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CNN Live Today
The New Iraq: Security and Fear
Aired August 25, 2003 - 11:03 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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Security concerns in Iraq could mean less help where it's needed most. The Red Cross, worried about becoming a terrorist target, is pulling some of its people out of the country, while the U.S.-backed coalition provisional authority is trying to get more Iraqi police out on the streets.
Let's check in with our Rym Brahimi. She is standing by live in Baghdad.
Hello, Rym. What's the latest?
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.
Well, there are a couple of things. Quite a bit has been going on today and yesterday. First of all, right as we speak now, right now, a couple thousand demonstrators are heading towards the Republican palace, which is where the coalition authority is based and has some of its offices. These followers of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) one Shia movement, but a different Shia movement than the group that was marching this morning in the holy city of Najaf. Now they were marching through a funeral possession because of the death of three people, three bodyguards of the religious cleric that were killed in an explosion yesterday. The explosion took -- occurred near the house of this prominent religious cleric. His three bodyguards were killed. There has not been speculation yet as to who would have perpetrated that attack, but a spokesman for that group of the religious cleric says these were terrorists and people who were enemies of Iraq.
Ultimately, as you say, though, the security issues, many people point out, rest in the hands of the United States. The U.S. coalition forces are saying they are working very, very hard to bring about a safe and secure environment in Iraq.
Meanwhile at the site where the tragic bombing of the United Nations compound occurred a week ago tomorrow, well, reporters were briefed by U.S. and U.N. officials. Twenty bodies are now confirmed dead, meaning there are still two people missing for the time being. The search and recovery part of that operation is now over, and seven bodies were handed over finally to families, relatives of Iraqi local staff that have been asking for them for more than six days now.
Back to you, Leon.
HARRIS: All right, thank you so much. Rym Brahimi live in Baghdad.
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 August 25, 2003 - 11:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Security concerns in Iraq could mean less help where it's needed most. The Red Cross, worried about becoming a terrorist target, is pulling some of its people out of the country, while the U.S.-backed coalition provisional authority is trying to get more Iraqi police out on the streets.
Let's check in with our Rym Brahimi. She is standing by live in Baghdad.
Hello, Rym. What's the latest?
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.
Well, there are a couple of things. Quite a bit has been going on today and yesterday. First of all, right as we speak now, right now, a couple thousand demonstrators are heading towards the Republican palace, which is where the coalition authority is based and has some of its offices. These followers of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) one Shia movement, but a different Shia movement than the group that was marching this morning in the holy city of Najaf. Now they were marching through a funeral possession because of the death of three people, three bodyguards of the religious cleric that were killed in an explosion yesterday. The explosion took -- occurred near the house of this prominent religious cleric. His three bodyguards were killed. There has not been speculation yet as to who would have perpetrated that attack, but a spokesman for that group of the religious cleric says these were terrorists and people who were enemies of Iraq.
Ultimately, as you say, though, the security issues, many people point out, rest in the hands of the United States. The U.S. coalition forces are saying they are working very, very hard to bring about a safe and secure environment in Iraq.
Meanwhile at the site where the tragic bombing of the United Nations compound occurred a week ago tomorrow, well, reporters were briefed by U.S. and U.N. officials. Twenty bodies are now confirmed dead, meaning there are still two people missing for the time being. The search and recovery part of that operation is now over, and seven bodies were handed over finally to families, relatives of Iraqi local staff that have been asking for them for more than six days now.
Back to you, Leon.
HARRIS: All right, thank you so much. Rym Brahimi live in Baghdad.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
