Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/2/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / FALLUJA (L O)

NUMBER=2-302832

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=FALLUJA, IRAQ

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Iraqi town of Falluja appeared to be calm on Friday after clashes earlier in the week between American soldiers and demonstrators. More than a dozen Iraqis were killed in two shooting incidents and seven U-S soldiers were injured in a grenade attack. Correspondent Laurie Kassman has the details in Falluja.

TEXT: /// VOICE FROM MOSQUE LOUDSPEAKER AND FADE ///

Religious leaders in Falluja called for calm during sermons following traditional Muslim prayers Friday. They warned worshipers not to listen to those who try to provoke clashes between American soldiers and Iraqis.

But at the same time, they also urged Iraqis to defend their homeland against any occupation by outside forces.

Falluja's mayor, religious and local leaders are trying to encourage calm to ease tensions between town residents and American soldiers stationed there.

American military patrols also use loudspeakers to tell Falluja's residents they are there to restore stability and not to cause trouble.

The town is considered a stronghold of Saddam supporters.

Earlier in the week, U-S soldiers fired on a crowd of protesters after shots were fired at a school they were using as a base of operation.

The next day, Tuesday, soldiers in a U-S military convoy returned fire after they say they were shot at by someone in a crowd that had gathered in front of the mayor's office, located next to another U-S compound.

More than a dozen Iraqis were killed and scores more injured in the two incidents.

In the early hours of Wednesday, a grenade was tossed into the U-S military compound, injuring seven soldiers.

Angry residents say they want the Americans to leave Falluja. They refer to them as a force of occupation.

Falluja's self-appointed mayor, Taha Bidawi al Alwani, says he wants the U-S troops to relocate to the edge of town to ease tensions. He spoke through a translator

/// ALWANI ACT IN ARABIC, EST AND FADE TO TRANSLATION ///

They are not refusing the American presence around the city as a security measure but they refuse the American existence in the city and the streets.

/// END ACT ///

U-S military spokesman Captain Bren Workman says discussions are continuing on how to resolve the issue.

/// WORKMAN ACT ///

By all accounts it is calm today. And we read the tea leaves. We take into account all we possibly can in regards to a successful accomplishment of our mission to stabilize this area. And, there is no specific indicators of things that might thwart us in that endeavor.

/// END ACT ///

Local leaders and the U-S military suggest that some people loyal to Saddam Hussein are trying to stir up trouble. (Signed)

NEB/LMK/KL/RH/FC