Militias Growing Problem In Iraq
BLITZER: They're sometimes overshadowed by insurgents, but the militia groups are also responsible for violence in the country. President Bush took note of that with current and former secretaries of state and defense. CNN's Brian Todd is joining us now with more on this story -- Brian.</s>BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's likely no coincidence this problem has made its way up the chain of command to President Bush. Top coalition commanders have talked a lot about the militias recently. They're getting more worried about their level of violence and brazen tactics.</s>TODD: Near the central Iraqi city of Baqubah, captured fighters wearing Iraqi army uniforms, held by U.S. and Iraqi soldiers. They're not who they appear to be. U.S. military officials say some of these men confessed to be members of the notorious Mehdi militia linked to the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr. They've gotten hold of Iraqi army uniforms, gone around in pickup trucks, kidnapping villagers. U.S. and Iraqi forces were ticked off and intercepted the militia.</s>LT. COL. THOMAS FISHER, U.S. ARMY: When we got there, they found a force of about 40 individuals and seven vehicles, and proceed to engage those criminal forces. A firefight that left five militia men dead, dozens of other apprehended. But some got away with kidnap victims. A senior U.S. military official on the ground tells CNN groups like this are, quote, "one of my biggest problems," a problem that's gotten the attention of his commander in chief.</s>GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Perhaps the main challenge is the -- is the militia that tend to take the law into their own hands.</s>TODD: In Baqubah, Baghdad, and elsewhere, local residents tell CNN these lethal militias are the real power in the streets, answering only to their leaders, like Al-Sadr, not to American forces or Iraqi government officials. The problem: the failure to fill key cabinet positions, leaving a power vacuum in Iraq.</s>LT. GEN. ROBERT FRY, BRITISH ROYAL MARINES: We have had an extended political hiatus while this government has been standing up. And that has permitted radical politicians and some militias to claim to represent, to regulate, and to communicate -- to protect their own communities.</s>TODD: We're told that a new Iraqi cabinet could be named as early as Sunday. But even then, the job of containing the militias would only begin, and the scope of these sectarian killings is staggering. Iraqi's president says last month alone, the Baghdad morgue reported more than 1,000 victims of day to day violence -- Wolf.</s>BLITZER: Brian Todd, thanks for that. A key member of the CNN security council, our world affairs analyst, William Cohen, is also a former defense secretary. He was in the meeting over at the White House earlier today with the president. William Cohen is also the chairman and CEO of the Cohen group here in Washington. He's here in THE SITUATION ROOM right now. Take us inside the West Wing. What was it like with these former secretaries of state and defense and the president and his top advisors?</s>WILLIAM COHEN, FORMER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Wolf, this is the second time in a very short period of time in the last two or three months that President Bush has called for a gathering of former secretaries of defense and state. And basically, it was an opportunity for Secretary Rice and Secretary Rumsfeld and General Pace to give about a 45-minute briefing to all those there, bringing us up to date on what is taking place on the ground, what are the challenges, et cetera. At the end of that 45-minute presentation, President Bush came in. He then engaged in a give and take for the next 45 minutes to an hour, soliciting views of us and giving us a perspective on his part, his administration, what his goals are.</s>BLITZER: Did you learn something that you didn't know walking into the West Wing?</s>COHEN: Well, perhaps more specifics than what we got from the newspaper in terms of what is taking place on the ground, the kind of reports coming from General Casey and our ambassador in Iraq itself. I was able to convey my own impressions of traveling in the Gulf region, from Riyadh to Qatar to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, most recently, and...</s>BLITZER: You're just back.</s>COHEN: Just back. And to convey the level of anxiety that those countries have about what is taking place in Iraq. But also what is taking place in Iran. There is genuine concern and apprehension on their part about the growing tensions that exist and the threat that exists from Iraq -- Iran, rather.</s>BLITZER: So they're worried that the U.S. might take military action against Iran? Was that the concern you conveyed to the president?</s>COHEN: They're -- they're concerned on two levels. No. 1, they're concerned about the growing power of Iran. They're also concerned about any kind of military action being taken without some real serious diplomatic initiatives being undertaken. And Secretary Rice, I think, conveyed very clearly that we are pursuing diplomatic initiatives and not looking at the military options.</s>BLITZER: There were former Democratic secretaries of state and secretaries of defense, former Republican. Was anyone -- were there any sharp exchanges? Anyone critical of the president to his face?</s>COHEN: No one was critical to the president. There were obvious disagreements amongst some of the members who were there. Albright had some very strong opinions, but she is a diplomat and a former secretary of state, and she conveyed her views in a very professional manner, as did others. And so this is a group that has worked together and known each other for a long period of time, have had similar experiences of being in positions of responsibility. And so it was a very easy going exchange but very forthright.</s>BLITZER: Based on what you heard, did you emerge more or less optimistic about the situation in Iraq?</s>COHEN: A little more encouraged in terms of what is taking place, in terms of the commitment of the new government, with a prime minister designate committed to forming a unity government, filling those positions, then cracking down on the militia, taking away the sectarian violence to the extent they can. Also delivering services that are much needed: electricity, water, all of the human needs that are required in order to win the hearts and minds. I think there's some progress being made there, but the jury is still out. Still a tough road to go.</s>BLITZER: Well, we're glad you're back safe and sound from the region. Thanks for coming into</s>THE SITUATION ROOM. COHEN: A pleasure to be here, Wolf.</s>BLITZER: Lou Dobbs is getting ready for his program that begins right at the top of the hour. He's going to tell us what he's working on.</s>LOU DOBBS, HOST, "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT": Wolf, thank you. Coming up at 6 p.m. Eastern here, we'll have complete coverage of President Bush's plans to address the nation Monday night in an effort to save his so-called comprehensive immigration reform. Will President Bush send troops to our southern border? We'll be live at the White House, Capitol Hill, and the Pentagon tonight. And among my guests tonight, Congressman Virgil Goode, who introduced the amendment to send troops to our border; Congressman Sylvester Reyes, who strongly opposes that idea. And I'll also be talking with three of the country's top political analysts. We'll have a special report as well for you on a major new crime wave sparked by illegal immigration. American children are the victims. Please join us, 6 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN. Back to you, Wolf.</s>BLITZER: And Lou, we'll be seeing you here in Washington Monday for our special coverage. You'll be doing your program from 6 to 7. You'll stay with us in THE SITUATION ROOM. We'll get to the president's speech at 8 p.m. Eastern, then a special edition of "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" coming up after the president's speech at 8:30. Did I get it all right?</s>DOBBS: I think you did very well, Wolf. It's going to be a day of intense and important coverage. We're looking forward to it.</s>BLITZER: Lou Dobbs will be here in Washington for all of our coverage. Lou, thanks very much. And still to come, author and aggressor. Saddam Hussein's newest book could soon be on the bookshelves. You think you want to buy it? And in Iran, you're told what books you can't read and what Internet cites you can't surf. But many Iranians are thirsty for information, and they've found a way around that. Our Aneesh Raman is inside Iran, and he has the story.