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

[reformedliberal]

Yep.

They have warships; we have battle groups. Didn't they have to ask us for help to pay their foreign port fees a few years back? And the French single carrier travels w/tugs.

Before the war began, there were rumors that the French were planning to parachute into the center of Baghdad wearing blue UN helmets. Yesterday, IIRC, the French foreign minister was aghast that we had rolled into Baghdad because is was *so dangerous*.

They talk alot and don't seem capable of doing much else.
They want us to be humiliated because they experience humiliation on a daily basis.

[longjack]

Here's the complete German Press Agency (dpa) report:

Russian diplomats in Baghdad shot at and injured

Moscow (dpa) -- While leaving Baghdad the convoy of cars of the Russian ambassador came under fire in Iraq on Sunday. Several people were injured. Unknown persons had shot at the group on the edge of the Iraqi capital with handguns, an accompanying journalist of the agency interfax reported. President Wladimir Putin in Moscow ordered any of his compatriots to be removed from Iraq as quickly as possible. A sharp letter of protest went out to the USA as well as Iraq from Moscow.

A report by the agency Itar-Tass said the convoy had later continued the journey to the Syrian border to after the incident. The departure of the Russian convoy had been known to the U.S. troops.

The Russian ambassador Wladimir Titorenko had left the embassy in Baghdad with accompaniment on Sunday morning. In two attacks, eight and, 15 kilometers, respectively, from the city limits several persons from the group had been injured in each attack, the eyewitness said.

After the second attack the perpetrators fled in 4-wheel drive vehicles. They had taken the injured to hospitals. "Luckily", nobody died, the observer said. In all, 25 Russian citizens, most of them journalists, were in the convoy.

Everything must be done for the injured, demanded Putin in his first reaction. The ambassadors of the USA and Iraq were one sent for by the State Department in Moscow. "Up to now, we don't know who is behind the attack", said U.S. ambassador Alexander Vershbow when leaving the State Department. The Russian embassy was still occupied with twelve public employees, according to official information.

erschienen am 06.04.2003 um 14:58 Uhr

© WELT.de

"Die Welt" News Ticker..14:58..Russische Diplomaten in Bagdad beschossen und verletzt

Translated by longjack

[aristeides]

From www.welt.de:

Russische Diplomaten beim Verlassen Bagdads beschossen Moskau (dpa) - Beim Verlassen der umkämpften irakischen Hauptstadt Bagdad ist die Autokolonne des russischen Botschafters unter Beschuss geraten. Dabei wurden mindestens vier bis fünf Menschen verletzt. Unbekannte schossen am Stadtrand mit Handfeuerwaffen auf die Autos, wie ein Augenzeuge der Agentur Interfax berichtete. Die Verletzten wurden in ein Krankenhaus westlich von Bagdad gebracht. An die USA sowie den Irak erging eine scharfe Protestnote aus Moskau. Die US- Streitkräfte bestritten eine Beteiligung.

[Armedanddangerous]

ONE thing seems plain in regards to this report...

If United States Marines or the U.S. Army had attacked, these people would be one thing..

Dead..

[longjack]

Yes. Hand guns.

"Die Welt" pulled the longer report from the dpa ticker, but the newer, shorter one still mentions 'Handfeuerwaffen'. The newer report leaves out the two attacks, and fleeing in gelaendewagen, or 4x4's.

I wionder if Iraqi 4x4's are similiar to ours?

longjack

[SkyPilot]

Our aircraft are on the look out for escaping Baath Party thugs, corrupt hangers on, and Saddam and his family---trying to escape.

CENTCOM has already announced they had no aircraft in that sector...but I would advise the Russians and whoever else that riding around the countryside in Iraq (convoy style nonetheless) is suicide.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Dog gone shame. Too bad there were no Red Chinese in this 'convoy.'

[Black Bart]

Look at this from the Iraqis' point of view. Given a choice would you rather shoot it out with an American armored column or a carpool of Russian journalists?

[RusIvan]

Of cause not:)).. Who else drive Hamvees? Maybe Iraqis captures bunch of them?

BTW I think it was CIA.

[enemy9oclock]

Where'd you see anything about Humvees, RusIvan? I only ask because I've read several different reports on this attack, and haven't seen any mention of Humvees.

[WaterDragon]

Does this mean the Iraqis actually got some planes into the air?

[Kevin Curry]

BTW I think it was CIA.

Coalition forces including the CIA have nothing to gain by targeting a Russian convoy.

Only Saddam has anything to gain by doing something like this and making it appear to be a coalition attack.

[RusIvan]

Russia press say that attackers was on Hamvees.

And the purpose of attack is not allow to carry out of Iraq some samples of destroyed american equipments.

At least that was said.

[RusIvan]

Coalition forces including the CIA have nothing to gain by targeting a Russian convoy. ==

Embassy convoy may carry a lot of secret documents. It is clearly the gain for intellegence agency.

But anyway it doesn't work. Embassy convoy already in Syria.

Bad that the practice to attack embassies become the usual.

[Kevin Curry]

Russia press say that attackers was on Hamvees.

But if the CIA were trying to disguise the raid, why would it use American-made HUMVEES?

[RusIvan]

But if the CIA were trying to disguise the raid, why would it use American-made HUMVEES? +++

Embassy convoy emerged suddenly. They are not fools too. So they didn't tip CIA. Or maybe they tiped up them but on different time or route.
So CIA might pick up any forces available.

Except of CIA no other party would gain from attack on embassy convoy.

Just my 2 cents.

[Kevin Curry]

Don't take any of this personally. It is good that you have lurked at FR and that you like the forum. But from time-to-time you must be prepared to receive strong words and criticism from those of us who are suspicious of the intentions of the Russian government and press.

[RockyMtnMan]

I think if we had hit the convoy no one would have survived. Which leaves me to beleive it was the Iraqis.

[RusIvan]

They say: It is name of the game:).

[RusIvan]

I think if we had hit the convoy no one would have survived. +++

Russian spy sattelite watched over them. Any aviation hit would be recorded.
So what is left the ground attack.
But there was the defence unit of russian speznaz with embassy convoy. Those guys always with PRG7s, Igla-2s, machine guns. Russian embassy cars are armored.
So it is not easy to take on.
Hambees are not very suitable here. One have to have armor.
Anyway it still wouldn't be pass without trace.

SO attackers retired after few shots.
BTW Condy Rice in Moscow today. Talks with Putin. Something goes on guys.