Military

DATE= 07/14/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BAGHDAD / BLAST (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-317471

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A massive explosion rocked central Baghdad Wednesday morning near the headquarters of the Iraqi-interim government, killing at least 10 Iraqis. As many as 40 others were wounded. VOA's Greg LaMotte is in Baghdad with the story.

TEXT:

/ / / NAT SOUND SIREN FADE UNDER / / /

At about nine-twenty in the morning, local time, a suicide car bomber drove up to one of the main entrances to what is called the "green zone." It is a heavily-protected area where the Iraqi interim government conducts business and where Baghdad's convention center and the U.S. embassy are located.

It is also a location where many Iraqis line up each morning hoping to find work with the new government or with one of the many contractors that also have offices in the green zone.

The car blew up in a massive explosion that rattled windows several kilometers away, as thick, black smoke billowed into the air.

The bombing occurred on the July 14th Iraqi national holiday marking the 1958 overthrow of Iraq's monarchy.

Wednesday's blast was the first significant bombing in Baghdad in several weeks.

Also on Wednesday, one of two Bulgarians being held hostage by Islamic militants was beheaded by his captors. The fate of the other Bulgarian remains unknown although the kidnappers have threatened to kill that hostage within the next 24 hours.

The fate of a Filipino truck driver being held hostage also remains unknown, although the Philippines began withdrawing its peacekeepers from Iraq earlier than had been planned, as the hostage takers demanded. (Signed)

NEB/GL/AWP