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U.S. Soldier Killed in Iraq
Aired July 14, 2003 - 06:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hope for order and another sign it's a long way off. On the day the U.S.-backed Iraqi governing council names a leader, one more U.S. soldier is killed.
Live to Baghdad and Harris Whitbeck.
Harris -- what happened.
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, apparently the soldier who was killed was part of a convoy that was operating in western Baghdad in the Al Mansur area. This convoy was traveling on a street there when it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. One U.S. soldier was killed and six more were wounded. The wounded were evacuated to a military combat hospital for treatment.
But the U.S. military here is in a state of heightened alert today. July 14 is the anniversary of the 1958 toppling of the Iraqi monarchy, which led to Saddam Hussein's eventual rise to power. Military authorities here are concerned that this anniversary might be commemorated by Saddam loyalists by launching attacks on U.S. and coalition forces. So, again, that is a matter of concern.
July 17, another very important date here, another Saddam Hussein-related anniversary, so that state of heightened alert will continue for several days.
Meanwhile on the political front, the governing council, which was named yesterday -- it's comprised of 25 members who represent the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq -- that council is meeting today to elect a new leader. The leader of that governing council will be in charge of naming interim ministers for the Iraqi government. They'll also be working on a budget for the year 2004, and they will start paving the way for the steps to be taken for the writing of a new constitution. This is considered to be the most important political step taken since Saddam Hussein was ousted last April 9.
Now, the naming of this council has not been without controversy. There have been several small protests in Baghdad today. Some people feel that the council members, many of whom were former Iraqi exiles, do not truly represent the interest of all of the Iraqi people. Many people resent the fact that many of these people, who were away as exiles for so many years, have come back to try to tell the people how to run their country. So, there's a little bit of controversy related to that.
But, again, people do think that the naming of this governing council is a very important step that will eventually lead Iraq towards being led by its own people -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We'll await to hear whose is named president. Harris Whitbeck live from Baghdad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired July 14, 2003 - 06:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hope for order and another sign it's a long way off. On the day the U.S.-backed Iraqi governing council names a leader, one more U.S. soldier is killed.
Live to Baghdad and Harris Whitbeck.
Harris -- what happened.
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, apparently the soldier who was killed was part of a convoy that was operating in western Baghdad in the Al Mansur area. This convoy was traveling on a street there when it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. One U.S. soldier was killed and six more were wounded. The wounded were evacuated to a military combat hospital for treatment.
But the U.S. military here is in a state of heightened alert today. July 14 is the anniversary of the 1958 toppling of the Iraqi monarchy, which led to Saddam Hussein's eventual rise to power. Military authorities here are concerned that this anniversary might be commemorated by Saddam loyalists by launching attacks on U.S. and coalition forces. So, again, that is a matter of concern.
July 17, another very important date here, another Saddam Hussein-related anniversary, so that state of heightened alert will continue for several days.
Meanwhile on the political front, the governing council, which was named yesterday -- it's comprised of 25 members who represent the different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq -- that council is meeting today to elect a new leader. The leader of that governing council will be in charge of naming interim ministers for the Iraqi government. They'll also be working on a budget for the year 2004, and they will start paving the way for the steps to be taken for the writing of a new constitution. This is considered to be the most important political step taken since Saddam Hussein was ousted last April 9.
Now, the naming of this council has not been without controversy. There have been several small protests in Baghdad today. Some people feel that the council members, many of whom were former Iraqi exiles, do not truly represent the interest of all of the Iraqi people. Many people resent the fact that many of these people, who were away as exiles for so many years, have come back to try to tell the people how to run their country. So, there's a little bit of controversy related to that.
But, again, people do think that the naming of this governing council is a very important step that will eventually lead Iraq towards being led by its own people -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We'll await to hear whose is named president. Harris Whitbeck live from Baghdad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
