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Iraqi Father Wants U.S. Doctors to Remove Bullet From Son's Head
Aired January 14, 2004 - 06:37 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: Three weeks after major combat was declared over, a little boy became the victim of a single errant bullet fired by U.S. troops. The boy's father wants U.S. doctors to remove the bullet, but it has been a fight to get anything done.
Our Satinder Bindra is in Baghdad with that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bakarali Hussein (ph) is like any 4-year-old. He hangs out with his siblings and loves toys. But his movements are sometimes jerky and uncoordinated.
On May 26 of last year, more than three weeks after the U.S. declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq, Bakarali's (ph) family says he was out playing. That's when they say an explosion occurred. U.S. forces stationed in the area, say family members, fired in the direction of the explosion. One bullet, says Bakarali's (ph) father, hit his child.
ALI HUSSEIN, FATHER (through translator): The bullet is still in his head. His left eye does not work, and his jaw does not work either. Nor can he hear, and his speech is impaired. Also, his legs are twisted, and he has a temper.
BINDRA: Shortly after the firing, Bakarali's (ph) family says they were promised compensation and treatment, but they say that hasn't happened.
(on camera): Coalition authorities turned down our request for an on-camera interview. In a written reply, they pointed out the United States does pay for personal injury, wrongful death or property damage. But these payments, they say, are only made for non-combat- related activities and when soldiers have acted negligently or wrongfully.
(voice-over): The statement did not respond specifically to Bakarali's (ph) case, but the U.S. says it has appointed 31 claims commissions like this throughout Iraq. They've paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for car accidents, death of farm animals, and wrongful deaths.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We understand that, but the loss of your child is a tragedy. BINDRA: Meanwhile, Iraqi human rights groups are backing Bakarali's (ph) case. His father points out Bakarali (ph) was injured after combat operations were declared over, and he deservers a compassionate hearing.
HUSSEIN (through translator): Before the accident, he used to go out and play with the children, living his life as a child, whereas now he is living his life as a disabled child.
BINDRA: Bakarali's (ph) father says he doesn't want any monetary compensation, but he says there's a U.S. bullet in Bakarali's (ph) head, and it's only fair U.S. doctors take it out and try to give him back his childhood.
Satinder Bindra, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Son's Head>
Aired January 14, 2004 - 06:37 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Three weeks after major combat was declared over, a little boy became the victim of a single errant bullet fired by U.S. troops. The boy's father wants U.S. doctors to remove the bullet, but it has been a fight to get anything done.
Our Satinder Bindra is in Baghdad with that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bakarali Hussein (ph) is like any 4-year-old. He hangs out with his siblings and loves toys. But his movements are sometimes jerky and uncoordinated.
On May 26 of last year, more than three weeks after the U.S. declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq, Bakarali's (ph) family says he was out playing. That's when they say an explosion occurred. U.S. forces stationed in the area, say family members, fired in the direction of the explosion. One bullet, says Bakarali's (ph) father, hit his child.
ALI HUSSEIN, FATHER (through translator): The bullet is still in his head. His left eye does not work, and his jaw does not work either. Nor can he hear, and his speech is impaired. Also, his legs are twisted, and he has a temper.
BINDRA: Shortly after the firing, Bakarali's (ph) family says they were promised compensation and treatment, but they say that hasn't happened.
(on camera): Coalition authorities turned down our request for an on-camera interview. In a written reply, they pointed out the United States does pay for personal injury, wrongful death or property damage. But these payments, they say, are only made for non-combat- related activities and when soldiers have acted negligently or wrongfully.
(voice-over): The statement did not respond specifically to Bakarali's (ph) case, but the U.S. says it has appointed 31 claims commissions like this throughout Iraq. They've paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for car accidents, death of farm animals, and wrongful deaths.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We understand that, but the loss of your child is a tragedy. BINDRA: Meanwhile, Iraqi human rights groups are backing Bakarali's (ph) case. His father points out Bakarali (ph) was injured after combat operations were declared over, and he deservers a compassionate hearing.
HUSSEIN (through translator): Before the accident, he used to go out and play with the children, living his life as a child, whereas now he is living his life as a disabled child.
BINDRA: Bakarali's (ph) father says he doesn't want any monetary compensation, but he says there's a U.S. bullet in Bakarali's (ph) head, and it's only fair U.S. doctors take it out and try to give him back his childhood.
Satinder Bindra, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Son's Head>
