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CNN Live Event/Special

War in Iraq: Divide & Conquer

Aired April 06, 2003 - 06:14   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We do know the U.S. Army where they're located right now, 7th Cavalry has been positioned about that airport west of town.
So, too, is Walt Rodgers. Walt filed this latest report a few moments ago about his location and what he has seen thus far today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Army sources have told CNN that more armed reconnaissance missions are planned for inside the heart of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Yesterday, the previous day, the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division rolled reconnaissance tank units through the city. Again, we can expect, according to the Army, more of this kind of U.S. muscle flexing. It's an attempt to show the Iraqis that the old regime has fallen. More importantly, it's an attempt to take out any pockets of resistance that the Iraqis may put up, not necessarily an indication that the United States is going to occupy Baghdad on moss (ph).

What we are seeing, however, are plans what are -- that the Army is calling SASO, which is an acronym that stands for security and stability organizations, and the city will be carved up. The areas around the city carved up for specific military units to occupy and try to establish some sort of order and stability for the civilian population.

Again, the civilian population here remains wary, although there was an encounter the 7th Cavalry had yesterday with some Iraqi civilians on the outskirts of Baghdad. Those Iraqi civilians kept whispering, is he dead yet, is he dead yet? It's as if there is a great wellspring, a great reservoir of emotion ready to be released once the Iraqi public is confident that Saddam Hussein is finally gone.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, with the U.S. Army 7th Cavalry on the outskirts of Baghdad.

(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 April 6, 2003 - 06:14   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We do know the U.S. Army where they're located right now, 7th Cavalry has been positioned about that airport west of town.
So, too, is Walt Rodgers. Walt filed this latest report a few moments ago about his location and what he has seen thus far today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Army sources have told CNN that more armed reconnaissance missions are planned for inside the heart of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Yesterday, the previous day, the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division rolled reconnaissance tank units through the city. Again, we can expect, according to the Army, more of this kind of U.S. muscle flexing. It's an attempt to show the Iraqis that the old regime has fallen. More importantly, it's an attempt to take out any pockets of resistance that the Iraqis may put up, not necessarily an indication that the United States is going to occupy Baghdad on moss (ph).

What we are seeing, however, are plans what are -- that the Army is calling SASO, which is an acronym that stands for security and stability organizations, and the city will be carved up. The areas around the city carved up for specific military units to occupy and try to establish some sort of order and stability for the civilian population.

Again, the civilian population here remains wary, although there was an encounter the 7th Cavalry had yesterday with some Iraqi civilians on the outskirts of Baghdad. Those Iraqi civilians kept whispering, is he dead yet, is he dead yet? It's as if there is a great wellspring, a great reservoir of emotion ready to be released once the Iraqi public is confident that Saddam Hussein is finally gone.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, with the U.S. Army 7th Cavalry on the outskirts of Baghdad.

(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