CNN Student News

Aired September 10, 2003

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN ANCHOR: More backup is planned for U.S. troops in Iraq...we'll tell you how long, reservists can expect to stay. The deputy defense secretary defends the cost of war...but where exactly would the money go? And some would say this woman was over the hill, back in 1937!

Hello and welcome to CNN Student News on this Wednesday, September tenth! I'm Christina Park at the CNN Center.

First Up: Reservists Extended Tours?

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN ANCHOR:First up: The nation's top military official says, "We're a nation at war, and we'll do what it takes to win." But the government's resolve, could spell out longer tours of duty for many support troops overseas. Active-duty military personnel in Iraq receive backup from about 20-thousand National Guard and reserve troops. On Tuesday, the reservists found out that they may have to stay in the gulf nation for a year or more, which is months longer than they initially expected.

Now if you're wondering how exactly reservists fit into the picture and differ from career troops...here's Deanna Morawski, with a close up of one branch of the U.S. support forces: the Army Reserve.

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DEANNA MORAWSKI, CNN REPORTER: The concept for a Federal Reserve force was first proposed by George Washington and his colleagues in the late 1700's. Back then, the nation used a very small army, beefed up in times of crisis by militia or civilian volunteers. Centuries later, the army reserve has evolved into a corps of more than 340,000 part-time, standby soldiers. Roughly half of those-- 155,000-- have been mobilized, or called up for duty, since 9/11... Including 80,000 for Iraq. Unlike their state-run counterpart-- the National Guard-- the army reserve is a federal force. That means it can be easily integrated into the active Army.

Reservists have the same basic training as "regular" active-duty soldiers--the main difference is in their time commitment. Typically, reservists serve one weekend out of every month, plus two weeks of annual training...but right now, the reserves are under what's called "partial mobilization". That means they can be deployed for up to two years.

The Army says it's reserves make up about 20-percent of their organized units and it can't do its job without them right now.

GEN. RICHARD MYERS, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: A lot of their support, and combat service support, well of the majority of it, is in the reserve component and as long as we have active duty army engaged as we do around the world and in your question, particularly on Iraq, then the reserves are going to have to play a role.

MORAWSKI: A role their families hope will be as brief as possible. For CNN Student News, I'm Deanna Morawski.

(end video)

Shoutout

Time for the Shoutout! Which of the following is NOT a part of the U.S. Reserve forces? If you think you've got the answer, shout it out! Is it: Army National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Air National Guard

You've got three seconds--GO!

Trick Question:

All of these are part of the U.S. Reserve system. In fact, the Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, and Naval Reserve are also part of the Reserve forces. That's your answer and that's your Shoutout

The $87 Billion Dollar Question

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN ANCHOR: You've heard a lot of criticism by now, about the president's call for 87-billion dollars more to fight terrorism. On Tuesday, so did Paul Wolfowitz. The deputy defense secretary faced a grilling from a senate committee about mister bush's request. This included a slam by democratic senator Robert Byrd, who said that congress is not an ATM. But Wolfowitz stood his ground, saying that though the costs are high, the battle against terror is one the u-s could and must win.

Jan Hopkins has a breakdown now of those costs, and what they'd go for.

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JAN HOPKINS, CNN REPORTER: Three quarters of the $87 billion dollas or 66 billion would go to pay for the additional costs of fighting terrorism around the world. That 66 billion dollars would be broken down this way: $51 billion for ongoing military operations in Iraq including $300 million for body armor and $140 million for more humvees. Troops in Iraq for more than a year would also get two weeks for rest and relaxation. $11 billion would go for U.S. troops in Afganistan. Four billion for other parts of the world.

After the 66 billion that goes to military ... the rest of the money about $21 billion would help in the reconstruction of Iraq and Afganistan. Five billion would go to improve security in Iraq and 15 billion dollars to build and repair clinics, make drinking water safe, open ports, restore electricity and oil production. Not much is working in Iraq. The electricity is sporatic and much of the water unsafe but some Iraqi experts point out that not much worked before the war either.

