Military

DATE=11/23/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KUWAIT/SUSPECT (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-296776

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=KUWAIT CITY

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A Kuwaiti policeman suspected of shooting two U-S soldiers near the capital of Kuwait on Thursday has been extradited from Saudi Arabia. V-O-A's Greg LaMotte has details from Kuwait City.

TEXT: Kuwaiti authorities say Khalid al-Shimmari is being questioned, after Saudi authorities handed over the suspect early Saturday morning.

They say the Kuwaiti policeman fled to Saudi Arabia Thursday, after allegedly shooting two U-S soldiers in their car during an ambush. One of the soldiers was shot in the face, the other in the shoulder. Both are expected to make full recoveries. Mr. al-Shimmari was apprehended in Saudi Arabia Friday.

U-S military officials would not speculate on the motive behind the attack. It was the fifth shooting-related incident involving U-S troops over the past two months in Kuwait.

Last month, a U-S marine was killed and another wounded after being shot by two Kuwaitis. Those assailants were shot and killed by other U-S troops, who were involved in military training exercises in Kuwait.

Following that incident, Kuwaiti authorities rounded up 15 suspects they said were involved in planning the attack.

U-S and Kuwaiti troops are engaged in continuing military exercises in the Gulf emirate. There are about 10-thousand U-S troops stationed in Kuwait. (Signed)

NEB/GL/ALW/TW