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CNN Live Event/Special
Donald Rumsfeld, Richard Myers Addresses Reporters on Capitol Hill
Aired April 02, 2003 - 15:51 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.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF STATE: ... Sure, there's several ways that could happen. Depends on what takes place between now and then; it depends on what happens to the regime; it depends on the extent to which the capabilities of the Iraqi military and the regime are degraded between now and then; it depends the conviction on the part of the Iraqi people that Saddam Hussein is -- is definitely going to be gone and that emboldens then. So there's lots of ways.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, can I ask -- it's supposed to be about 100 degrees in Baghdad this weekend and as forces move closer to the city the concern about chemical weapons -- are you concerned about the weather and the possibility that those weapons may be used?
RUMSFELD: I looked at a range today and it was something like 55 to 72 or something.
GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEF CHAIRMAN: The -- the -- the troops are prepared to fight in weather. We've talked about that before. Certainly when they put on their chemical protective suits it's -- it's hotter for them. But we can also fight at night. That's one of the things our forces are able to do. And we can pick and choose our times because right now we're the military -- militarily dominant force on the battlefield.
So it would slow a little bit, but it would not stop progress.
(CROSSTALK)
RUMSFELD: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Capitol Hill>
Aired April 2, 2003 - 15:51 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF STATE: ... Sure, there's several ways that could happen. Depends on what takes place between now and then; it depends on what happens to the regime; it depends on the extent to which the capabilities of the Iraqi military and the regime are degraded between now and then; it depends the conviction on the part of the Iraqi people that Saddam Hussein is -- is definitely going to be gone and that emboldens then. So there's lots of ways.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, can I ask -- it's supposed to be about 100 degrees in Baghdad this weekend and as forces move closer to the city the concern about chemical weapons -- are you concerned about the weather and the possibility that those weapons may be used?
RUMSFELD: I looked at a range today and it was something like 55 to 72 or something.
GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEF CHAIRMAN: The -- the -- the troops are prepared to fight in weather. We've talked about that before. Certainly when they put on their chemical protective suits it's -- it's hotter for them. But we can also fight at night. That's one of the things our forces are able to do. And we can pick and choose our times because right now we're the military -- militarily dominant force on the battlefield.
So it would slow a little bit, but it would not stop progress.
(CROSSTALK)
RUMSFELD: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Capitol Hill>
