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Air Raid Sirens in Kuwait
Aired March 20, 2003 - 04:30 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: And yes, air raid sirens have been heard in Kuwait at this hour. This is the first time we have report of that. As we have been telling you in the last hour or so, Dr. Sanjay Gupta reporting, he actually saw one of the missiles. And we now know it was two missiles that struck into Kuwait. Landed in the desert.
As of now, no reports of injuries, but we are getting this new report of air raid sirens heard in Kuwait City. We don't have any further information on it at this point. We're obviously checking on it and we'll bring it to you at events warrant.
Things are moving very quickly here at this hour, it is 4:30 here on the East Coast. We're going to get a check right now at the latest news on the strike on Iraq.
Actually, let's go to Bill Hemmer, live in Kuwait.
Bill?
BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm getting that word in, just about two minutes ago, in fact.
Just off to my right in downtown Kuwait City we can hear the sirens off in the distance. I don't know if our viewers can hear. We have a microphone place outside the balcony here. I'll be quiet for a moment, just in case you can pick them up.
Now dying down. They have been intermittent. They'll come back again shortly. A bit difficult to hear. There is a six-lane highway just below our location here that rumbles with traffic just about 24 hours a day. And again, that traffic moves again today. Significantly less that we have seen over the past several months.
People are out and moving, but nonetheless, we are getting word right now, because we can hear them in the distance. Civil defense systems set up here in Kuwait. The word went out several days ago. They wanted to inform the citizens that there would be a series of three sirens: one, intermittent; one, sustained; and then one after that would signal an all clear.
The siren I'm hearing right now indicates that danger is coming or danger is on the way. And as I canvass the horizon right now here, in Kuwait City, difficult for us to see anything. Who knows what it might be. But nevertheless the sirens have gone out.
Kuwaitis themselves, stocking up over the past two days, getting ready for this conflict. We're told the grocery stores last night were swamped. Items flying off the shelves. Some people here, some of our CNN colleagues had gone out to these stores. Some described the scene in certain supermarkets as chaos where virtually everything was taken off the shelves.
That may be a bit of an overstatement, because this is a desert country of 2 million people. And the majority, the greater majority of people, have stayed put. We've seen a run on the airports with flights packed, trying to get out ...
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: Bill, can I just interrupt you.
HEMMER: But by and large the greater number of Kuwaitis are staying put.
COLLINS: Bill?
HEMMER: Heidi, I hear you go ahead.
COLLINS: Just wondering, we want to remind everyone, you were talking about the three different alarms and the air raid signals that you hear.
HEMMER: Heidi?
COLLINS: Is this something -- right -- can you hear me, Bill?
HEMMER: All right, I cannot hear Atlanta. If I'm still up here -- I'll just let you know that the sirens -- thank you.
The sirens that we heard have now calmed down at this time. They have fallen quiet. What this means, we don't know. This happening just about five minutes ago. They went for about three to four minutes, but again, in the past 60 seconds or so, they have gone quiet.
Our folks here in Kuwait canvassing the city right now and as soon as we get more information on this we'll pass it along to you.
We had anticipated at this time the former information minister to join us as a guest. And just as soon as we can get him wired up, perhaps, we can get you more news on this.
Again, just to repeat. Five minutes ago, we did hear the sirens warning us of the possibility of incoming danger. But at this point the sirens have gone quiet.
More when we get it here, Heidi.
COLLINS: Bill, I'm going to try again, in case you can hear me.
HEMMER: Sure.
COLLINS: Just wondering if this is the type of sound that you are hearing that it is time for you to get your gas mask on, and if not, when will that be or what type of signal is that? HEMMER: We have an extensive network, Heidi, set up here. Drills that we have gone over and rehearsed extensively with our colleagues here and the assistance we're getting with from security personnel. They are on it. If they get an indication they will let us know ASAP.
I can tell you this, as journalists working here, Heidi, we're taking no small chances in this matter. We have been trained and drilled to get ready to in the event of chemical or biological attack. All of us keep a gas mask on our hip, right near us, 24 hours a day. If we get that word, certainly we'll take precautions, but at this point it doesn't appear, at this point, that we need to go to that.
Just to reiterate, the sirens have gone silent right now, which could be an indication that things right now are in the clear.
COLLINS: All right, I'm happy to hear that.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi, just as I say that I'm hearing them once again in the background. It is the same tone that we heard before, indicating that danger may be in coming. Danger may be on the way. If the cadence of this siren changes, that will be a clear indication to us that danger is here. That's the code that has gone out by the Kuwait defense ministry. And when we get it, the information that we're looking for, we will bring it along to you.
But no indication right now that as to what this means. Now in the past 90 minutes, just who our viewers know in case they are just joining us. Dr. Sanjay Gupta a physician with the U.S. Marines, out in the desert, did indicate that at least two missiles came flying form the north, overhead, in a southerly direction that landed anywhere between 40 and 50 miles south of the Iraqi border in the northern Kuwaiti desert. No casualties as a result of that.
I'm hearing a loudspeaker behind me, Heidi, if you allow me. That's a police cruiser going down that highway with the sirens on. What this all means, we can't tell you. The national guard came out in force, 24 hours ago. They put about 100 armored cars at various intersections throughout Kuwait City. They put about 1,000 troops along with them just in case Kuwait needs to be beefed up with security.
This country in now way takes their duty right now with any less degree than they have recently. And here's why Kuwaitis will tell you after the invasion of Iraq in August of 1990 they felt as if they lost their freedom and they do not want to lose that again.
The sirens are still going off in the background with that same cadence that indicates danger might be on the way.
If you excuse me a second here, just want to have a glance across the city. Local time here, 12:35 in the afternoon. There is traffic on the highways.
Thank you, Christiane, get to Sanjay, one moment here.
I don't want to give anyone the impression that the city is closed down or shut its doors. People are out. We saw people even going to work earlier today. But obviously a very personal decision as to what you do here in Kuwait and how you respond and react.
I mentioned, Sanjay. Let's get to him, back again, by the way of telephone. He's with the U.S. Marines in the northern Kuwaiti desert.
And Sanjay, I'm not sure if you're hearing what I'm hearing in Kuwait City. But from your perspective what do you have for us?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, two hours and 10 minutes (ph) ago, we were walking around the camp here, Camp Iwo Jima, which is in the northern desert of Kuwait.
