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KIRAN CHETRY: But we
begin with two major stories this morning. The Bush
administration considering an extreme step against
Iran. They're talking about putting Iran's
Revolutionary Guard on its list of terror
organizations. That would be the first time that
another government's military has been put on the
terror list. It would also let the U.S. go after the
Revolutionary Guard's finances.
We're also hearing about the possibility of pulling
American troops out of some parts of Iraq. The "Los
Angeles Times" is reporting the top commander in
Iraq, General David Petraeus, is expected to announce
the pullbacks in that critical report to Congress
that's due out next month. Following the latest
developments on both of these stories for us, CNN's
Michael Ware. He's in Baghdad.
Good to see you, Michael.
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kiran, good
morning.
Yes, that's right. We're hearing now about potential
moves by the administration to brand the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization
under the list of foreign terrorist organizations
held by the Treasury Department. Now this is nothing
but a symbolic gesture. This is akin to Iran branding
everyone at Ft. Bragg a terrorist.
Now it is nothing but name calling. It's certainly a
sign of American frustration with Iran and anger. But
in effect, it will have zero impact.
The Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is 120,000
troops, Iran's major military formation, does not
bank in the U.S. or any countries that the U.S. has
access to. So really it's akin to throwing a glass of
water on a raging house fire.
Now, the reason this is happening is because the
Iranians essentially are winning so much here in
Iraq. The government here in Iraq is pretty much
under the influence of the Revolutionary Guard's
Corps and most of the bombs that are killing U.S.
troops now are being made in Iran and sent across the
border. That's why the U.S. is trying to take this
action.
Meanwhile, we're seeing stability in some of the
Sunni areas of Iraq. This is because America has cut
a deal with the Baathist insurgents and the tribal
insurgents that have been killing Americans. As long
as they kill al Qaeda, America now allows them to
operate. The mood now, according to White House
sources, is to enhance that by pulling back U.S.
troops.
Now, you don't want to do that too early, say some of
the top American commanders here. But when you do,
you must realize it's a trade-off. Yes, you can pull
your boys out, but essentially you've got to cut a
deal with another militia. We've seen that in the
north in Mosul where essentially the peshmerga or the
Kurds takes over, and in the south, in Iran
[I
think he meant Basra] the Brits are able to
withdraw because Iranian militias take over. There's
always a price for everything.
Kiran.
CHETRY: Michael Ware reporting from Baghdad for us
this morning on those two developments. Thank
you.