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American Morning
New Fallujah Clash
Aired April 30, 2003 - 07:04 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to Iraq quickly now, more on that clash in Fallujah, another one. For the second time this week, U.S. soldiers have fired on anti-American protesters in that town. And the clash comes as the secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld, arrives in Baghdad to meet there with U.S. troops.
Rym Brahimi live in the Iraqi capital watching the latest from there.
Good afternoon -- Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.
Well, indeed, a lot of confusion, again, on these renewed clashes that occurred this morning in the western town of Fallujah. It appears that at least one person was killed. Some reporters are now saying two people may have been killed in those clashes, when demonstrators, angry demonstrators, chanting anti-American slogans went to U.S. troops to march in front of U.S. troops today.
One soldier is reported as saying that he's not sure what happened. All he knows is that protestors were throwing stones at them, and they fired back. Associated Press reporters say they saw U.S. troops open fire. An investigation is apparently under way to find out more.
This follows, as you know, Bill, an incident that occurred on Monday night in which 15 people were killed and 53 injured, when anti- American demonstrators went to protest in front of a school where U.S. troops had taken -- made a base there. They wanted to take the school back in order to resume classes. Clashes erupted there. Again, not sure who starred the shootout, but there was a shootout. And, again, there were a lot of fatalities.
So, it's an indication, as you were saying, Bill, as to how volatile the region is and how security is really a major issue in this post-war Iraq -- Bill.
HEMMER: All this does not make the best environment for Donald Rumsfeld arriving today. What is his message when he speaks in about two-and-a-half hours from now?
BRAHIMI: Well, Donald Rumsfeld, as you know, arrived first in the southern city of Basra and then in Baghdad. In Basra, he was met by British officers, in fact, as well as U.S. troops. He's there mainly to thank them for their work. But also, he came sending this message. This is what he said on arrival. He said a number of human beings have been liberated, and they are out from under the heel of a vicious, brutal regime.
Now, whether he will be perceived as a liberator here in Baghdad or not is another issue against the backdrop of those events in Fallujah. And, indeed, a lot of people we spoke to here in Baghdad, asking them how they reacted to Rumsfeld's visit, well, there were mixed reactions. Some of them very grateful that the U.S. had, in their words, liberated them from Saddam Hussein's regime, but others very skeptical as to what the U.S. can bring them now.
Again, the main concern, facilities, water, electricity, and above all security -- Bill.
HEMMER: Rym Brahimi live in Baghdad.
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 30, 2003 - 07:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to Iraq quickly now, more on that clash in Fallujah, another one. For the second time this week, U.S. soldiers have fired on anti-American protesters in that town. And the clash comes as the secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld, arrives in Baghdad to meet there with U.S. troops.
Rym Brahimi live in the Iraqi capital watching the latest from there.
Good afternoon -- Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.
Well, indeed, a lot of confusion, again, on these renewed clashes that occurred this morning in the western town of Fallujah. It appears that at least one person was killed. Some reporters are now saying two people may have been killed in those clashes, when demonstrators, angry demonstrators, chanting anti-American slogans went to U.S. troops to march in front of U.S. troops today.
One soldier is reported as saying that he's not sure what happened. All he knows is that protestors were throwing stones at them, and they fired back. Associated Press reporters say they saw U.S. troops open fire. An investigation is apparently under way to find out more.
This follows, as you know, Bill, an incident that occurred on Monday night in which 15 people were killed and 53 injured, when anti- American demonstrators went to protest in front of a school where U.S. troops had taken -- made a base there. They wanted to take the school back in order to resume classes. Clashes erupted there. Again, not sure who starred the shootout, but there was a shootout. And, again, there were a lot of fatalities.
So, it's an indication, as you were saying, Bill, as to how volatile the region is and how security is really a major issue in this post-war Iraq -- Bill.
HEMMER: All this does not make the best environment for Donald Rumsfeld arriving today. What is his message when he speaks in about two-and-a-half hours from now?
BRAHIMI: Well, Donald Rumsfeld, as you know, arrived first in the southern city of Basra and then in Baghdad. In Basra, he was met by British officers, in fact, as well as U.S. troops. He's there mainly to thank them for their work. But also, he came sending this message. This is what he said on arrival. He said a number of human beings have been liberated, and they are out from under the heel of a vicious, brutal regime.
Now, whether he will be perceived as a liberator here in Baghdad or not is another issue against the backdrop of those events in Fallujah. And, indeed, a lot of people we spoke to here in Baghdad, asking them how they reacted to Rumsfeld's visit, well, there were mixed reactions. Some of them very grateful that the U.S. had, in their words, liberated them from Saddam Hussein's regime, but others very skeptical as to what the U.S. can bring them now.
Again, the main concern, facilities, water, electricity, and above all security -- Bill.
HEMMER: Rym Brahimi live in Baghdad.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