And we heard and saw something, heard something very loud, saw something moving very quickly, about 300 (ph) feet in the air (AUDIO GAP) confirmed to be a (AUDIO GAP) missile actually tracking from north to south, again, coming from the north (AUDIO GAP) somewhere south of us.
We were given the bunker call and the gas mask call. We spent about an hour with our gas masks and out gear in the bunkers. (AUDIO GAP).
Subsequently saw a (AUDIO GAP) take off. (AUDIO GAP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please standby.
GUPTA: (AUDIO GAP) Just a few minutes ago some live shots and we heard bunker (AUDIO GAP) again. We are in the bunkers again now with our gear. We had subsequent missiles inbound.
(AUDIO GAP)
And Bill, maybe you can (AUDIO GAP). We are not walking out of the bunkers. It was first time that the Marines -- it was the first time that the Marines (AUDIO GAP) have ever actually done the bunker for the real thing. They have done several drills in the past but this is the real thing and the first time for them.
Bill?
HEMMER: Sanjay, thanks. Listen I just want to, once again, remind viewers what we're hearing here in Kuwait City. The sirens over the past several minutes; they have come in two sets of two different waves. The first one lasted about three to four minutes. It has since died down. Quickly after that we heard the sirens start yet again.
What this all means is not clear right now, but Kuwait City is on a war footing. Earlier today we took a drive out about 35 miles right near Sanjay's location, just south of where he is with the U.S. Marines. There was a heavy police presence here. We saw police cars stationed about every half as we drove out. The army is out in force showing a strong sense of security at various intersections and thoroughfares. The national guard, I mentioned a few moments ago, out as well. Kuwait says that they are much better fortified and much better prepared than they were 13 years ago, August of 1990, when upwards of 300,000 Iraqi soldiers came into this small country and occupied it for a period of five months.
To sum it up, Heidi, at this point. The sirens, the second wave has come and gone. When we hear it again we'll get back to you. At this point, though, we do not know what this may indicate, if anything right now -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Bill, can I ask you just real quickly, what is your confidence level. As far as I know that that gear is not very easy to put on. Do you have something like nine seconds to do it. I know that you guys have practiced, every single one of you that are over there have practiced this. I'm just curious from your personal perspective on that, what's your confidence level?
HEMMER: Yes, I tell you, Heidi, I'm going to step out of the picture for just a second here. Just to let you know. This is mine; we've all got them, photographers, producers, reporters, here in Kuwait City. We can do this in less than nine seconds, to get these on, in the event that we are told to wear them.
The U.S. military, for its part, has it on their hip, as well, 24 hours a day. Said to be the finest in the world, cost you about 150 bucks a pop. In fact, I mentioned last hour, the U.S. military has so much confidence and trust in these that they just put a new order in for 4 million more.
Here is the situation, though, when we are told to put these on, these respirators, we will follow orders as diligently and as quickly as possible. This is your number one defense in the event that chemical or biological attack were to occur. This goes on first and after that we have our chemical suits that we can apply.
We've drilled, we've trained, our colleagues have all done it. We have security personal who know this stuff much better than any of us. And in the event that we were to wear these, certainly we would not be too far behind.
Heidi, just to let you know, right now, now the third wave of sirens -- now sounding in the difference in downtown Kuwait City. I know it is tough for some of our viewers to hear. We have a microphone up the balcony here. I'll be quiet for just a second. Perhaps you can pick it up.
Now it goes down, it should go back up again. I can hear it from my location. It might be difficult for you there is traffic off the balcony here that drowns out a lot of that sound.
Let's see, Ryan Chilcote, embedded with the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division in northern Kuwait, let's get to Ryan quickly.
Ryan, I don't know if you have any information on what's happening here in downtown Kuwait City, but from your vantage point, what do you have for us right now? RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I can tell you, it is a little bit difficult. I'm wearing a gas mask right now. So, I'll have to apologize for the muffled sound.
Just getting some information. Three Patriot Missiles, we are being told just now, were fired from Camp Thunder (ph). Apparently, according to a gentleman speaking right now, intercepted an inbound rocket. No reports of casualties. This is being told, right in my ear right now, by a soldier.
I'm inside of a bunker. A lot of people a lot happier now than they were just two minutes ago. Just two minutes ago we heard an alarm, a very shrill alarm. One of three different alarms that they use. That alarm that we heard is used to indicate a ground attack or some kind of missile attack. When soldiers hear that they are immediately to put on their gas masks.
That is what we did. And everybody headed for the bunker. We're now hiding (MUFFLED). Hiding in a bunker, but we've just been told, just moments ago, that there was a Patriot, some Patriots went off and intercepted the missile.
I would caution that this is very initial information. Apparently, it is coming from a soldier with a radio sitting next to me inside of a bunker.
Bill, back to you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Talk to me on the other line.
HEMMER: Listen, Ryan. OK, Ryan, listen.
Give it to me again, in my ear, will you, Atlanta?
OK, listen, Ryan, hang with us one second. You mentioned these Patriot missiles. I don't know if you have any information about Patriots being assembled right now and displayed there in the Kuwaiti desert.
What we do know at Camp Doha, which is the largest and oldest facility in Kuwait, set up shortly after the end and the conclusion of the liberation of Kuwait back in 1991. There are Patriot missiles batteries by the dozen surrounding, virtually ringing that area of Camp Doha. Do you know if the Patriot missiles have been deployed in the northern desert, other than the ones that we have known have been stationed at Camp Doha?
We are now hearing another -- that's an all-clear alarm, I have now. Could you hear me?
HEMMER: Yes, I sure can, Ryan. Thank you. We heard the most important element of that report and that is that the all-clear signal has been sounded. The all-clear signal for Ryan Chilcote, now embedded with the 101st Airborne Division.
Ryan, thanks. We'll get back with Ryan just as soon as he gets more information for us.
We heard another wave of sirens go trickling through here a short time ago. It is now falling silent. There is a bell. Some sort of alarm ringing on the street below. What that has to do with this right now is quite uncertain, perhaps nothing.
It is almost 15 minutes to the hour of 1 o'clock, early afternoon hours here in Kuwait City. This waive of sirens, Heidi, went off about 12:30 local time, which is roughly 14 minutes ago. Three separate waves at this point, though, nothing has been sounded in Kuwait City. Perhaps that is a good sign for all of us stationed here in the Kuwaiti capitol.
Heidi, back to you.
