Iraq council member dies of wounds from attack -US

Reuters | 9/25/03

[kattracks]

BAGHDAD, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Akila al-Hashemi, a member of Iraq's U.S.-appointed Governing Council, has died from wounds sustained in a gun attack on Saturday, the head of the country's U.S.-led administration said on Thursday.

"On behalf of the Coalition Provisional Authority and all its members, I offer condolences to her family, her colleagues on the Governing Council and the people of Iraq," Paul Bremer said in a written statement.

Gunmen fired on a car carrying Hashemi, a career diplomat from a prominent Shi'ite Muslim family, near her home in a Baghdad suburb on Saturday morning. She sustained wounds to the abdomen. Three people travelling with her were also wounded.

After initial treatment in a Baghdad hospital, she was transferred to a U.S. military hospital.

Guerrillas opposed to the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq have targeted Iraqis cooperating with Bremer's administration as well as U.S. and British soldiers and other Westerners.

"With her steadfast commitment to a free, democratic and peaceful Iraq, Dr al-Hashemi served as an inspiration to her nation," Bremer said.

"Today we renew our commitment to this vision as we pay tribute to Hashemi's personal courage and dedication in her work on behalf of the Iraqi people," he added.

09/25/03 04:39 ET

[Imal]

Damn. A good woman murdered by evil cowards.

May God smile upon her soul, and curse those who murdered her. May her family have God's peace and blessings upon them.

Iraq, and all of us, are poorer for her loss.

[fly_so_free]

How awful. Prayers for her family.

Maybe the people in the new Iraqi Govt. should be issued bullet proof vests? I would imagine the evil nut-cases are going to continue trying to take them out.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

May God bless her loved ones. This is tragic. There must be justice for her.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

They have created a new martyr for freedom, I think. When someone dies while bravely standing up for a noble cause, it usually encourages others to act bravely, not to quit.

The bad guys chose unwisely. Again.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Wisdom bump.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[dennisw]

She was assassinated. Assassinations, betrayal, deception, stealth, deceit are the way Islam likes to make war. Mad Mo' set the standard as he ordered 3 assassinations in so called "holy" Koran

[Sacajaweau]

btt

[nuconvert]

Oh. That's too bad. I saw last night that she was declining. Didn't sound as if they'd be able to save her.
Just terrible.



Thanks for the ping

[nuconvert]

And you think she was what religion?

[Rutles4Ever]

Ted Kennedy and Howard Dean have not indicated whether they will come to Iraq as observers of this peace-loving nation wrongly invaded by this "fraud" of a war. They could learn a thing or two about real courage.

[Argus]

I'm angry that a true Muslim friend of this country is murdered while our worst enemies like the terrorist Arafat are coddled, protected and allowed to walk free.

[mickie]

Oh, you are so right!
This poor woman attacked and shot down in the most horrible way, never had a chance!
She was brave to fight for her Country, and because of that, she was murdered!

Now I am angry.....and will pray that her killers will be caught and brought to justice.

RIP Aquila.