Military

DATE=1/12/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / CLASH (S-O)

NUMBER=2-311758

BYLINE=SONJA PACE

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The U-S military says troops shot and killed seven Iraqis during a clash with an armed group that was trying to steal oil from a pipeline in central Iraq. V-O-A's Sonja Pace reports from Baghdad.

TEXT: Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt said an Iraqi informant led the troops to a group of about 40 armed Iraqis attempting to steal oil from a pipeline.

/// KIMMITT ACT ///

Forces attempted to apprehend the Iraqis, but the Iraqis opened fire on them. The units returned fire, killing seven personnel and destroying three fuel tankers.

/// END ACT ///

The incident occurred Sunday near the town of Samarra. The U-S led coalition has blamed sabotage, theft, and smuggling for continuing fuel shortages in Iraq.

In a separate incident, the military says one U-S soldier was killed and two wounded by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. (SIGNED)

NEB/SP/MAR/KL/RAE