COOPER: Actually, Bill, it's Anderson, with Heidi here in Atlanta. I have a question for you, you know, we have seen in Israel, preparations families make with the gas masks that are distributed by the government. In Kuwait, for the Kuwaiti people, and all those foreign workers, who live in Kuwait, who work in Kuwait what sort of preparations are there for them? Have they been distributed gas masks? What can you tell us?
HEMMER: A lot of public complaints, in fact, over the past two weeks, Anderson. We are told that the Kuwait government has commissioned about 200,000 gas masks, which comes no where near close to covering the 2 million people who claim Kuwait as their home. We should point out that many of these people -- OK, now let me break off of this, Anderson.
Getting in my ear right now, Sanjay Gupta embedded with the U.S. Marines, Camp Iwo Jima, south of the Iraqi border, has been told an order to get back in the bunker at that camp. This is a facility stationed about 20, maybe 30 miles south of the Iraqi border. Sanjay joined up with his unit yesterday. And in the past several hours he reported firsthand from Camp Iwo Jima, these two missiles flying overhead, coming from the north, trailing overhead about 300 feet off the desert sand and going south.
We know based on the reporting we're getting that these missiles landed somewhere in the desert. No reports of casualties, be it injuries or fatalities. And certainly, that is a good sign. At the time, Sanjay and the Marines were told to put on their gas masks, take cover in the bunkers. But a short time later, possibly 45 minutes after that order went out, the all-clear signal was given.
Now getting indications that they are back in that defensive posture, yet again. And once we get our connection with Sanjay, we'll try to get the latest information to you from him.
Back to the point of gas masks, here in Kuwait, Anderson. I can tell you 200,000 does not cover the 2 million covered here. A lot of the foreign nationals who work here, be it Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Indians, Egyptians, have voiced concerns to the Kuwaiti government, saying in Israel they provided a gas mask for every citizen living within Israel proper, but that has not been the follow through case here.
Why that is slow in coming is unclear right now. But certainly the subject of a lot of criticism is directed toward the Kuwaiti government.
Kelly McCann is back with us again, our CNN analyst who handles security matters with us at CNN.
Kelly, I know you're back in Washington, D.C. Just to let you know, I'm certain you've been listening over the past 20 minutes. The sirens in three different ways have come and gone right now. It appears, though, knowing that Kuwait City is virtually on the front lines of yet another conflict in the Persian Gulf, it should come as no surprise.
Your perspective there, from half a world away, right now?
KELLY MCCANN, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: Two important points, Bill. One is, of course, the principle in combat of uncertainty. I mean, there will always be uncertainty and it is certainly your experience in that in Kuwait City right now.
But secondly, this is to be expected. It is H&I fire, or harassing and interdicting fire. Basically, I'm sure the Iraqis intend to harass all day long to ensure that if an attack goes at night that the U.S. troops would be less than 100 percent. This is to keep them off balance. It is to, like a stop-hit (ph), it is to keep them unstable, uncertain, right up until the time they go. This is where, again, that chess game continues, but this is doctrinal.
HEMMER: Yes, Kelly, do you give much credence to the thought from some military analyst that the Iraqis would only fire Scuds, only fire missiles at nighttime as opposed to daytime, only because it would give it the appearance anyway, on the Iraqi position, and the Iraqi side of the border -- OK, hold on, Kelly, one second.
Ryan is back with us. Ryan Chilcote, embedded with the 101st.
Ryan, what is happening now?
CHILCOTE: I don't know how much you were able to hear of what I was saying earlier, Bill. I was wearing a gas mask.
What happened about 15 minutes ago, an alarm when off. It was one of -- there are three different alarms that the U.S. military uses to indicate threats. This, I'm told, and this is very initial information, because all we did was throw on our masks very quickly and run for the nearest shelter, was the sound, the alarm of a ground attack.
Now there weren't any other indications of an attack underway or any kind of a missile attack of any nature. But we did put on our masks and like all the other soldiers, probably about three dozen right next to me, and headed for the nearest bunker.
Inside the bunker, we were told about five minutes later by a soldier with a radio that we were going to get the all-clear alarm. That some Patriot missiles had been fired and that they had intercepted a rocket. Now, this is very initial information. I have no way of confirming this. I didn't see any of this. But this is what just happened to me and group of soldiers I was next to, we were told first that -- well we heard a very loud alarm that indicated some kind of attack. We put on our masks. We ran for the nearest shelter. We went inside and then a soldier a short while later came up and said that they have a report information that some patriot missiles were fired off and that they intercepted an incoming rocket. I don't have anything really a whole lot more than that except for that shortly after that a very another very loud alarm went off. That was indicating all-clear and a very group of -- very relieved group of soldiers and journalists walked out of the shelter taking off their masks -- Bill.
HEMMER: All right, Ryan. Good news there. Ryan Chilcote embedded with the 101st Airborne Division. Ryan's been with them for weeks now starting back upon their departure date, back in the state of Kentucky. The all-clear has been given here in Kuwait City as well. No more sirens. They have fallen silent right now after they started up again about 20 minutes ago.
Back with Kelly McCann. Kelly, I want to know, from your perspective, do you buy into the theory that the Iraqis would much rather hold their fire in terms of missiles or incoming scuds until nighttime to make them a more illusive target to find those fighter jets patrolling in the skies overhead. Your thoughts on that theory.
MCCANN: Depends on the point of the exercise, Bill. In other words, if the point right now is to hold or to keep the asymmetry going, in other words how many times are you going to do that drill today, get in your suit, get out of your suit, get into your bunker, get out of your bunker, waiting and staging. The whole thing being fatiguing. If their point is to harass, then I think that they are probably going to do this and risk those transporter erector launchers that are so elusive.
I mean they admit no signal until they turn on fire and then they're broken down and they're moving again. So they're very, very difficult to find anyway, even in daylight hours. It all depends on the point of their exercise.
HEMMER: Yes. Listen the Patriot missile batteries a lot of criticism over the past dozen years. Some suggesting that they have nowhere near the effectiveness as it was sold to us anyway, during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Do you believe right now the technology with inside the patriot has been ramped up to a degree that makes it significantly more successful and significantly more capable of knocking missiles from the sky based on the advanced technology that's been put in these patriots over the past dozen years.
MCCANN: Yes. This is a different armament than it was and significantly enhancements, we obviously have joint unit lessons learned and the performance of equipment in the last Gulf War was carefully scrutinized and then there were significant inputs made. I mean still war has an element of chance that can't be reasoned with but it also favors neither combatant. So there's chance on our side and there's chance on opposing forces.
