citizens hostage, for instance.
Anyone of those things could cause the Pentagon to readjust the war plan. For now, the Pentagon is essentially got everything in place with the exception of Turkey. The U.S. would still like, even at this last minute, to get permission from Turkey to send war planes that are on two aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean over Turkey into northern Iraq.
They would also like to put some special operations troops in Turkey, and also, in Turkey, they would like to be able to use the 24 or so aircraft that normally portray the -- patrol rather, the northern no-fly zone. It is kind of ironic, Anderson, those aircraft can bomb Iraq on a daily basis as part of the no-fly zone patrols, but right now Turkey has not given the U.S. permission to use them in an actual war. Anderson?
COOPER: And we have been hearing all weekend long from the new Turkish prime minister that the likelihood that a new vote would take place in the Turkish parliament is becoming less and less likely. It seems to me, he sort of backing off of what was a hope, I guess, among Pentagon planners several days earlier in the week. Jamie, how important is that northern front, I mean, in any possibly invasion of Iraq?
MCINTYRE: Well, there will be a northern front, one way or the other, the Pentagon says. It is just a matter of how many troops have to come up from the south. And at this point, they have basically written Turkey out of the war plan. But even if they were to get that permission at the very last minute, there is still some very small constructive things that would still be a help, so they haven't given up on Turkey yet. You will be able to tell that they have given up when they move those two aircraft carriers in the eastern Mediterranean down into the Red Sea. That will signal that they've no longer think they will have any chance of Turkish overflights.
COOPER: Jamie, you may not be able to answer this question, and I'm sorry to just sort of spring it on you, but I am interested to know, among Pentagon planners that you have talked to, I mean, how do they see the Iraqi military? Is it a military they are very concerned about? Do they feel it has degraded significantly since the last Gulf War? I mean, the last Gulf War, you know, we heard so much about this million man army, we ended up seeing lots of videos of people raising up their hands and surrendering on that.
MCINTYRE: Well, you know, the fact of the matter is they don't have much of a concern about the Iraqi military, but they are constantly guarding, here at the Pentagon, against over optimism and wishful thinking. But they think that the so-called Elite Republican Guard are vastly overrated. There is a real hope here, and again, it could be wishful thinking, that a lot of these troops are just going to fold in the wake of the very overwhelming U.S. military advantage. And they remain hopeful that they can wrap up this war pretty quickly with a minimum of casualties. With that said, there is also this -- always this awareness that in war, all kinds of things can go wrong and that you have got to plan for the worst while you hope for the best.
COOPER: And no Pentagon planner wants to go and get caught publicly saying, we think this thing is going to get wrapped up, and God forbid, it doesn't, and it doesn't look good. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon, thanks -- oh, go ahead.
MCINTYRE: I was going to say, even if it turns out to be a quick decisive victory, that doesn't mean it is going to be easy. There still could be casualties. There are going to be casualties on both sides. It is not going to be clean and easy. So even if it turns out to be quick, it may not be easy.
COOPER: All right. Jamie McIntyre, appreciate it. Thanks very much.
About a quarter million coalition troops are amassed around Iraq in preparation for any war. The men and women there are at peak readiness, they say, poised for war that seems to be eminent. Our Jason Bellini is spending time with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Kuwaiti desert, and he gives us a look at what has been going on where he is.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): We are having to keep our voices down right now, because it is the middle of the night, and here in this tent where the officers for the Gulf Company of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are housed. They are getting some shut-eye before tomorrow's activities. Show you a little bit about this room where we are working here. This is our little work space. We are here in this same tent with the officers. My bed is right there, next to where I have my computer and just a few steps away from where I am standing currently. I have been here with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit for about four days now.
I've been able to observe their activities, living the Marine life with them. I even went for a jog myself with the Marines this morning. The Marines, I can tell you, haven't heard yet the latest news. They will awake to it in the morning, but they have been busy preparing for game day, as they are calling it, if game day should arrive. And this news, of course, indicates that it may be coming sooner than many of them thought.
With me now is the commander of this unit, Captain Justin Dunn (ph). Captain Dunn (ph), thanks for staying up so we could talk to you. Captain, what's going on for the last few days? You have been out here for a month. Have you been picking up your preparations?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we have been preparing pretty steadily since we arrived about a month ago. Especially (ph) in the last week or so, we have been, with more specific information -- more specific guides about what we're maybe called to do. We have been able to prepare in detail for what might be coming ahead.
BELLINI: One of the first things I noticed when I arrived here was just how young the Marines under your command are. I have had a chance to talk to them and have been asking me what I knew -- what I know about what's going back -- going on back in the United States and around the world. Ask me specifically about some of these protesters, anti war protests. Have you been hearing some of that, and have you had some of those questions asked of you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure. They are concerned. There has been some concern about protests, and some limited information -- obviously, we are pretty isolated out here, and the information that we do have is pretty limited. But there have been some rumors about those things, and some specifics in the news. It is definitely a concern, especially the younger Marines, just how they are going to be perceived back home. But obviously it is probably the least of their concerns, I guess. There is some worse -- more serious things they are concerned about, obviously, as we prepare and learning their specific role. And that's really what we are focusing on right now.
BELLINI: For many of them, this will be their first time in combat, correct?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, absolutely. We have a few Gulf War veterans, but very few, by enlarge. You know, 95 percent of the folks within the company are -- will be their first experience in combat, if we are called to do so.
BELLINI: Captain Dunn (ph), thank you so much for staying up and talking to us. Very good of you. You will have a busy day tomorrow.
Well, tomorrow, this unit is going to be going through a dress rehearsal through the steps of what they may be called to do very shortly. We will keep you posted.
I am Jason Bellini with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Kuwait.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
