NBC Nightly News (6:30 PM ET) July 31, 2002
US plans to overthrow Saddam Hussein
meet with either enthusiasm, skepticism or condemnation
TOM BROKAW, anchor: Back in this country, on Capitol Hill today, a public airing of the administration's plans to overthrow Saddam Hussein of Iraq, plans that are met with either great enthusiasm, great skepticism or great condemnation. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee opened hearings on the possible US military action and the political fallout was immediate. NBC's chief foreign affairs correspondent, Andrea Mitchell, now.
ANDREA MITCHELL reporting: The first shots in the Iraq war, the political war, as the Senate questions whether the president is rushing into war with Saddam Hussein.
Senator JOSEPH BIDEN (Democrat, Delaware): If that course is pursued, in my view it matters profoundly how we do it and what we do after we succeed.
MITCHELL: But the administration refused to send witnesses, even though Defense Secretary Rumsfeld was only three floors away at another hearing. The Iraq debate has been fierce, but until now fought inside the Cabinet and through leaks of conflicting battle plans. One day it's attack on three sides, then military brass favors status quo. Others talk of a midsize strategy or a smaller force hitting Baghdad first.
Mr. ANTHONY CORDESMAN (Center for Strategic and International Studies): I think only fools would bet the lives of other men, sons and daughters on their own arrogance and call this force a cake walk or a speed bump.
MITCHELL: How long can the US safely wait before attacking Saddam Hussein? Today's witnesses predicted he could even have a nuclear weapon in three years.
Dr. KHIDHIR HAMZA (Former Iraqi Nuclear Engineer): Iraq has enough to generate the needed bomb-grade uranium for three nuclear weapons by 2005.
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Mr. JOHN PIKE (Globalsecrity.org): The United States could airlift in troops on very short notice and basically start the war within a few weeks after the decision to do so.
MITCHELL: What about the rest of the Arab world? In an interview with Katie Couric airing tomorrow on the "Today" program, Jordan's King Abdullah, who sees the president tomorrow.
King ABDULLAH: Every country that I--I--I've had contacts with have reservations on a military strike against Iraq.
MITCHELL: And unlike the $60 billion Gulf War, largely paid for by America's allies, this time the bill would come home.
Senator CHUCK HAGEL (Republican, Nebraska): What if things really get out of control over there? You're talking about major oil fields in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. You could bring the economy of the world to its knees here.
MITCHELL: Tonight, Congress is also asking who would replace Saddam Hussein and how long would US troops have to stay? Andrea Mitchell, NBC News at the State Department.
Copyright 2002 National Broadcasting Co. Inc.