The bottom line is, is that I think we have the best equipment in the world, the U.S. forces do, and right now you're seeing an amazing game of chess.
HEMMER: Kelly, thanks. Kelly McCann, again, our Security Analyst. He will be with us throughout this entire conflict from his post in Washington D.C.
Let's button up a few things here in Kuwait City. Sirens going off 22 minutes ago. They have fallen silent now. The all-clear has been given in Kuwait City. Likewise for Ryan Chilcote and unclear right now what's happening with the marines and Sanjay Gupta.
But as Kelly points out and he makes a great point to, Anderson and Heidi, we can expect drills like these to happen over the course of this conflict and often times, perhaps many times, more times than not they will be false alarms. It was not a false alarm three hours ago when we got the report from Sanjay about these two missiles being fired overhead 300 feet off the desert floor, landing harmlessly we're told with no fatalities and no injuries to report.
Again, the all-clear signal has been given. Experts tell us expect a 90 percent chance that Kuwait City, at some point, will come under attack. Now that may sound very, very high but keep in mind it's a big place out here. We're talking about it being a tiny desert country but it's a rather place, about the size of New Jersey. And although 90 percent may sound like a very high percentage, the chances of a direct hit, we are told, are very, very small. Heidi, Anderson back to you at the (INAUDIBLE).
COOPER: All right, Bill. Thanks.
COLLINS: Thank you Bill. We are going to check in now with Chris Plante who is coming to us from the Pentagon. We are not going to do that. We're going to talk to Sanjay Gupta.
Sanjay, we want to know, first of all, if you're all right and what the very latest is coming to us from Kuwait.
GUPTA: Yeah. Good morning. We're doing just fine here. There's been three bunker calls now, the first being at about 10:28 this morning. We've certainly talked about that one quite a bit. There have been two bunker calls after that. What that means basically is when a bunker call happens, everyone is told to put on all of their gear including cavalier, helmets and run to the closest bunker. The first bunker call lasted approximately 45 minutes. During that time, it was confirmed that more than one missile had actually been -- came from the north to the south, it landed somewhere south of us. That's between Kuwait City and here.
Someone just handed me a news release from the marines. It says an unidentified missile struck outside Camp Commando at approximately 10:28 this morning. A N.B.C. monitor team, that's nuclear, biological and chemical team was dispatched. No evidence of chemical munitions were found. No marines were killed or injured either. That's what we can confirm from that first missile launch that we saw this morning.
We actually saw that missile at about 10:28. It appeared to be grayish-green. It had three yellow stripes from the best observations that we could tell. Again, no chemical munitions that we have heard about so far. No injuries or causalities, although we did see a Medevac helicopter actually take off about 300 meters from here.
And, again, we are here in the northern desert of Kuwait, Camp Iwo Jima, part of Camp Coyote (ph). Back to you.
COLLINS: Sanjay, I want to ask you. We've been talking with our security analyst, Kelly McCann, who talked a little bit about what that was going to be like, putting on all of your gear, taking it off, getting into a bunker, getting out. He talked a little bit about harassment by the Iraqis. Tell us what that's like. Is it very tiring?
GUPTA: Yes, it's very tiring. There's no question about it. It's very hot. The gas masks makes it difficult to talk. It's just very warm in there. It's obviously very tense as well just because this -- today, at 10:28, was the first time that the bunker-bunker- bunker call was for real. No doubt these marines have been training for this for quite some time, months, here in the desert but that was the first real bunker call. So very expected, sort of anticipatory mood as well. But it's just hot. It's hard to run around in this stuff. It's hard to put all this gear on and off. We've done this three times now. The second two bunker calls weren't nearly as long but it is certainly a bit frustrating.
What I can tell you as well, Heidi, is that I'm hearing sirens off in the distance, to some extent, around here. We heard those sirens start just before this last bunker call.
COLLINS: All right. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks so much for the update. We, of course, will keep checking in with your.
COOPER: And we're going to go to Ryan Chilcote who is with the 101st Airborne in northern Kuwait.
Ryan, what do you have for us?
CHILCOTE: Well the dust is settling here and I've just learned now from a gentleman who -- a soldier who was at the radio that one -- at least one patriot missile was fired from a nearby camp. Initial reports were that three had been fired and that they had intercepted an incoming rocket. Now that is not what I'm hearing but still information obviously very sketching.
What I've now -- have now heard from two sources is that at least one patriot missile was fired from a nearby camp. The soldier that I was speaking with that was on the radio said, well, it couldn't -- he said it couldn't be a false launch. Such things don't exist with patriots. I don't know if that's true. I'm not in a position to judge that.
I do know, however, that there was just about 20 minutes ago here a very loud alarm. It's the alarm used to indicate a scud attack. I was standing next to a group of soldiers. We were just sitting around, all of a sudden, within just the nine allotted seconds that you have, we all had our gas masks on. We were all heading for the bunker. That's what you do. That's the soldiers instructions should there be a scud attack alarm. You're to immediately head for the bunker. So we're still waiting. The dust is still settling. Obviously, I don't think the picture is entirely clear yet. But, clearly, something did happen here.
COOPER: Well that's -- you know at this stage, it's often little pieces of information coming in from all the different sources and it's a question of trying to put them together in some sort of coherent pattern, often the people in the different spots don't see the larger picture and that's why we appreciate all these different reports from CNN correspondents embedded with all these different units. Ryan Chilcote with the 101st trying to put the pieces together exactly what is happening.
What we can tell you, at this point, two -- it's been confirmed by the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry, two missiles were fired into Kuwait, apparently land in the desert. At this point, we've heard of no causalities. Air raid sirens going off several times in Kuwait City. We've heard that from Bill Hemmer. Ryan Chilcote reporting, also Dr. Sanjay Gupta with his unit reporting in northern Iraq that these air raid sirens continue sporadically. They have to don their equipment and go back into the bunkers. It's sort of this harassment at this stage is what it seems like.
COLLINS: That's right. Not an easy thing. And it's certainly -- the timetable has increased. Things moving very, very quickly as we've been saying from the very beginning.
