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Anderson has a recorded interview with Michael about the current situation in Iraq. And also reveals that today is Michael's birthday.
ANDERSON
COOPER: Deadly violence today in the southern Iraqi
city of Basra. At least 50 people killed in clashes
between government forces and fighters with Muqtada
al Sadr's Mehdi Army.
Because the city's largely under its own control
since British forces pulled out, the battle raises a
terrifying question tonight. Is it a taste of things
to come nationwide when American forces go home?
General David Petraeus, the top American commander in
Iraq, wants troop levels to remain high for the rest
of the year. So does John McCain. Barack Obama and
Hillary Clinton each favored a phased pullback, in
consultation with military commanders.
I spoke about it earlier with CNN's Michael Ware.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Michael, it appears from today's report that
troop levels in Iraq are going to stay the same
through 2008. So, really, any major decision on
reducing troop levels is going to be up to the next
president. Now, we know McCain doesn't want to set a
pullout deadline. Both Democrats, Obama and Clinton,
talk about withdrawals over a range of 12 to 16
months. What do diplomats and military officials that
you talk to in Iraq, what do they think about these
timetables for withdrawal?
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just a few days ago,
I sat down with America's point-man in Iraq: U.S.
Ambassador Ryan Crocker. Now, he made it very clear,
he has grave fears about just exactly what would
happen if there was a premature withdrawal of U.S.
troops or any kind of U.S. disengagement from Iraq.
And this is what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN CROCKER, U.S. AMBASSADOR IN IRAQ: I think the
fight would be on, and on at a level that we just
haven't seen here before.
WARE: Well, we're talking, like, regional proxy war?
CROCKER: I think that's the possibility you have to
look at. Because as bad as it was in 2006 -- and no
one knows better than you how bad it was -- we were
here. If we spiral into conflict again and we're
leaving, everybody knows we're not coming back.
WARE: Yes.
CROCKER: So I think the gloves then come completely
off. And it's in that environment that the risk of
regional involvement in the conflict, particularly
from Iran, becomes very grave indeed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: He talks about regional proxy wars. What does
that specifically mean, Iran getting even more
involved?
WARE: Iran, of course, is front and center. Iran is
already directing a proxy war against America, as we
speak, in Iraq. They're using Iraq as a battlefield
to gain leverage over America and a host of other
areas, including the area of nuclear technology.
But this isn't just restricted to Iran, Anderson.
We're also talking about Saudi Arabia, Jordan,
potentially Egypt, Kuwait; most of America's Arab
allies.
COOPER: What about Iraqi security forces? I mean, can
they step in? The plan is for them to take over
security responsibilities as the U.S. draws down: one
to two combat brigades a month, if the Democrats get
in power.
WARE: Let's take a look at today's events. We're
seeing in Basra a massive Iraqi and police operation
against rogue militias, so-called, directed by the
prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki himself. But when it
boils down, this is in a broader context. Within the
Shia block of Iraq, this is one Shia faction, backed
by Iran, fighting another Shia faction, backed by
Iran. And in many ways, this is a window into the
future of what Ryan Crocker suggests may evolve in
the vacuum of a U.S. withdrawal.
COOPER: Michael Ware, thanks very much. Michael, I
understand it's also your birthday. I want to wish
you a happy birthday. Can I ask how old you are?
WARE: Anderson...
COOPER: Or is that better not asked?
WARE: ... that's -- yes, I -- I seek my Fifth
Amendment right on that, and I decline not to answer.
And thank you for asking. Remind me to thank you when
I see you in New York.
COOPER: Uh-oh, I'm in trouble. Michael, thanks very
much. Happy birthday.
COOPER: I think I am in trouble.
Just ahead, a huge and disturbing surprise in the
Antarctic. A gigantic ice shelf is breaking apart
much sooner than anyone predicted. We'll show you the
dramatic pictures in just a moment.
But first, Erica Hill joins us again with the "360
News and Business Bulletin" -- Erica.
ERICA HILL, HEADLINE NEWS ANCHOR: Anderson, don't you
know a gentleman never reveals his age?
COOPER: I guess so. He's Australian, I thought, why
would he care? But I guess he does.