IK/162
SC/5772
10 January 1994
SHOT FIRED AT SPECIAL COMMISSION'S CONVOY NEAR BAGHDAD
Iraqi Authorities to Investigate Incident, Take Appropriate Legal Action
The following has been received from the Special Commission set up under
Security Council resolution 687 (1991) in connection with the disposal of
Iraq's weapons of mass destruction:
On Saturday, 8 January, as a convoy of vehicles from the United Nations
Special Commission's Chemical Destruction Group was travelling from Baghdad to
Muthanna to undertake destruction activities, a shot was fired above a United
Nations ambulance by the driver of a vehicle which was overtaking the convoy.
The incident occurred on the outskirts of Baghdad on a three-lane highway
in heavy traffic. The vehicles were in a convoy of eight, with Iraqi escort
vehicles in front and at the rear of the convoy. At around 8:20 a.m., a
Mercedes with two persons inside caught up with the convoy and indicated, by
using its horn, that it wished to overtake the convoy. After overtaking the
rear escort vehicle, it had difficulty overtaking the next vehicle, the United
Nations ambulance. After a short while, it pulled level with the ambulance.
The driver of the Mercedes wound down his window and brandished a pistol at
the occupants of the ambulance and at the Red Crescent and United Nations
symbols on the vehicle. Then a shot was discharged above the ambulance.
The incident occurred just as the convoy was turning off the highway.
The Mercedes continued on the highway. An Iraqi escort vehicle pursued the
Mercedes, without success. However, it did manage to note its license
number. The whole incident between the Mercedes and the ambulance lasted a
matter of seconds only.
No one was injured in the incident and no property damage was sustained.
The personnel on the ground immediately informed the Iraqi counterparts of the
shooting, who had also witnessed it. The Iraqi counterparts apologized for
the incident and undertook to investigate the matter immediately.
The Field Office of the Special Commission in Baghdad had also protested
this assault with senior Iraqi officials. The Commission has been assured by
the Iraqi authorities that the matter will be investigated, appropriate legal
actions taken and efforts made to ensure that it does not recur.
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