What we want to do now before we sign off, at least for Anderson and myself, we want to hear from President Bush one more time. This is the address that he made to the nation at 10:15 last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions of war or rules or morality. Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military. A final atrocity against his people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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Aired March 20, 2003 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: And yes, air raid sirens have been heard in Kuwait at this hour. This is the first time we have report of that. As we have been telling you in the last hour or so, Dr. Sanjay Gupta reporting, he actually saw one of the missiles. And we now know it was two missiles that struck into Kuwait. Landed in the desert.
As of now, no reports of injuries, but we are getting this new report of air raid sirens heard in Kuwait City. We don't have any further information on it at this point. We're obviously checking on it and we'll bring it to you at events warrant.
Things are moving very quickly here at this hour, it is 4:30 here on the East Coast. We're going to get a check right now at the latest news on the strike on Iraq.
Actually, let's go to Bill Hemmer, live in Kuwait.
Bill?
BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm getting that word in, just about two minutes ago, in fact.
Just off to my right in downtown Kuwait City we can hear the sirens off in the distance. I don't know if our viewers can hear. We have a microphone place outside the balcony here. I'll be quiet for a moment, just in case you can pick them up.
Now dying down. They have been intermittent. They'll come back again shortly. A bit difficult to hear. There is a six-lane highway just below our location here that rumbles with traffic just about 24 hours a day. And again, that traffic moves again today. Significantly less that we have seen over the past several months.
People are out and moving, but nonetheless, we are getting word right now, because we can hear them in the distance. Civil defense systems set up here in Kuwait. The word went out several days ago. They wanted to inform the citizens that there would be a series of three sirens: one, intermittent; one, sustained; and then one after that would signal an all clear.
The siren I'm hearing right now indicates that danger is coming or danger is on the way. And as I canvass the horizon right now here, in Kuwait City, difficult for us to see anything. Who knows what it might be. But nevertheless the sirens have gone out.
Kuwaitis themselves, stocking up over the past two days, getting ready for this conflict. We're told the grocery stores last night were swamped. Items flying off the shelves. Some people here, some of our CNN colleagues had gone out to these stores. Some described the scene in certain supermarkets as chaos where virtually everything was taken off the shelves.
That may be a bit of an overstatement, because this is a desert country of 2 million people. And the majority, the greater majority of people, have stayed put. We've seen a run on the airports with flights packed, trying to get out ...
(CROSSTALK)
COLLINS: Bill, can I just interrupt you.
HEMMER: But by and large the greater number of Kuwaitis are staying put.
COLLINS: Bill?
HEMMER: Heidi, I hear you go ahead.
COLLINS: Just wondering, we want to remind everyone, you were talking about the three different alarms and the air raid signals that you hear.
HEMMER: Heidi?
COLLINS: Is this something -- right -- can you hear me, Bill?
HEMMER: All right, I cannot hear Atlanta. If I'm still up here -- I'll just let you know that the sirens -- thank you.
The sirens that we heard have now calmed down at this time. They have fallen quiet. What this means, we don't know. This happening just about five minutes ago. They went for about three to four minutes, but again, in the past 60 seconds or so, they have gone quiet.
Our folks here in Kuwait canvassing the city right now and as soon as we get more information on this we'll pass it along to you.
We had anticipated at this time the former information minister to join us as a guest. And just as soon as we can get him wired up, perhaps, we can get you more news on this.
Again, just to repeat. Five minutes ago, we did hear the sirens warning us of the possibility of incoming danger. But at this point the sirens have gone quiet.
More when we get it here, Heidi.
COLLINS: Bill, I'm going to try again, in case you can hear me.
HEMMER: Sure.
COLLINS: Just wondering if this is the type of sound that you are hearing that it is time for you to get your gas mask on, and if not, when will that be or what type of signal is that? HEMMER: We have an extensive network, Heidi, set up here. Drills that we have gone over and rehearsed extensively with our colleagues here and the assistance we're getting with from security personnel. They are on it. If they get an indication they will let us know ASAP.
I can tell you this, as journalists working here, Heidi, we're taking no small chances in this matter. We have been trained and drilled to get ready to in the event of chemical or biological attack. All of us keep a gas mask on our hip, right near us, 24 hours a day. If we get that word, certainly we'll take precautions, but at this point it doesn't appear, at this point, that we need to go to that.
Just to reiterate, the sirens have gone silent right now, which could be an indication that things right now are in the clear.
COLLINS: All right, I'm happy to hear that.
HEMMER: All right, Heidi, just as I say that I'm hearing them once again in the background. It is the same tone that we heard before, indicating that danger may be in coming. Danger may be on the way. If the cadence of this siren changes, that will be a clear indication to us that danger is here. That's the code that has gone out by the Kuwait defense ministry. And when we get it, the information that we're looking for, we will bring it along to you.
But no indication right now that as to what this means. Now in the past 90 minutes, just who our viewers know in case they are just joining us. Dr. Sanjay Gupta a physician with the U.S. Marines, out in the desert, did indicate that at least two missiles came flying form the north, overhead, in a southerly direction that landed anywhere between 40 and 50 miles south of the Iraqi border in the northern Kuwaiti desert. No casualties as a result of that.
I'm hearing a loudspeaker behind me, Heidi, if you allow me. That's a police cruiser going down that highway with the sirens on. What this all means, we can't tell you. The national guard came out in force, 24 hours ago. They put about 100 armored cars at various intersections throughout Kuwait City. They put about 1,000 troops along with them just in case Kuwait needs to be beefed up with security.
This country in now way takes their duty right now with any less degree than they have recently. And here's why Kuwaitis will tell you after the invasion of Iraq in August of 1990 they felt as if they lost their freedom and they do not want to lose that again.
The sirens are still going off in the background with that same cadence that indicates danger might be on the way.
If you excuse me a second here, just want to have a glance across the city. Local time here, 12:35 in the afternoon. There is traffic on the highways.
Thank you, Christiane, get to Sanjay, one moment here.
I don't want to give anyone the impression that the city is closed down or shut its doors. People are out. We saw people even going to work earlier today. But obviously a very personal decision as to what you do here in Kuwait and how you respond and react.
I mentioned, Sanjay. Let's get to him, back again, by the way of telephone. He's with the U.S. Marines in the northern Kuwaiti desert.
And Sanjay, I'm not sure if you're hearing what I'm hearing in Kuwait City. But from your perspective what do you have for us?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, two hours and 10 minutes (ph) ago, we were walking around the camp here, Camp Iwo Jima, which is in the northern desert of Kuwait.
