Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
A Closer Look at One of 5,000 War Injuries
Aired April 08, 2003 - 15:18 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.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. officials have said repeatedly they're working to minimize civilian casualties inside Iraq. But despite their best efforts, some of the most vulnerable among the Iraqi people have been caught in the crossfire of war.
We get more now from reporter John Draper of ITN.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN DRAPER, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the heart- rending reality of the innocence caught up in war, the story of 12- year-old Ali Ismaeel Abbas, has moved people across the world. Yet he's just one of thousands maimed in the conflict.
Ali lost both arms and was badly burned when a missile struck his home in Baghdad. His family had been asleep in bed. His younger brother was killed, as was his father and his pregnant mother.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the tragedy of the -- of the war. His house and his neighbors and the houses of his neighbors and relatives was attacked by a rocket and all the family of Ali was killed.
DRAPER: Ali's aunt is by his bedside, wiping his tears, telling him his parents are in heaven.
The sight of youngsters like Ali and the other civilians injured as the fighting in Baghdad has intensified, is causing much bitterness among Iraqis and makes harder the American aim of persuading them they're being liberated, not conquered.
The Red Cross is delivering drugs and anesthetics, which some hospitals have already run out. It's hard to imagine the pain and sheer misery this boy is going through.
Ali says if he can't get artificial arms, he wants to die.
John Draper, ITN News.
(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
Aired April 8, 2003 - 15:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. officials have said repeatedly they're working to minimize civilian casualties inside Iraq. But despite their best efforts, some of the most vulnerable among the Iraqi people have been caught in the crossfire of war.
We get more now from reporter John Draper of ITN.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN DRAPER, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the heart- rending reality of the innocence caught up in war, the story of 12- year-old Ali Ismaeel Abbas, has moved people across the world. Yet he's just one of thousands maimed in the conflict.
Ali lost both arms and was badly burned when a missile struck his home in Baghdad. His family had been asleep in bed. His younger brother was killed, as was his father and his pregnant mother.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the tragedy of the -- of the war. His house and his neighbors and the houses of his neighbors and relatives was attacked by a rocket and all the family of Ali was killed.
DRAPER: Ali's aunt is by his bedside, wiping his tears, telling him his parents are in heaven.
The sight of youngsters like Ali and the other civilians injured as the fighting in Baghdad has intensified, is causing much bitterness among Iraqis and makes harder the American aim of persuading them they're being liberated, not conquered.
The Red Cross is delivering drugs and anesthetics, which some hospitals have already run out. It's hard to imagine the pain and sheer misery this boy is going through.
Ali says if he can't get artificial arms, he wants to die.
John Draper, ITN News.
(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
