TIME Correspondent Johanna McGeary reported live from Baghdad on an AOL chat, Dec. 16, 1998

LIVEONAOL: We now welcome Johanna McGeary, TIME magazine correspondent in Baghdad.

Johanna McGeary: At the moment we're waiting for this war to happen. We see the occasional the anti-aircraft fire.

LIVEONAOL: Ms. McGeary, did you have any indication the bombings would start today.

Johanna McGeary: Basically this is a city that still has its lights on...holding its breath, waiting. I think we all suspected when the UNSCOM team pulled out abruptly, packed their bags...that was the signal that the U.S. was willing to live up to its November warning.

LIVEONAOL: Are you in any danger now? Are you scared?

Johanna McGeary: Everybody felt here that it was just a matter of time. I'm in a hotel room with a lot of other reporters We're at the moment in danger of nothing...nothing is happening at this very moment.

LIVEONAOL: If you could leave right now, where would you want to go to report this story?

Johanna McGeary: Doesn't really make a lot of sense...the advantage is that we can see a lot from here. If you're down in the ground in the city it's hard to see a lot.

LIVEONAOL: Are there explosions near where you are?

Johanna McGeary: At the moment there are no explosions my information from the time Pentagon correspondents is that the main attack will come at 5am Iraq time...that's what they're saying. We did hear the explosions earlier...it was hard to tell whether that U.S. or Iraqi...there was a lot of noise and a lot of anti-aircraft.

LIVEONAOL: When you say, "it's a city with it's lights on." Does that mean Iraqis are behaving normally?

Johanna McGeary: I can't tell what they're doing...mind you it's 3:40 in the morning. I assume they're in their beds or in shelters. The Iraqis are prepared...don't see anyone out in the streets but you wouldn't anyway.

LIVEONAOL: What's the Iraqi government telling its citizens?

Johanna McGeary: Basically told them tonight that it didn't matter whether they were dying under the crushing sanctions or by the bombs...it didn't make any difference. They seemed very resigned to it.

LIVEONAOL: Thank you, Johanna McGeary, Time magazine correspondent in Baghdad. Stay safe.