And we heard and saw something, heard something very loud, saw something moving very quickly, about 300 (ph) feet in the air (AUDIO GAP) confirmed to be a (AUDIO GAP) missile actually tracking from north to south, again, coming from the north (AUDIO GAP) somewhere south of us.
We were given the bunker call and the gas mask call. We spent about an hour with our gas masks and out gear in the bunkers. (AUDIO GAP).
Subsequently saw a (AUDIO GAP) take off. (AUDIO GAP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please standby.
GUPTA: (AUDIO GAP) Just a few minutes ago some live shots and we heard bunker (AUDIO GAP) again. We are in the bunkers again now with our gear. We had subsequent missiles inbound.
(AUDIO GAP)
And Bill, maybe you can (AUDIO GAP). We are not walking out of the bunkers. It was first time that the Marines -- it was the first time that the Marines (AUDIO GAP) have ever actually done the bunker for the real thing. They have done several drills in the past but this is the real thing and the first time for them.
Bill?
HEMMER: Sanjay, thanks. Listen I just want to, once again, remind viewers what we're hearing here in Kuwait City. The sirens over the past several minutes; they have come in two sets of two different waves. The first one lasted about three to four minutes. It has since died down. Quickly after that we heard the sirens start yet again.
What this all means is not clear right now, but Kuwait City is on a war footing. Earlier today we took a drive out about 35 miles right near Sanjay's location, just south of where he is with the U.S. Marines. There was a heavy police presence here. We saw police cars stationed about every half as we drove out. The army is out in force showing a strong sense of security at various intersections and thoroughfares. The national guard, I mentioned a few moments ago, out as well. Kuwait says that they are much better fortified and much better prepared than they were 13 years ago, August of 1990, when upwards of 300,000 Iraqi soldiers came into this small country and occupied it for a period of five months.
To sum it up, Heidi, at this point. The sirens, the second wave has come and gone. When we hear it again we'll get back to you. At this point, though, we do not know what this may indicate, if anything right now -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Bill, can I ask you just real quickly, what is your confidence level. As far as I know that that gear is not very easy to put on. Do you have something like nine seconds to do it. I know that you guys have practiced, every single one of you that are over there have practiced this. I'm just curious from your personal perspective on that, what's your confidence level?
HEMMER: Yes, I tell you, Heidi, I'm going to step out of the picture for just a second here. Just to let you know. This is mine; we've all got them, photographers, producers, reporters, here in Kuwait City. We can do this in less than nine seconds, to get these on, in the event that we are told to wear them.
The U.S. military, for its part, has it on their hip, as well, 24 hours a day. Said to be the finest in the world, cost you about 150 bucks a pop. In fact, I mentioned last hour, the U.S. military has so much confidence and trust in these that they just put a new order in for 4 million more.
Here is the situation, though, when we are told to put these on, these respirators, we will follow orders as diligently and as quickly as possible. This is your number one defense in the event that chemical or biological attack were to occur. This goes on first and after that we have our chemical suits that we can apply.
We've drilled, we've trained, our colleagues have all done it. We have security personal who know this stuff much better than any of us. And in the event that we were to wear these, certainly we would not be too far behind.
Heidi, just to let you know, right now, now the third wave of sirens -- now sounding in the difference in downtown Kuwait City. I know it is tough for some of our viewers to hear. We have a microphone up the balcony here. I'll be quiet for just a second. Perhaps you can pick it up.
Now it goes down, it should go back up again. I can hear it from my location. It might be difficult for you there is traffic off the balcony here that drowns out a lot of that sound.
Let's see, Ryan Chilcote, embedded with the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division in northern Kuwait, let's get to Ryan quickly.
Ryan, I don't know if you have any information on what's happening here in downtown Kuwait City, but from your vantage point, what do you have for us right now? RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I can tell you, it is a little bit difficult. I'm wearing a gas mask right now. So, I'll have to apologize for the muffled sound.
Just getting some information. Three Patriot Missiles, we are being told just now, were fired from Camp Thunder (ph). Apparently, according to a gentleman speaking right now, intercepted an inbound rocket. No reports of casualties. This is being told, right in my ear right now, by a soldier.
I'm inside of a bunker. A lot of people a lot happier now than they were just two minutes ago. Just two minutes ago we heard an alarm, a very shrill alarm. One of three different alarms that they use. That alarm that we heard is used to indicate a ground attack or some kind of missile attack. When soldiers hear that they are immediately to put on their gas masks.
That is what we did. And everybody headed for the bunker. We're now hiding (MUFFLED). Hiding in a bunker, but we've just been told, just moments ago, that there was a Patriot, some Patriots went off and intercepted the missile.
I would caution that this is very initial information. Apparently, it is coming from a soldier with a radio sitting next to me inside of a bunker.
Bill, back to you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Talk to me on the other line.
HEMMER: Listen, Ryan. OK, Ryan, listen.
Give it to me again, in my ear, will you, Atlanta?
OK, listen, Ryan, hang with us one second. You mentioned these Patriot missiles. I don't know if you have any information about Patriots being assembled right now and displayed there in the Kuwaiti desert.
What we do know at Camp Doha, which is the largest and oldest facility in Kuwait, set up shortly after the end and the conclusion of the liberation of Kuwait back in 1991. There are Patriot missiles batteries by the dozen surrounding, virtually ringing that area of Camp Doha. Do you know if the Patriot missiles have been deployed in the northern desert, other than the ones that we have known have been stationed at Camp Doha?
We are now hearing another -- that's an all-clear alarm, I have now. Could you hear me?
HEMMER: Yes, I sure can, Ryan. Thank you. We heard the most important element of that report and that is that the all-clear signal has been sounded. The all-clear signal for Ryan Chilcote, now embedded with the 101st Airborne Division.
Ryan, thanks. We'll get back with Ryan just as soon as he gets more information for us.
We heard another wave of sirens go trickling through here a short time ago. It is now falling silent. There is a bell. Some sort of alarm ringing on the street below. What that has to do with this right now is quite uncertain, perhaps nothing.
It is almost 15 minutes to the hour of 1 o'clock, early afternoon hours here in Kuwait City. This waive of sirens, Heidi, went off about 12:30 local time, which is roughly 14 minutes ago. Three separate waves at this point, though, nothing has been sounded in Kuwait City. Perhaps that is a good sign for all of us stationed here in the Kuwaiti capitol.
Heidi, back to you.
