Military

DATE=1/18/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ/BOMB (L)

NUMBER=2-311984

BYLINE= SONJA PACE

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///// WATCH WIRES FOR NEW CASUALTY FIGURES AND UPDATE INTRO ACCORDINGLY /////

INTRO: A car bomb explosion in central Baghdad, outside the headquarters of the U-S - led coalition, has killed about 20 people and injured more than 60 others. Most of the casualties were Iraqis in what military officials say was a likely suicide attack . V-O-A's Sonja Pace was at the blast site and has this report.

TEXT: The massive car bomb exploded near the main entrance leading to the U-S military and civilian headquarters in Baghdad. Colonel Ralph Baker is responsible for security in the area and spoke to reporters at the bomb site.

/// BAKER ACT ///

At three minutes after eight a vehicle driven by a terrorist detonated just outside of one of our major checkpoints with approximately one-thousand pounds (500 kilograms) of explosives in the vehicle.

/// END ACT ///

The attack occurred at a busy time, when Iraqis were lined up at the checkpoint on their way to work at coalition headquarters. This is also where many Iraqis come every day to apply for jobs with the coalition. Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt told reporters the attack was likely the work of a suicide bomber.

/// KIMMITT ACT ///

We can confirm that we found no person leaving any vehicle. It would appear by all indicators that this was a suicide bomb.

/// END ACT ///

/// BEGIN OPT /// General Kimmitt said it appeared that at least two American citizens - U-S contractors - were among the dead. The military also said that three U-S soldiers were slightly injured in the attack, but that they were quickly treated and returned to duty. /// END OPT ///

Witnesses described a devastating scene after the attack - people lying on the ground and others trapped in burning cars. The bomb site is also near a major thoroughfare and Bashir Jumair said his car was stuck in traffic when the attack occurred.

/// JUMAIR ACT IN ARABIC - FADE UNDER ///

I was in my car, he says, when I heard an explosion and saw three or four cars on fire. He says he got out of the car, not even realizing that his head had been cut by flying glass and was bleeding.

Mr. Jumair was treated on the scene and sat on the curb watching as U-S troops cordoned off the area and investigators began to scour the scene for clues. (SIGNED)

NEB/SP/DW/RAE