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CNN Sunday Morning

Sense of Anger Mounts Among Iraqis

Aired July 20, 2003 - 10:06   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.


SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to turn to Iraq now. More U.S. soldiers added to the growing casualty list. While troops continue to be targeted in deadly attacks, there's new signs of mounting anger among Iraqis. For all the latest information, we now go to live to CNN's Harris Whitbeck, who joins us from Baghdad. Good morning, Harris.
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Sean. Not only U. S. troops, but now international aid workers have been targeted. A convoy belonging to the International Organization for Migration was hit in the town of he Hillah, south of Baghdad. There was one Iraqi national who was driving one of those cars who was killed. Another aid worker was injured. Meanwhile, two U. S. soldiers were killed this morning when the convoy they were traveling in near Mosul in northern Iraq was hit by small arms fired by rocket-propelled grenades. There were three soldiers who were actually injured. Those who died -- those two who died in a military combat hospital because of their wounds.

Meanwhile, in the city of Najaf, there is growing sense of frustration, a lot of protests on the streets. There were tens of thousands of Shi'ites who took to the streets today to protest what they call -- what they call harassment of a prominent Shi'ite leader. The cleric, Montana al Sadar (ph), had delivered a speech Friday calling for volunteers to form a new army. He also denounced a U. S.- backed governing council and called for Iraq's majority Shi'ites to play a larger role in the country's political leadership.

The incidents in Najaf certainly seem to indicate a rise in anti- American sentiment, at least in some parts of the country. But with no end in sight to the American occupation, feelings in Iraq are mixed about the changes that are taking place here, particularly in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITBECK (voice over): Seventy-year-old Ahmed repairs a fishing net he has just recently begun to use on the banks of the Tigris River in front of one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces. His friend, Sahib, prepares for another day of fishing from his row boat. If they had tried this just for months ago, he said, they would have been shot by palace guards.

That is not all that has changed in the lives of these two old men. They say life in Baghdad under the American occupation has given them reason for hope. The Iraqi people just want to survive, he says. We want jobs and good salaries. If foreign companies come and work here, we will work with them.

The fish they catch is sold on Karada (ph) Street in the heart of Baghdad. One of the city's busiest markets, thousands of people visit it every day. Recently, though, shoppers say even going to market has become a matter of life and death. There is no security, says Kaola (ph), a housewife. "A woman alone cannot even open her purse in the market. The situation is so bad I just want to finish my shopping quickly and go home."

Residents of the Iraqi capital have seen a huge surge in street crimes since the American occupation. Shopkeeper Wahlid al Fartozi (ph), says his business has been hurt. "Things have changed, but we are suffering more," he says. "There is no electricity, there is no security, and people complain because prices are too high, and they can't afford to buy much."

Many are disillusioned with the way things have gone since Saddam Hussein was toppled last April. "Because Saddam was a tyrant we suffered," says this man, "but now it seems we jumped from the well into the sewage."

The old fishermen aren't bothered. Like fisherman everywhere, they prescribe patience.

Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS: OK. Harris Whitbeck from 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 July 20, 2003 - 10:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to turn to Iraq now. More U.S. soldiers added to the growing casualty list. While troops continue to be targeted in deadly attacks, there's new signs of mounting anger among Iraqis. For all the latest information, we now go to live to CNN's Harris Whitbeck, who joins us from Baghdad. Good morning, Harris.
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Sean. Not only U. S. troops, but now international aid workers have been targeted. A convoy belonging to the International Organization for Migration was hit in the town of he Hillah, south of Baghdad. There was one Iraqi national who was driving one of those cars who was killed. Another aid worker was injured. Meanwhile, two U. S. soldiers were killed this morning when the convoy they were traveling in near Mosul in northern Iraq was hit by small arms fired by rocket-propelled grenades. There were three soldiers who were actually injured. Those who died -- those two who died in a military combat hospital because of their wounds.

Meanwhile, in the city of Najaf, there is growing sense of frustration, a lot of protests on the streets. There were tens of thousands of Shi'ites who took to the streets today to protest what they call -- what they call harassment of a prominent Shi'ite leader. The cleric, Montana al Sadar (ph), had delivered a speech Friday calling for volunteers to form a new army. He also denounced a U. S.- backed governing council and called for Iraq's majority Shi'ites to play a larger role in the country's political leadership.

The incidents in Najaf certainly seem to indicate a rise in anti- American sentiment, at least in some parts of the country. But with no end in sight to the American occupation, feelings in Iraq are mixed about the changes that are taking place here, particularly in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITBECK (voice over): Seventy-year-old Ahmed repairs a fishing net he has just recently begun to use on the banks of the Tigris River in front of one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces. His friend, Sahib, prepares for another day of fishing from his row boat. If they had tried this just for months ago, he said, they would have been shot by palace guards.

That is not all that has changed in the lives of these two old men. They say life in Baghdad under the American occupation has given them reason for hope. The Iraqi people just want to survive, he says. We want jobs and good salaries. If foreign companies come and work here, we will work with them.

The fish they catch is sold on Karada (ph) Street in the heart of Baghdad. One of the city's busiest markets, thousands of people visit it every day. Recently, though, shoppers say even going to market has become a matter of life and death. There is no security, says Kaola (ph), a housewife. "A woman alone cannot even open her purse in the market. The situation is so bad I just want to finish my shopping quickly and go home."

Residents of the Iraqi capital have seen a huge surge in street crimes since the American occupation. Shopkeeper Wahlid al Fartozi (ph), says his business has been hurt. "Things have changed, but we are suffering more," he says. "There is no electricity, there is no security, and people complain because prices are too high, and they can't afford to buy much."

Many are disillusioned with the way things have gone since Saddam Hussein was toppled last April. "Because Saddam was a tyrant we suffered," says this man, "but now it seems we jumped from the well into the sewage."

The old fishermen aren't bothered. Like fisherman everywhere, they prescribe patience.

Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS: OK. Harris Whitbeck from 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