COOPER: Actually, Bill, it's Anderson, with Heidi here in Atlanta. I have a question for you, you know, we have seen in Israel, preparations families make with the gas masks that are distributed by the government. In Kuwait, for the Kuwaiti people, and all those foreign workers, who live in Kuwait, who work in Kuwait what sort of preparations are there for them? Have they been distributed gas masks? What can you tell us?
HEMMER: A lot of public complaints, in fact, over the past two weeks, Anderson. We are told that the Kuwait government has commissioned about 200,000 gas masks, which comes no where near close to covering the 2 million people who claim Kuwait as their home. We should point out that many of these people -- OK, now let me break off of this, Anderson.
Getting in my ear right now, Sanjay Gupta embedded with the U.S. Marines, Camp Iwo Jima, south of the Iraqi border, has been told an order to get back in the bunker at that camp. This is a facility stationed about 20, maybe 30 miles south of the Iraqi border. Sanjay joined up with his unit yesterday. And in the past several hours he reported firsthand from Camp Iwo Jima, these two missiles flying overhead, coming from the north, trailing overhead about 300 feet off the desert sand and going south.
We know based on the reporting we're getting that these missiles landed somewhere in the desert. No reports of casualties, be it injuries or fatalities. And certainly, that is a good sign. At the time, Sanjay and the Marines were told to put on their gas masks, take cover in the bunkers. But a short time later, possibly 45 minutes after that order went out, the all-clear signal was given.
Now getting indications that they are back in that defensive posture, yet again. And once we get our connection with Sanjay, we'll try to get the latest information to you from him.
Back to the point of gas masks, here in Kuwait, Anderson. I can tell you 200,000 does not cover the 2 million covered here. A lot of the foreign nationals who work here, be it Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Indians, Egyptians, have voiced concerns to the Kuwaiti government, saying in Israel they provided a gas mask for every citizen living within Israel proper, but that has not been the follow through case here.
Why that is slow in coming is unclear right now. But certainly the subject of a lot of criticism is directed toward the Kuwaiti government.
Kelly McCann is back with us again, our CNN analyst who handles security matters with us at CNN.
Kelly, I know you're back in Washington, D.C. Just to let you know, I'm certain you've been listening over the past 20 minutes. The sirens in three different ways have come and gone right now. It appears, though, knowing that Kuwait City is virtually on the front lines of yet another conflict in the Persian Gulf, it should come as no surprise.
Your perspective there, from half a world away, right now?
KELLY MCCANN, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: Two important points, Bill. One is, of course, the principle in combat of uncertainty. I mean, there will always be uncertainty and it is certainly your experience in that in Kuwait City right now.
But secondly, this is to be expected. It is H&I fire, or harassing and interdicting fire. Basically, I'm sure the Iraqis intend to harass all day long to ensure that if an attack goes at night that the U.S. troops would be less than 100 percent. This is to keep them off balance. It is to, like a stop-hit (ph), it is to keep them unstable, uncertain, right up until the time they go. This is where, again, that chess game continues, but this is doctrinal.
HEMMER: Yes, Kelly, do you give much credence to the thought from some military analyst that the Iraqis would only fire Scuds, only fire missiles at nighttime as opposed to daytime, only because it would give it the appearance anyway, on the Iraqi position, and the Iraqi side of the border -- OK, hold on, Kelly, one second.
Ryan is back with us. Ryan Chilcote, embedded with the 101st.
Ryan, what is happening now?
CHILCOTE: I don't know how much you were able to hear of what I was saying earlier, Bill. I was wearing a gas mask.
What happened about 15 minutes ago, an alarm when off. It was one of -- there are three different alarms that the U.S. military uses to indicate threats. This, I'm told, and this is very initial information, because all we did was throw on our masks very quickly and run for the nearest shelter, was the sound, the alarm of a ground attack.
Now there weren't any other indications of an attack underway or any kind of a missile attack of any nature. But we did put on our masks and like all the other soldiers, probably about three dozen right next to me, and headed for the nearest bunker.
Inside the bunker, we were told about five minutes later by a soldier with a radio that we were going to get the all-clear alarm. That some Patriot missiles had been fired and that they had intercepted a rocket. Now, this is very initial information. I have no way of confirming this. I didn't see any of this. But this is what just happened to me and group of soldiers I was next to, we were told first that -- well we heard a very loud alarm that indicated some kind of attack. We put on our masks. We ran for the nearest shelter. We went inside and then a soldier a short while later came up and said that they have a report information that some patriot missiles were fired off and that they intercepted an incoming rocket. I don't have anything really a whole lot more than that except for that shortly after that a very another very loud alarm went off. That was indicating all-clear and a very group of -- very relieved group of soldiers and journalists walked out of the shelter taking off their masks -- Bill.
HEMMER: All right, Ryan. Good news there. Ryan Chilcote embedded with the 101st Airborne Division. Ryan's been with them for weeks now starting back upon their departure date, back in the state of Kentucky. The all-clear has been given here in Kuwait City as well. No more sirens. They have fallen silent right now after they started up again about 20 minutes ago.
Back with Kelly McCann. Kelly, I want to know, from your perspective, do you buy into the theory that the Iraqis would much rather hold their fire in terms of missiles or incoming scuds until nighttime to make them a more illusive target to find those fighter jets patrolling in the skies overhead. Your thoughts on that theory.
MCCANN: Depends on the point of the exercise, Bill. In other words, if the point right now is to hold or to keep the asymmetry going, in other words how many times are you going to do that drill today, get in your suit, get out of your suit, get into your bunker, get out of your bunker, waiting and staging. The whole thing being fatiguing. If their point is to harass, then I think that they are probably going to do this and risk those transporter erector launchers that are so elusive.
I mean they admit no signal until they turn on fire and then they're broken down and they're moving again. So they're very, very difficult to find anyway, even in daylight hours. It all depends on the point of their exercise.
HEMMER: Yes. Listen the Patriot missile batteries a lot of criticism over the past dozen years. Some suggesting that they have nowhere near the effectiveness as it was sold to us anyway, during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Do you believe right now the technology with inside the patriot has been ramped up to a degree that makes it significantly more successful and significantly more capable of knocking missiles from the sky based on the advanced technology that's been put in these patriots over the past dozen years.
MCCANN: Yes. This is a different armament than it was and significantly enhancements, we obviously have joint unit lessons learned and the performance of equipment in the last Gulf War was carefully scrutinized and then there were significant inputs made. I mean still war has an element of chance that can't be reasoned with but it also favors neither combatant. So there's chance on our side and there's chance on opposing forces.
