U.S. military says did not attack Russian convoy

Reuters | 4/06/03

[kattracks]

U.S. military says did not attack Russian convoy

AS SAYLIYAH CAMP, Qatar, April 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Sunday initial findings indicated U.S.-led forces were not responsible for an attack on a Russian diplomatic convoy in Iraq in which several people were wounded.

It said in a statement from U.S. war headquarters in Qatar that the convoy was hit in Iraqi-held territory and no U.S. or British forces had been operating there at the time.

"Initial field reports reveal that no coalition forces were operating in the area of the incident," U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

"Based on the reported location, the incident is believed to have taken place in territory controlled by the Iraqi regime. The inquiry into this incident continues and more details will be made available as soon as possible."

04/06/03 09:04 ET

[MEG33]

Tis a pity.

[meyer]

Ironically, the Russians could have called and we'd have provided an armed escort or airlift to remove them from the embassy. We do that kind of thing. Of course, we would not help them smuggle any "contraban" out of there.

[tomahawk]

Russian intelligence has dropped precipitously the past decade. Many of the smart ones left the Motherland for the West. What's left behind isn't that bright.

[hapy]

I was kind of hopen we did!

Who cares if we did

Too bad, any chance we can add some liberals to that convoy?

[kattracks]

They were hit, but they're still moving. Looks like they want to get out of there ASAP.

[steveegg]

Russian intelligence has dropped precipitously the past decade. Many of the smart ones left the Motherland for the West. What's left behind isn't that bright.

You mean like their dictat...er...president?

[MinuteGal]

The Russian embassy bureaucrats could of and should of gotten outta Dodge when everyone else did. But they had to stay and play kissy-face with the Saddam regime till the eleventh hour.

Too bad.

Leni

[UCFRoadWarrior]

I bet they had flashbacks of Afghanistan when they got hit

[buffyt]

I read that the Ruskies are sending ten war ships to waters around Iraq. I hope they aren't coming to attack us!

[meyer]

They were hit, but they're still moving. Looks like they want to get out of there ASAP.

I'm suspecting that the Iraqis attacked the convoy and that Baghdad Bob will report that the coalition forces did it later today. Propaganda.

[xrp]

10 warships vs 1/4 or more of the US Navy? There are 4-6 carriers alone in the theater of operations currently. This Navy is battle hardened after the Persian Gulf War and the War of Iraqi Liberation. The Russian Navy hasn't faced a conflict in 60 years.

They'd just be donating artificial coral reefs.

[Green]

Major Garrett (FN) just said that the key word in the Pentagon denial is "reveal" being used in their determination rather than saying "indicate". He said that for them to say their investigation "Reveals" the coalition had nothing to do with this attack on the convoy was pretty strong suggesting that they know it wasn't the coalition.

[longjack]

I was looking at a report from the German dpa. They say an Interfax reporter traveling with the convoy said the convey took fire from hand guns at the edge of the city. The attackers were described as 'unknowns'.

Putin sent protests to both Washington and Iraq.

The article used the word "Handfeuerwaffen". That is definitely hand gun.

Probably not our guys.

longjack

[Green]

I guess the Iraqi Regime didn't get the notice sent around to its troops and thugs that the Russian convoy was headed their way.

[mtbopfuyn]

Tisk, tisk. Another incident of friendly fire.

[PatrioticAmerican]

oops.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

A feller could get hurt drivin' around Iraq.

[mewzilla]

Nice friends ya got there, Pootie-Poot.

[Bottom_Gun]

They'd just be donating artificial coral reefs.

you know from my days in fast boats, well always wondered if the advertised amounts of MK 48 Torpedos would take out soviet ships. Maybe the boats there will get a chance to find out *L*