WHAT HE SAID A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO

Crooks & Liars has the video and Lexis-Nexis has the transcript¹:


LARA LOGAN reporting:Handing over power to the Iraqi army is a big part of the latest US effort to make Baghdad safer. But with so many officers who served under Saddam Hussein now filling the top ranks, Iraq's prime minister admitted in this exclusive interview with CBS News there's a real threat of a coup. Do you feel confident that you have the loyalty of your officer corps?

Mr. NOURI al-MALIKI (Iraqi Prime Minister): (Through translator) `There are some of them who are still loyal to the previous regime and they are making problems. Sometimes they even violate the security of military operations.'

LOGAN: Does that make you afraid for your own survival?

Mr. al-MALIKI: (Through translator) `No, I'm not afraid. But I have to watch the army because those still loyal to the previous regime may start planning coups. Those people don't believe in democracy and, for that reason, we are monitoring the status of the army very carefully.'

¹SHOW: CBS Evening News 6:30 PM EST CBS
May 30, 2007 Wednesday
LENGTH: 405 words
HEADLINE: Iraq's prime minister has concerns of possible coup
ANCHORS: RUSS MITCHELL
REPORTERS: LARA LOGAN