Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=7/07/03

TYPE=INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

TITLE=IRAQ

NUMBER=3-721

BYLINE=RAFFAELE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq

INTRODUCTION

The number of U.S. casualties continues to grow in Iraq, even as a newly-formed Baghdad council meets for the first time in the post-Saddam era. Robert Raffaele begins our broadcast with the latest developments from Iraq.

NARRATOR

Two more U.S. soldiers have been killed in attacks in Iraq. American military officials say the soldiers died in separate attacks on their convoys in Baghdad.

In another incident, several soldiers were wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade in the town of Ramadi. The Ramadi attack happened one day after seven Iraqi recruits to a U.S.-backed police force were killed when a remote-controlled bomb exploded outside a police station.

An American soldier was also killed Sunday when he was shot at close range at Baghdad University. At least 28 U.S. troops have been killed in hostile action since May First.

The departing U.S. commander of the war in Iraq, General Tommy Franks, says this is not the time to send more troops to the region, despite targeted attacks at U.S. forces. The general, who retired Monday, told ABC News he thinks the current troop level of 145,000 is sufficient.

GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS

"The purpose of the conflict was to remove the regime. In fact, the regime is gone and now we feel, we feel that it's time to work with the Iraqis in the midst of these stability and security problems in order to permit the people to put an Iraqi face on their own government and to move forward."

NARRATOR

In another development, the top U.S. civil administrator for Iraq, Paul Bremer addressed the inaugural session of the new Baghdad City Council.

Mister Bremer praised the 37 council members for taking up their posts, despite ongoing attacks against other Iraqis who have cooperated with coalition forces.

PAUL BREMER/U.S. CIVIL ADMINISTRATOR IN IRAQ

"Today is a very important day in Baghdad. Indeed, it is perhaps the most important day since April 9th when the coalition forces came here and liberated you from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein."

NARRATOR

In the United States, the Central Intelligence Agency says that a recent audiotape recording said to be made by Saddam Hussein is most likely authentic.

But a spokesman said the poor quality of the tape prevented analysts from knowing for certain if the voice was that of the former Iraqi leader. The tape was broadcast by the al-Jazeera Network Friday.

Robert Raffaele, VOA-TV