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CNN Live Sunday
Another Most Wanted Iraqi in U.S. Custody
Aired April 27, 2003 - 17:07 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: Our other big story today. Another of Iraq's most wanted is now cooling his heels in coalition custody. General Husam Muhammad Amin was the chief liaison officer between the Iraqi government and U.N. weapons inspectors, so he could know a lot if, of course, he is talking.
CNN's Jeanne Meserve joins us from the Pentagon with details of the capture -- Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, we don't know yet if he is talking. And we don't know any details about his detention, only a release from Central Command saying that he is in custody. Now, General Amin was number 49 on the U.S. list of the 55 most wanted Iraqis. He was the chief liaison to U.N. weapons inspectors, known as a loyal officer to Saddam Hussein.
Now, back in 1988 during the first round of weapons inspections, he was the one who denied access of the inspectors to certain sensitive sites, including presidential palaces. There is hope that if he does talk he will provide some information about the whereabouts of possible weapons of mass destruction. And also perhaps information about key members of the Iraqi regime. He is believed to be a friend of Saddam Hussein's personal secretary, and also a friend of Saddam's son Qusay.
Now, also in custody is Tariq Aziz. He is the former deputy prime minister. Today, General Tommy Franks said that Tariq Aziz is talking to authorities. But he says at this point, the U.S. doesn't know how much to believe of what Aziz is saying. Franks made his comments as he and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld took a tour through the region, their first stop today was at the United Arab Emirates. They are talking to leaders in the region about the future governance in Iraq, and also about the future U.S. military presence in the region. Franks indicated today there will be changes in that regard.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS, CMDR. U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: There is in each place the secretary visits, and in the dialogues that he has, as well as the ones that I have with leaders in the region. There is an understanding that since the regime in Iraq is gone, and since there will no longer be a need for Operation Northern Watch, and Southern Watch and so forth, that in the days and months ahead, there will likely be a rearrangement of the footprint in the region.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Now, General Franks said he couldn't say at this point whether that footprint, as he called it, would be smaller. But he said the U.S. was looking for the highest payoff in the future. Now, on this trip, Franks and Rumsfeld will eventually be making stops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. But tomorrow the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld will be holding a town hall meeting with some U.S. soldiers in Doha. Anderson, back to you.
COOPER: Yes, actually, I attended a town hall meeting he did with soldiers in Doha a couple of months ago. And it was actually quite a fun event. He seems to really enjoy talking with the troops in the field. I want to ask you a little bit about the security situation on the ground in Iraq. Are you hearing anything from Pentagon officials of their assessment of the security situation?
MESERVE: Well, there was this ambush this morning in which four were injured in Baghdad, an indication that security is still a significant concern in Baghdad. Now, General Franks and the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld were asked about the security situation today. They offered the opinion that there have been tribal and religious animosities for decades in Iraq. And those are likely to continue. But they said the situation is better now than it was a week ago. And they project that it will continue to improve -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Jeanne Meserve at the Pentagon. Thanks 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 April 27, 2003 - 17:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Our other big story today. Another of Iraq's most wanted is now cooling his heels in coalition custody. General Husam Muhammad Amin was the chief liaison officer between the Iraqi government and U.N. weapons inspectors, so he could know a lot if, of course, he is talking.
CNN's Jeanne Meserve joins us from the Pentagon with details of the capture -- Jeanne.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, we don't know yet if he is talking. And we don't know any details about his detention, only a release from Central Command saying that he is in custody. Now, General Amin was number 49 on the U.S. list of the 55 most wanted Iraqis. He was the chief liaison to U.N. weapons inspectors, known as a loyal officer to Saddam Hussein.
Now, back in 1988 during the first round of weapons inspections, he was the one who denied access of the inspectors to certain sensitive sites, including presidential palaces. There is hope that if he does talk he will provide some information about the whereabouts of possible weapons of mass destruction. And also perhaps information about key members of the Iraqi regime. He is believed to be a friend of Saddam Hussein's personal secretary, and also a friend of Saddam's son Qusay.
Now, also in custody is Tariq Aziz. He is the former deputy prime minister. Today, General Tommy Franks said that Tariq Aziz is talking to authorities. But he says at this point, the U.S. doesn't know how much to believe of what Aziz is saying. Franks made his comments as he and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld took a tour through the region, their first stop today was at the United Arab Emirates. They are talking to leaders in the region about the future governance in Iraq, and also about the future U.S. military presence in the region. Franks indicated today there will be changes in that regard.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS, CMDR. U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: There is in each place the secretary visits, and in the dialogues that he has, as well as the ones that I have with leaders in the region. There is an understanding that since the regime in Iraq is gone, and since there will no longer be a need for Operation Northern Watch, and Southern Watch and so forth, that in the days and months ahead, there will likely be a rearrangement of the footprint in the region.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: Now, General Franks said he couldn't say at this point whether that footprint, as he called it, would be smaller. But he said the U.S. was looking for the highest payoff in the future. Now, on this trip, Franks and Rumsfeld will eventually be making stops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. But tomorrow the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld will be holding a town hall meeting with some U.S. soldiers in Doha. Anderson, back to you.
COOPER: Yes, actually, I attended a town hall meeting he did with soldiers in Doha a couple of months ago. And it was actually quite a fun event. He seems to really enjoy talking with the troops in the field. I want to ask you a little bit about the security situation on the ground in Iraq. Are you hearing anything from Pentagon officials of their assessment of the security situation?
MESERVE: Well, there was this ambush this morning in which four were injured in Baghdad, an indication that security is still a significant concern in Baghdad. Now, General Franks and the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld were asked about the security situation today. They offered the opinion that there have been tribal and religious animosities for decades in Iraq. And those are likely to continue. But they said the situation is better now than it was a week ago. And they project that it will continue to improve -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Jeanne Meserve at the Pentagon. Thanks 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