The bottom line is, is that I think we have the best equipment in the world, the U.S. forces do, and right now you're seeing an amazing game of chess.
HEMMER: Kelly, thanks. Kelly McCann, again, our Security Analyst. He will be with us throughout this entire conflict from his post in Washington D.C.
Let's button up a few things here in Kuwait City. Sirens going off 22 minutes ago. They have fallen silent now. The all-clear has been given in Kuwait City. Likewise for Ryan Chilcote and unclear right now what's happening with the marines and Sanjay Gupta.
But as Kelly points out and he makes a great point to, Anderson and Heidi, we can expect drills like these to happen over the course of this conflict and often times, perhaps many times, more times than not they will be false alarms. It was not a false alarm three hours ago when we got the report from Sanjay about these two missiles being fired overhead 300 feet off the desert floor, landing harmlessly we're told with no fatalities and no injuries to report.
Again, the all-clear signal has been given. Experts tell us expect a 90 percent chance that Kuwait City, at some point, will come under attack. Now that may sound very, very high but keep in mind it's a big place out here. We're talking about it being a tiny desert country but it's a rather place, about the size of New Jersey. And although 90 percent may sound like a very high percentage, the chances of a direct hit, we are told, are very, very small. Heidi, Anderson back to you at the (INAUDIBLE).
COOPER: All right, Bill. Thanks.
COLLINS: Thank you Bill. We are going to check in now with Chris Plante who is coming to us from the Pentagon. We are not going to do that. We're going to talk to Sanjay Gupta.
Sanjay, we want to know, first of all, if you're all right and what the very latest is coming to us from Kuwait.
GUPTA: Yeah. Good morning. We're doing just fine here. There's been three bunker calls now, the first being at about 10:28 this morning. We've certainly talked about that one quite a bit. There have been two bunker calls after that. What that means basically is when a bunker call happens, everyone is told to put on all of their gear including cavalier, helmets and run to the closest bunker. The first bunker call lasted approximately 45 minutes. During that time, it was confirmed that more than one missile had actually been -- came from the north to the south, it landed somewhere south of us. That's between Kuwait City and here.
Someone just handed me a news release from the marines. It says an unidentified missile struck outside Camp Commando at approximately 10:28 this morning. A N.B.C. monitor team, that's nuclear, biological and chemical team was dispatched. No evidence of chemical munitions were found. No marines were killed or injured either. That's what we can confirm from that first missile launch that we saw this morning.
We actually saw that missile at about 10:28. It appeared to be grayish-green. It had three yellow stripes from the best observations that we could tell. Again, no chemical munitions that we have heard about so far. No injuries or causalities, although we did see a Medevac helicopter actually take off about 300 meters from here.
And, again, we are here in the northern desert of Kuwait, Camp Iwo Jima, part of Camp Coyote (ph). Back to you.
COLLINS: Sanjay, I want to ask you. We've been talking with our security analyst, Kelly McCann, who talked a little bit about what that was going to be like, putting on all of your gear, taking it off, getting into a bunker, getting out. He talked a little bit about harassment by the Iraqis. Tell us what that's like. Is it very tiring?
GUPTA: Yes, it's very tiring. There's no question about it. It's very hot. The gas masks makes it difficult to talk. It's just very warm in there. It's obviously very tense as well just because this -- today, at 10:28, was the first time that the bunker-bunker- bunker call was for real. No doubt these marines have been training for this for quite some time, months, here in the desert but that was the first real bunker call. So very expected, sort of anticipatory mood as well. But it's just hot. It's hard to run around in this stuff. It's hard to put all this gear on and off. We've done this three times now. The second two bunker calls weren't nearly as long but it is certainly a bit frustrating.
What I can tell you as well, Heidi, is that I'm hearing sirens off in the distance, to some extent, around here. We heard those sirens start just before this last bunker call.
COLLINS: All right. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks so much for the update. We, of course, will keep checking in with your.
COOPER: And we're going to go to Ryan Chilcote who is with the 101st Airborne in northern Kuwait.
Ryan, what do you have for us?
CHILCOTE: Well the dust is settling here and I've just learned now from a gentleman who -- a soldier who was at the radio that one -- at least one patriot missile was fired from a nearby camp. Initial reports were that three had been fired and that they had intercepted an incoming rocket. Now that is not what I'm hearing but still information obviously very sketching.
What I've now -- have now heard from two sources is that at least one patriot missile was fired from a nearby camp. The soldier that I was speaking with that was on the radio said, well, it couldn't -- he said it couldn't be a false launch. Such things don't exist with patriots. I don't know if that's true. I'm not in a position to judge that.
I do know, however, that there was just about 20 minutes ago here a very loud alarm. It's the alarm used to indicate a scud attack. I was standing next to a group of soldiers. We were just sitting around, all of a sudden, within just the nine allotted seconds that you have, we all had our gas masks on. We were all heading for the bunker. That's what you do. That's the soldiers instructions should there be a scud attack alarm. You're to immediately head for the bunker. So we're still waiting. The dust is still settling. Obviously, I don't think the picture is entirely clear yet. But, clearly, something did happen here.
COOPER: Well that's -- you know at this stage, it's often little pieces of information coming in from all the different sources and it's a question of trying to put them together in some sort of coherent pattern, often the people in the different spots don't see the larger picture and that's why we appreciate all these different reports from CNN correspondents embedded with all these different units. Ryan Chilcote with the 101st trying to put the pieces together exactly what is happening.
What we can tell you, at this point, two -- it's been confirmed by the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry, two missiles were fired into Kuwait, apparently land in the desert. At this point, we've heard of no causalities. Air raid sirens going off several times in Kuwait City. We've heard that from Bill Hemmer. Ryan Chilcote reporting, also Dr. Sanjay Gupta with his unit reporting in northern Iraq that these air raid sirens continue sporadically. They have to don their equipment and go back into the bunkers. It's sort of this harassment at this stage is what it seems like.
COLLINS: That's right. Not an easy thing. And it's certainly -- the timetable has increased. Things moving very, very quickly as we've been saying from the very beginning.
What we want to do now before we sign off, at least for Anderson and myself, we want to hear from President Bush one more time. This is the address that he made to the nation at 10:15 last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions of war or rules or morality. Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military. A final atrocity against his people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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