DAVID L. PHILLIPS, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: The utility grid was already seriouslydegraded before the war it has been worsened by the looting and the sabotage. The intermittent electricity that Iraqis experience today is no worse than it was prior to military conflict.

HOPKINS: So far the U.S. has spent about $12 billion on reconstruction in Iraq. Some believe the costs of rehabilitating Iraq over five years.

MICHAEL O'HANLON, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: So far, it looks like the total pricetag will be $300 billion when all is said and done. we are looking at costs through 2003, just through this month that will total about 60 billion in iraq, costs next year that should total about 70 billion, so we're already half way to the 300 billion total just in the first two years.

HOPKINS: Initially it was thought that the cost of rebuilding Iraq would come from selling Iraqi oil, that has not worked out. Now the costs of rebuilding Iraq are being turned over to the U.S. taxpayer. The President also wants to spend more to rebuild Afganistan. Nearly $2 billion has already been spent on roads, bridges and schools. The President wants to spend a billion more this year.

Jan Hopkins, CNN New York.

(end video)

Word to the Wise

A Word to the Wise...

intermittent (adj) stopping and starting at intervals

source: www.dictionary.com

Suicide Terror in Israel

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN ANCHOR: Intermittent attacks on Tuesday jolted parts of Israel and hopes for Middle East peace. Days after Israelis tried to assassinate the spiritual leader of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group claimed responsibility for this suicide bombing at a bus stop near Tel Aviv. Six Israelis were killed in the attack. Hamas also said it was behind a blast at a Jerusalem cafe Tuesday night which left at least five people dead. Dozens of others were injured in the two bombings.

Peter Ueberroth: He's Out!

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN ANCHOR: Now for an update on California's upcoming recall election. The field of strong contenders to replace governor Gray Davis has narrowed a bit, but it's still anyone's guess as to what'll happen on October 7th. One thing is clear: the 1980 Mister Olympia could capture the votes that would have gone for the 1984 Man-of-the-Year (TIME magazine). Kelly Wallace tells us who's out, and who's still pumped at the polls.

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KELLY WALLACE, CNN REPORTER: After failing to light a fire with California voters Republican Peter Ueberroth announces he's out of the race.

PETER UEBERROTH: Practical, I am a businessman, I am taking a look at what we are doing and I've said, if I cant win, win all the way, then I am going to step out.

WALLACE: In a poll released Tuesday Ueberroth trailed the other major candidates

Scoring just 5% with likely voters, his same showing as last month.

The former baseball commissioner no says he'll sit down with the major Republican, Democratic and Independent replacement candidates before deciding whom to endorse.

UEBERROTH: I am going to meet with people, look people in the eye and I am going to find out what they really think.

WALLACE: Ueberroth's exit follows the departure of republican businessman Bill Simon last month and comes as some Republicans privately worry the remaining GOP candidates could split the vote and keep the governorship in democratic hands.

In Tuesday's poll republican Arnold Schwarzenegger is slightly being the major Democrat Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante. However the poll shows if state senator Tom McClintock, a conservative republican gets out Schwarzenegger takes the lead.

But McClintock told CNN's inside politics he has no plans to exit.

TOM MCCLINTOCK, CALIFORNIA SENATOR: I am in the race until the finish line.

(end video)

Before We Go

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN ANCHOR: Before we go... It sounds just like another September birthday, until you hear the year: 1887. That's when this sensational centenarian entered the world, and it makes her the oldest person living in it! Her 116th birthday officially dawns next Tuesday, and her daughter credits her environment for her longevity: she lives in Japan, where more than 20-thousand others have reached the century mark. And you thought your parents were old!

Goodbye

That amazing accomplishment concludes today's show. For CNN Student News, I'm Christina Park. Be sure to stay with Headline News for more stories, next.