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CNN Live Today
American Soldier Killed by Homemade Bomb
Aired August 26, 2003 - 11:23 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: An American soldier was killed by a homemade bomb in Iraq today, and that brings the number of troops killed since the end of major combat, May 1st, to 139, and that number is higher than those who died in the war itself.
CNN's Ben Wedeman now on duty today in Baghdad. He checks in.
Hello, Ben.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Leon, that soldier was from the 3rd Corps Support Command. He was killed by what the military describes as an explosive -- an improvised explosive device, which was placed next to their convoy, which was driving northwest of Baghdad. As you mentioned, that brings to 139, the number of U.S. servicemen killed in Iraq since May 1st. That's when President Bush declared an end to all major combat operations in Iraq.
Now 61 of those 139 servicemen were killed in hostile actions. The rest died as a result of illnesses and accidents.
Now elsewhere in Iraq, U.S. troops conducted another raid, this time around the Iraqi town of (AUDIO GAP).
... Jimmy Hoffa.
Now the raid, which involved more than 100 U.S. troops, netted a variety of individuals suspected of membership in what the U.S. is describing as a criminal gang that has been involved in attacks on U.S. forces in addition to gun running.
Meanwhile, south of Baghdad, in the Shiite holy city of Karbala (ph), troops from Bulgaria took -- began taking control of that city from U.S. Marines. That is a 500-man contingent that will be in complete control of Karbala by September 3rd. Unfortunately for the Bulgarians, Karbala has been quiet since the fall of Saddam's regime in April.
Now the United States made it clear it wants to share the increasing heavy burden of running the country and they do want to internationalize the occupation.
Meanwhile, another international organization voted on Iraqi stability with its feet. The British charity OXFAM (ph) declared today they would pulling out 10 of their international staff members, leaving behind 50 strong Iraqi staff.
Now this follows in the footsteps of other international organizations, including the Red Cross, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Now the United States is continuing to try to collect weapons today. They were handing out this leaflet, which is calling on Iraqis to hand over any shoulder-held anti-aircraft missiles they might have. In exchange, they will receive $500 -- Leon.
HARRIS: Ben Wedeman in Baghdad, thank you very much. Be careful there, Ben. See you soon.
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 26, 2003 - 11:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: An American soldier was killed by a homemade bomb in Iraq today, and that brings the number of troops killed since the end of major combat, May 1st, to 139, and that number is higher than those who died in the war itself.
CNN's Ben Wedeman now on duty today in Baghdad. He checks in.
Hello, Ben.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Leon, that soldier was from the 3rd Corps Support Command. He was killed by what the military describes as an explosive -- an improvised explosive device, which was placed next to their convoy, which was driving northwest of Baghdad. As you mentioned, that brings to 139, the number of U.S. servicemen killed in Iraq since May 1st. That's when President Bush declared an end to all major combat operations in Iraq.
Now 61 of those 139 servicemen were killed in hostile actions. The rest died as a result of illnesses and accidents.
Now elsewhere in Iraq, U.S. troops conducted another raid, this time around the Iraqi town of (AUDIO GAP).
... Jimmy Hoffa.
Now the raid, which involved more than 100 U.S. troops, netted a variety of individuals suspected of membership in what the U.S. is describing as a criminal gang that has been involved in attacks on U.S. forces in addition to gun running.
Meanwhile, south of Baghdad, in the Shiite holy city of Karbala (ph), troops from Bulgaria took -- began taking control of that city from U.S. Marines. That is a 500-man contingent that will be in complete control of Karbala by September 3rd. Unfortunately for the Bulgarians, Karbala has been quiet since the fall of Saddam's regime in April.
Now the United States made it clear it wants to share the increasing heavy burden of running the country and they do want to internationalize the occupation.
Meanwhile, another international organization voted on Iraqi stability with its feet. The British charity OXFAM (ph) declared today they would pulling out 10 of their international staff members, leaving behind 50 strong Iraqi staff.
Now this follows in the footsteps of other international organizations, including the Red Cross, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Now the United States is continuing to try to collect weapons today. They were handing out this leaflet, which is calling on Iraqis to hand over any shoulder-held anti-aircraft missiles they might have. In exchange, they will receive $500 -- Leon.
HARRIS: Ben Wedeman in Baghdad, thank you very much. Be careful there, Ben. See you soon.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
