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      A:  When I say the gate is closed, I don't want to give YOU the impression that
absolutely nothing is escaping.  ~uite the contrary, what isn't escaping is heavy
tanks, what isn't escaping is artillery pieces1 what isn't escaping is that sort of
thing.   That doesn't mean that civilian vehicles aren't escaping, that doesn8t inean
that innocent civilians aren't escaping, that doesn't mean that unarmed Iraqis aren't
escaping -- that's not the gate I'm talking about.  I'ra talking about the gate that
i~ Closed on the war machine that is out there.

      The timing for the beginning of the ground campaiqn1 we made a ;ailitary
analysis of when that ground campaign should be conducted.    I gave my recommendation
to the Secretary of Defen~e and General Colin Powell, they passed that recommendation
on to the president, and the President acted upon that recommendation.    why, do you
think we did it at the wrong tirne'.   (Laughter)

      Q:   I'm wondering if your recom~~endation and analysis was accepttd without
change
      A    I'm very thankful for the fact that the President of the United States has
allowed the United States military and the coalition military to fig~t this war
exactly as it should have been fought,  and the ~resident in every case has taken our
guidance and our reco~ndations to heart, and has acted superbly as the Co:nmand-
er-in-Chie~ of the United Statcs~

Thank you very much.

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