Early in the interview, Sawyer quoted from a Guardian article that claimed the United States occupation is worse than Stalin:
Diane Sawyer: "This morning, we read in The Guardian, and, again, it’s symbolic, but, a weight lifter turned-- and mechanic, who was instrumental in pulling down the statue of Saddam Hussein, has gone public now four days [SIC] later and he has said, The situation is becoming more dangerous, It’s not getting better at all, that ‘Saddam was like Stalin, but the occupation is proving to be worse.’ The man we saw there pulling down the statue."
Condoleezza Rice: "I don’t doubt that there is disappointment on the part of the Iraqis and, indeed, Americans, that the war has not, perhaps, gone better, that, in fact, we are not further along. But I think we have to remember that this is a very difficult process of taking a place that has lived under tyranny and violence for practically its entire history and getting to the point where Iraqis can solve their problems through politics. This is a new government that is committed now to a better life for its people. I think they're making some progress in these first days of the Baghdad security plan, although I would be the first to say there are still going to be hard days ahead and we do have a more committed government, better Iraqi security forces and, frankly, more American help for them in the form of American security forces so that they have a new chance."
The Guardian? Perhaps next time, Sawyer could reference something she read in the latest edition of The Nation.
The ABC host began the interview, which aired at 7:06am, by quizzing Rice’s mood on Iraq:
Diane Sawyer: "I want to turn now, because just a few minutes ago we had a chance to talk to the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about all of this. Secretary Rice, thanks for being with us this morning. Four years now to the day since the first air strikes on Baghdad. When you woke up this morning, four years later, what is the word that best summarizes your mood about this war?"
Condoleezza Rice: "Well, I think perseverance. The fact is that we've achieved a great deal with the Iraqis, but the there is still much more to do. And, of course, one is always– thinks about the tremendous sacrifice, the men and women who have been lost in this war and the innocent Iraqis who have died. But we also have to remember the 12 and a half million people who voted, Iraqis who voted for a new government and a new life, and I think the new possibilities are that opened up by the Baghdad security plan, which, thus far, is well under way."
Diane Sawyer: "This morning, we read in The Guardian, and, again, it’s symbolic, but, a weight lifter turned-- and mechanic, who was instrumental in pulling down the statue of Saddam Hussein, has gone public now four days [sic] later and he has said, The situation is becoming more dangerous, It’s not getting better at all, that ‘Saddam was like Stalin, but the occupation is proving to be worse.’ The man we saw there pulling down the statue."
Rice: "I don’t doubt that there is disappointment on the part of the Iraqis and, indeed, Americans, that the war has not, perhaps, gone better, that, in fact, we are not further along. But I think we have to remember that this is a very difficult process of taking a place that has lived under tyranny and violence for practically its entire history and getting to the point where Iraqis can solve their problems through politics. This is a new government that is committed now to a better life for its people. I think they're making some progress in these first days of the Baghdad security plan, although I would be the first to say there are still going to be hard days ahead and we do have a more committed government, better Iraqi security forces and, frankly, more American help for them in the form of American security forces so that they have a new chance."
Sawyer: "We've just heard in the ABC poll and survey about water, electricity, a decrease in the number of kids now, decrease in the number of kids in school and a decrease in the amount of adequate electricity. What do you say to the people of Iraq about the fact that four years later, the United States cannot supply them with adequate electricity?"
Rice: "Well, it's obviously very difficult. The insurgents have decided to attack electrical supply. They’ve decided to attack oil supply. But I would just note one thing about the electricity. We know now that Saddam Hussein provided only 50 percent of the generating power needed throughout Iraq. And, so, while Baghdad was receiving all of the electricity that it needed, the rest of the country was not. And so some of these numbers can be a bit deceiving. But there's no doubt that the new government, with its investment of nearly $10 billion of their own money in infrastructure projects, is going to be able to do a better job with our help of providing for the Iraqi people."
Sawyer: "On this morning of 3,218 U.S. military fatalities and 24, 042 U.S. wounded, not to mention the some 60,000 Iraqis who have been killed. On this morning, would you say to Americans that, if it takes four more years and another 3,000 fatalities, that you'll stay the course, that that must be done, too?"
Rice: "Well, Diane, first, we have to recognize the tremendous sacrifice. And nothing we can say is ever going to, to lessen the hurt for those families that have lost loved ones or for those whose lives have been irrevocably changed. But I would say that the sacrifice, that nothing of value is ever won unless there is sacrifice. I would also say that we need to complete the job because to leave an Iraq in the hands of the likes of the, the finally demised Zarqawi, the al Qaeda that are there, to leave Iraq in the hands of killers and to leave it unstable would have untold consequences for the region and for our security at home. It's difficult, but we are on a course that the President and his commanders believe give the Iraqis a chance to build an Iraq that will be more stable, more democratic, a good friend for the United States, and, most importantly, then, a stability pillar in the Middle East so that America can be safer."
Notice how Sawyer laid the blame of electricity problems on America and not insurgent terrorism.
To see how NBC’s "Today" show handled the fourth anniversary, click here, here and here.
