AC: "I've just woken up on
a Baghdad morning, and the US-led phase of the war in
Iraq is over."
Monday, June 29, 2009
Length: 3:37
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Boy, that title quote says it all, doesn't it? I
got chills when he said it, and I loved the way he
took control of the segment to make that point. It
is astonishing. And it deserved recognition. There
will be more blood spilled, more in-fighting, more
problems... but a huge milestone has been reached
for us and for the Iraqis.
ANDERSON
COOPER: In Iraq, a remarkable scene to usher in a
defining moment: crowds celebrating in a park in
Baghdad. Cheers come as U.S. forces officially begin
handing over control to the Iraqis; the deadline,
June 30th, being declared a national holiday --
withdrawals happening in cities and towns across the
country.
But with the security pullout we have seen a spike in
terror attacks, scores have been killed in recent
weeks raising fears that a war that has killed
thousands is far from over.
Michael Ware is back in Baghdad; he joins us now.
Michael, for the first time in six years, Iraq is
responsible for security in the cities. What is the
mood like on the streets?
MICHAEL WARE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well,
Anderson, just before we get to that, let's take a
breath, and let's realize what's just happened. I've
just woken up on a Baghdad morning, and the U.S.-led
phase of the war in Iraq is over, six and a half
long, brutal years.
There are still U.S. troops here, and there is still
going to be some combat, and I'm afraid there'll
probably still be some losses but what a day.
Now, we saw that last night, the Iraqis celebrating;
the outpouring of excitement and joy and nationalism;
families in parks, anchors on state TV draped in the
Iraqi flag. But the Iraqi security forces, they are
now the tip of the spear and quite frankly, they are
not up to the task yet. That's why you still have
130,000 American troops still in this country.
They are now in a supporting role. They are going to
have to operate only with the permission or the
invitation of the Iraqi government. America can no
longer wage any kind of a war of its own within the
Iraqi cities themselves. In the deserts and in the
Green Belt around the city they can still conduct
operations but from the mood of jubilation to the
continuing attacks to now that this is Iraq's war in
Iraq, so much is suddenly changing -- Anderson.
COOPER: Do we know what this means, though? How will
U.S. forces be used? They have to actually be called
in by Iraqi forces?
WARE: Yes, pretty much.
Inside the cities, America is out of the
decision-making process in terms of the fight. Now
it's up to Prime Minister Maliki and his military
advisers.
Now, you're still going to see some American uniforms
in a few cities and a few towns. But they are going
to be rare as hen's teeth, relatively. You'll see
some advisors embedded with Iraqi units, the men
they're still training. You'll see some partnered
patrols now and then, and I'm sure there will be some
joint operations from time to time. But that's about
it.
Otherwise, U.S. forces must retreat or already have
retreated to the pre-approved bases outside the
cities and towns. They can only operate with any kind
of freedom out in the deserts as I was saying. It's
going to take the Iraqi prime minister to say we need
you here, we need you there.
Primarily, as General Odierno, the commander here on
the ground -- the American commander -- says, America
now acts as enablers providing the air power, the
heavy weapons, the artillery, providing those sorts
of things the Iraqi forces simply are nowhere near
having or being able -- those tasks that they able to
perform on themselves. America takes a supporting
role, mate.
COOPER: All right, Michael Ware from Baghdad. Michael
thank you.