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Thursday March 27, 2003; 10:13 p.m. EST
Rangel Slams U.S. Troops as Child Killers

Congressman Charlie Rangel, D-NY, is accusing U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq of killing civilian women and children - in a series of allegations that includes the charge that President Bush is not qualified to be Commander-in-Chief.

"I just don't believe that you bomb women and children in order to enforce [the U.N. resolution on Iraq]," the Harlem Democrat told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" Thursday night.

When challenged on his claim that U.S. forces were killing Iraqi children, Rangel said sarcastically, "You're right. They're shooting themselves. They just don't know they're being liberated."

After accusing American GI's of what amounts to the commission of war crimes, Rangel then slammed President Bush as unqualified to lead the U.S. into war.

"With all due respect to the president, I don't think he has the experience for me to be listening to him on how the war's going or what we should be doing," the left-wing Democrat and Hillary Clinton ally complained. "It would be a tremendous stretch to say that I have an appreciation for the president's knowledge of international politics."