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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK

Welcoming Troops in Kuwait?

Aired January 15, 2003 - 06:38   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Turning our attention now to the Persian Gulf region, where the U.S. military buildup is prompting reaction.
CNN's Martin Savidge is in Kuwait City.

Good morning.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Kuwaitis were great once for following the actions, and not so much listening to the words. And what I mean by that is, you would think that the tough talk coming from President Bush saying that time is running out for Saddam Hussein might trigger alarm bells here in Kuwait. It didn't.

In fact, a lot of people haven't even admitted to hearing President Bush, and the reason for that is, you have to understand Kuwaitis. They say, look, we've been dealing with Iraq and Saddam Hussein for years, ever since obviously the end of the last Gulf War. And that they have come to a realization that sometimes it goes in cycles. Threats of confrontation, buildup of forces, then it dies down, only to reemerge several years later.

That's not to say they don't take it seriously this time around; the number of troops coming to the region would tell them that. They're just in two camps. One camp says, well, they're hoping that war can be averted, even though they want Saddam to go. The other group is saying, well, fatalistically, war is inevitable.

Here are two opinions. First from a woman we met this morning at breakfast, and another, a taxi driver we met on the street.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We can't (ph) (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a few months, OK, here (ph), there is war, there is no war, Saddam is coming, Saddam is leaving. For us (ph), that's -- we want to raise up our kids and that's our life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): In every way, we try to deal with Saddam, and he has never changed. This has been his way for 12 years, and I think what President Bush said is the solution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Nobody embraces war here in Kuwait; that should be said. Still, they also greatly appreciate the support of the United States and stand by their leaders and President Bush -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Martin Savidge reporting live from Kuwait City this morning.

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