Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq
Aired January 22, 2004 - 15:07 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Twenty-four hours, three deadly attacks, and two U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. It's been a bloody day in Iraq, particularly in the volatile Sunni Triangle region.
Michael Holmes reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Once again, the majority of victims are Iraqi, three attacks all in the Sunni Triangle, where insurgents have been most active against the coalition and those who work with it.
The most brazen attack was west of Baghdad, near Fallujah. A car pulled up alongside a van carrying women to work at a U.S. military base. Gunmen opened fire, killing three of the women, wounding others, the assault underscoring the increasing dangers for Iraqis who work for the occupation forces, insurgents considering them valid targets, targets also, Iraqi police. Hundreds have been killed in recent months, three more on Wednesday at a checkpoint between Ramadi and Fallujah, when men in two pickup trucks drove at the checkpoint, firing machine guns.
A civilian was also killed, several police wounded. A coalition spokesman conceded, the insurgents are picking their targets for a reason.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We believe that the purpose behind that is to send a message of terror to those people that, if you work for the coalition, that if you work alongside and try to support the coalition, we can reach out and touch you.
HOLMES: American troops hit back in this latest round of violence, counterattacking after two members of the 4th Infantry Division were killed near Baquba north of Baghdad. They were at a forward operating base when it was attacked by rockets and mortars. American soldiers returned fire, but their attackers had fled.
(on camera): Renewed attacks over the past week come at the worst possible time for the United States, as it waits for the United Nations to decide whether it will come here to investigate the feasibility of direct elections. Security, of course, always a top priority for the U.N.
(voice-over): The coalition adopting a holding pattern until the U.N. decides whether to return to Iraq or not. DANIEL SENOR, SENIOR ADVISER, COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY: We are looking forward to the possible deployment of a technical team being sent here by the United Nations to look at this issue of the viability of direct elections. We are not seriously considering any other options at this point.
HOLMES: The current deadline for a handover of power to Iraqis is June 30. It is a deadline now very fast approaching.
Michael Holmes, 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
Aired January 22, 2004 - 15:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Twenty-four hours, three deadly attacks, and two U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. It's been a bloody day in Iraq, particularly in the volatile Sunni Triangle region.
Michael Holmes reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Once again, the majority of victims are Iraqi, three attacks all in the Sunni Triangle, where insurgents have been most active against the coalition and those who work with it.
The most brazen attack was west of Baghdad, near Fallujah. A car pulled up alongside a van carrying women to work at a U.S. military base. Gunmen opened fire, killing three of the women, wounding others, the assault underscoring the increasing dangers for Iraqis who work for the occupation forces, insurgents considering them valid targets, targets also, Iraqi police. Hundreds have been killed in recent months, three more on Wednesday at a checkpoint between Ramadi and Fallujah, when men in two pickup trucks drove at the checkpoint, firing machine guns.
A civilian was also killed, several police wounded. A coalition spokesman conceded, the insurgents are picking their targets for a reason.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We believe that the purpose behind that is to send a message of terror to those people that, if you work for the coalition, that if you work alongside and try to support the coalition, we can reach out and touch you.
HOLMES: American troops hit back in this latest round of violence, counterattacking after two members of the 4th Infantry Division were killed near Baquba north of Baghdad. They were at a forward operating base when it was attacked by rockets and mortars. American soldiers returned fire, but their attackers had fled.
(on camera): Renewed attacks over the past week come at the worst possible time for the United States, as it waits for the United Nations to decide whether it will come here to investigate the feasibility of direct elections. Security, of course, always a top priority for the U.N.
(voice-over): The coalition adopting a holding pattern until the U.N. decides whether to return to Iraq or not. DANIEL SENOR, SENIOR ADVISER, COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY: We are looking forward to the possible deployment of a technical team being sent here by the United Nations to look at this issue of the viability of direct elections. We are not seriously considering any other options at this point.
HOLMES: The current deadline for a handover of power to Iraqis is June 30. It is a deadline now very fast approaching.
Michael Holmes, 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
