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American Morning

New Attacks on U.S. Troops in Iraq

Aired July 04, 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.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to go back to Iraq now, Miles, where new attacks have left an American soldier dead and at least 10 others wounded. Officials say the soldier was killed while guarding the National Museum in the capital.
Jane Arraf is live in Baghdad now with the very latest on all of this.

Good morning to you -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Heidi.

On this Fourth of July, there are barbecues, sporting events and movies being shown, but it really takes away from that festive atmosphere that U.S. troops are trying to engage in on this holiday, the word of the latest casualties. As you mentioned, one soldier killed from the 1st Armored Division as he was guarding the Baghdad Municipal Museum. Now, he was apparently shot while he was standing in the gun turret of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle just outside of the museum last evening.

And overnight, a major mortar attack on a U.S. military post in the town of Balad north of the capital. Now, between 10 and 19 American soldiers are believed wounded, as well as another one wounded in an attack this morning on a U.S. military vehicle that either ran over or was hit by an explosive device.

Now, to try to take their mind off things, there are celebrations planned for the troops. One of them involves Arnold Schwarzenegger, the movie star and former bodybuilder, who has flown in to entertain the troops on this day. He's having meals with them, according to the U.S. military, before he flies off to other points in the Gulf -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Well, we keep asking questions, Jane, about the morale there, especially with all of the latest attacks. Hopefully Arnold Schwarzenegger will be able to boost that morale just a little bit this morning. Jane Arraf, thanks so much -- live from Baghdad today.

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 July 4, 2003 - 07:04   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to go back to Iraq now, Miles, where new attacks have left an American soldier dead and at least 10 others wounded. Officials say the soldier was killed while guarding the National Museum in the capital.
Jane Arraf is live in Baghdad now with the very latest on all of this.

Good morning to you -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Heidi.

On this Fourth of July, there are barbecues, sporting events and movies being shown, but it really takes away from that festive atmosphere that U.S. troops are trying to engage in on this holiday, the word of the latest casualties. As you mentioned, one soldier killed from the 1st Armored Division as he was guarding the Baghdad Municipal Museum. Now, he was apparently shot while he was standing in the gun turret of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle just outside of the museum last evening.

And overnight, a major mortar attack on a U.S. military post in the town of Balad north of the capital. Now, between 10 and 19 American soldiers are believed wounded, as well as another one wounded in an attack this morning on a U.S. military vehicle that either ran over or was hit by an explosive device.

Now, to try to take their mind off things, there are celebrations planned for the troops. One of them involves Arnold Schwarzenegger, the movie star and former bodybuilder, who has flown in to entertain the troops on this day. He's having meals with them, according to the U.S. military, before he flies off to other points in the Gulf -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Well, we keep asking questions, Jane, about the morale there, especially with all of the latest attacks. Hopefully Arnold Schwarzenegger will be able to boost that morale just a little bit this morning. Jane Arraf, thanks so much -- live from Baghdad today.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.