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The New Iraq: Explosion Near Offices of Iraqi Foreign Ministry

Aired October 07, 2003 - 06:10   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: On to Iraq now where a loud explosion has rocked the Foreign Ministry and gunfire was heard just a short time ago.
Harris Whitbeck is live in Baghdad. He has more details for us now.

Good morning -- Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Coalition provisional authorities are confirming that either a mortar or a rocket-propelled grenade was launched against a building housing the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. That building is only a few blocks from the Al-Rasheed Hotel, which houses many of the CPA officials who are currently working in Baghdad. There were no injuries to report.

But we can report that after that explosion was heard, there was gunfire on the streets. Gunfire apparently between Iraqi police guarding the Foreign Ministry and unknown assailants. U.S. soldiers cordoned off the streets immediately surrounding the Foreign Ministry which had been filled just minutes before by a group of protestors who were making their way to the building complex that houses many of the U.S. installations in Iraq. Again, no injuries to report.

But we can confirm that some sort of explosive device was launched against the Foreign Ministry in Baghdad. It hit the lower floors there. The people had to leave the building. But again, no injuries to report -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Harris Whitbeck reporting 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





Ministry>


Aired October 7, 2003 - 06:10   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: On to Iraq now where a loud explosion has rocked the Foreign Ministry and gunfire was heard just a short time ago.
Harris Whitbeck is live in Baghdad. He has more details for us now.

Good morning -- Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Coalition provisional authorities are confirming that either a mortar or a rocket-propelled grenade was launched against a building housing the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. That building is only a few blocks from the Al-Rasheed Hotel, which houses many of the CPA officials who are currently working in Baghdad. There were no injuries to report.

But we can report that after that explosion was heard, there was gunfire on the streets. Gunfire apparently between Iraqi police guarding the Foreign Ministry and unknown assailants. U.S. soldiers cordoned off the streets immediately surrounding the Foreign Ministry which had been filled just minutes before by a group of protestors who were making their way to the building complex that houses many of the U.S. installations in Iraq. Again, no injuries to report.

But we can confirm that some sort of explosive device was launched against the Foreign Ministry in Baghdad. It hit the lower floors there. The people had to leave the building. But again, no injuries to report -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Harris Whitbeck reporting 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





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