Military

DATE= 12/13/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= (CQ) IRAQ / WRAP (L-O)

NUMBER=2-321120

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: REISSUED TO CHANGE CASUALTY FIGURE FROM "SIX" TO "SEVEN" IN INTRO, DROP THE WORD "TWO" FROM THE FIRST LINE OF SEVENTH GRAF. UPDATE INTRO AS WARRANTED///

HEADLINE: Suicide Car Bomber Attacks Baghdad Green Zone

INTRO: At least seven people were killed and more than a dozen others were injured,

Monday, when a suicide car bomber attacked a security checkpoint in central

Baghdad. The attack occurred on the one-year anniversary of the capture of former

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. VOA's Greg LaMotte is in the Iraqi capital and has

details.

TEXT: The powerful blast was heard throughout much of Baghdad. It occurred about

nine o'clock in the morning, outside of the so-called Green Zone.

The area, which houses the interim government in Iraq along with several foreign

embassies, is the most heavily protected section in the capital.

Authorities say a suicide car bomber, waiting in line to enter a checkpoint at

the Green Zone, blew himself up. Numerous other vehicles were also destroyed. The

blast occurred as many Iraqis were arriving to show up for work inside the Green

Zone.

Checkpoints around the Green Zone have become one of several favorite targets of

insurgents in the country, as they attempt to disrupt elections scheduled for

next month. However, a senior interim government official says the attack on

Monday could have been associated with the one year anniversary of the capture of

Saddam Hussein, which occurred on December 13th 2003.

The same official says the insurgency, one year later, as he puts it, is "much

stronger" than anyone had anticipated. However, he insists the insurgency would

be brought under control and says elections will be held next month, as

scheduled.

Sunday, eight American Marines were killed in the Anbar Province, which includes the

cities Fallujah and Ramadi, west of Baghdad.

The military says the Marines were killed in separate security and

stabilization operations. However, military officials refused to release the exact

nature of their deaths, citing security concerns for other Marine units operating

in the area.

The deaths Sunday equaled the highest number of Marines killed in a single day,

since a car bomb exploded outside of Falljuah, October 30th.

Falljuah was the scene last month of a U.S.-led offensive to root out insurgent

strongholds in the city.

The deaths Sunday occurred one day after American warplanes attacked Fallujah

with missiles, as insurgents battled with coalition forces in the city.

(Signed)

NEB/GL/WD