ABC Good Morning America Transcript

ABC News Transcripts June 23, 2003 Monday
SHOW: GOOD MORNING AMERICA - ABC

HEADLINE: POST WAR IRAQ US SENATORS SPEAKING ABOUT IRAQ CONVOY ATTACKED LAST WEEK

BODY:
DIANE SAWYER, ABC NEWS

And now, we turn to the topic of Iraq. As we reported, DNA tests are now under way on, after an attack by Americans on a convoy, purportedly something big in that convoy. And also the question arising, are American troops under too much fire? Can they be better protected? For some answers, we're going to turn to three senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They are on the ground in Iraq seeing the situation for themselves. From Baghdad, Chairman Richard Lugar of Indiana, ranking Democrat Joseph Biden of Delaware, and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

DIANE SAWYER

(Off Camera) And thank you all for being with us this morning, the three of you.

GROUP, UNITED STATES SENATORS

Thank you, Diane.

DIANE SAWYER

(Off Camera) So, Senator Biden, I'll start with you. The DN (PH) experts, DNA experts are poring over what "The Washington Post" source says, the tack that chewed up something big. Was it Saddam Hussein? What are you hearing on the ground?

SENATOR JOE BIDEN, DEMOCRAT, DELAWARE

We're not hearing anything on the ground. We don't know. We've heard no confirmation that it was Saddam. We know, and we just simply don't know.

DIANE SAWYER

(Off Camera) And is the reigning theory on the ground that he is still alive some place?

SENATOR JOE BIDEN

Well, prior to us getting here, that's, that's what we heard. And that, and I think that is the sense of the, of the Iraqi people, or a number of the Iraqi people in this area, which was sort of his home court. And that's why it's awfully important we find out whether he's dead or alive and get him captured, because he is, in his, in his absence, in effect, still able to be -intimidating. He's an intimidating factor.

DIANE SAWYER

(Off Camera) Well, speaking of that, as we know, much reported now about the number of American forces still under fire, about one a day since May 1st when President Bush declared that major combat was over. Senator Lugar, we heard back here that American troops have said they are not enough of them to get the job done, and also just to protect themselves. Are more American forces needed?

SENATOR RICHARD LUGAR, REPUBLICAN, INDIANA

Well, let me just say, first of all, that Americans are under fire, because, at least in our judgment, Saddam and his people are still alive. There are Iraqis who believe he's going to return. There are people who are involved in the sabotage you've already reported, as well as attacks on Americans who feel the war is not over. And so, we've gotta end the war. And one of the basic things we've gotta do is find Saddam, his sons and the rest of that leadership. Now, now, beyond that, there may be elements from other countries. We have queried (inaudible) Shapir, Jerry Bremer and others as to whether folks have came in from other countries. Some had before the hostilities. Some may still be here that were attracted by Saddam, that were attracted by terrorism, generally. So, there is still a big job in routing out terrorists who may not be Iraqis.

DIANE SAWYER

(Off Camera) Well, speaking of big job, the three of you have said that it is time for the White House to start telling the American people the reality of how long troops have to be there. And Senator Biden, you've talked about five years. Senator Lugar, you've talked about five years. And Senator Hagel, you said that you don't think the administration has planned very well explaining to the American people exactly what the investment's gonna be. Is it five years? Is it longer? And how many troops?

SENATOR CHUCK HAGEL, REPUBLICAN, NEBRASKA

Diane, no one knows for sure. But the fact is, this is a long-term commitment. It is gonna require American troops here. It's gonna require an internationalization of many forces. It's gonna require some time. What we are into here, Diane, is something we've never ever undertaken before. It's complicated. It's wide. It's deep. We're developing an entire new structure of government. We want to give the people of Iraq an opportunity to develop for themselves a government that gives them hope, gives them opportunity. And I think the numbers, the years that Chairman Lugar has talked about, Senator Biden, five-year time frame, I think that's realistic.

SENATOR CHUCK HAGEL

But the American people, I do believe, understand and, and will support our effort here, because it is in the national interest of our country. Security, stability in the world, especially this region of the world, is vital to our national interests.

DIANE SAWYER

(Off Camera) Well, again, senators, we thank you so much for being with us. I know you've got a busy day that's already taken place over there, and a busy night ahead of you. And we're really grateful for, for your checking in with us. Thank you.

GROUP

Thank you, Diane.

DIANE SAWYER

(Off Camera) Charlie?

CHARLES GIBSON, ABC NEWS

(Off Camera) It's nice to see the United States Senate in comfortable clothes over there in, in Baghdad.

DIANE SAWYER

(Off Camera) I was gonna say, T-shirt in there. It's great.

CHARLES GIBSON

Now to an uproar in Britain where government officials are demanding to know how a man who calls himself a comedy terrorist, whatever that means, managed to crash this weekend's 21st birthday of Prince William. ABC's Richard Gizbert in London.