Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
ABC
March 27, 2008
World News With Charles Gibson (ABC), 6:30 PM
CHARLES GIBSON: As our national security correspondent Jonathan Karl reports, what has U.S. officials so worried is that the center of gravity in this fighting may now be shifting to Baghdad.
JONATHAN KARL: Thousands of protestors filled the streets of Baghdad’s Shi’a stronghold Sadr City today. They’re furious about the Iraqi government’s crackdown on Shi’a militias in Basra. Not all the protests were peaceful. Today, the so-called Green Zone was pounded with rocket fire from Sadr City. It was one of those rockets that exploded inside the U.S. embassy compound, killing an embassy employee. As one official told ABC News, “We’re getting hit real hard and we’ve been lucky more haven’t been hurt or killed.”
Embassy employees were put on notice today to wear helmets and body armor. All personnel are advised to remain under hard cover at all times. Several thousand Americans live and work in the Green Zone. It’s often called heavily fortified, but there is little to protect them from the rockets flying over its walls. One rocket damaged five Blackwater Security helicopters.
Prior to this week, there were on average of about ten attacks a day in Baghdad. Military officials tell ABC News so far this week there have been nearly 50 attacks a day.
In a speech today, President Bush expressed no concern about the rising violence, instead praising the Iraqi government for its operations in the south.
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: This offensive builds on the security gains of the surge and demonstrates to the Iraqi people that their government is committed to protecting them.
KARL: The man everybody is now watching is anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. He once again told his followers today that he wants a peaceful political solution, but that could change at any time and if it does, this could spiral out of control.
GIBSON: And Jon, al-Sadr talked about a ceasefire – he’s imposed a ceasefire in recent months. Is there concern at the Pentagon that really all of the security gains may just hinge on whether al-Sadr wants a ceasefire or wants his militia in the streets?
KARL: I think that’s about right, Charlie. Right now, they’re saying if the ceasefire holds and if the Iraqis can show some progress in the south, this spike in violence we’re seeing could just be a blip. But if Sadr’s ceasefire does not hold, all bets are off.
GIBSON: All right. Jonathan Karl, reporting tonight from the Pentagon. Thanks.
March 27, 2008
World News With Charles Gibson (ABC), 6:30 PM
CHARLES GIBSON: As our national security correspondent Jonathan Karl reports, what has U.S. officials so worried is that the center of gravity in this fighting may now be shifting to Baghdad.
JONATHAN KARL: Thousands of protestors filled the streets of Baghdad’s Shi’a stronghold Sadr City today. They’re furious about the Iraqi government’s crackdown on Shi’a militias in Basra. Not all the protests were peaceful. Today, the so-called Green Zone was pounded with rocket fire from Sadr City. It was one of those rockets that exploded inside the U.S. embassy compound, killing an embassy employee. As one official told ABC News, “We’re getting hit real hard and we’ve been lucky more haven’t been hurt or killed.”
Embassy employees were put on notice today to wear helmets and body armor. All personnel are advised to remain under hard cover at all times. Several thousand Americans live and work in the Green Zone. It’s often called heavily fortified, but there is little to protect them from the rockets flying over its walls. One rocket damaged five Blackwater Security helicopters.
Prior to this week, there were on average of about ten attacks a day in Baghdad. Military officials tell ABC News so far this week there have been nearly 50 attacks a day.
In a speech today, President Bush expressed no concern about the rising violence, instead praising the Iraqi government for its operations in the south.
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: This offensive builds on the security gains of the surge and demonstrates to the Iraqi people that their government is committed to protecting them.
KARL: The man everybody is now watching is anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. He once again told his followers today that he wants a peaceful political solution, but that could change at any time and if it does, this could spiral out of control.
GIBSON: And Jon, al-Sadr talked about a ceasefire – he’s imposed a ceasefire in recent months. Is there concern at the Pentagon that really all of the security gains may just hinge on whether al-Sadr wants a ceasefire or wants his militia in the streets?
KARL: I think that’s about right, Charlie. Right now, they’re saying if the ceasefire holds and if the Iraqis can show some progress in the south, this spike in violence we’re seeing could just be a blip. But if Sadr’s ceasefire does not hold, all bets are off.
GIBSON: All right. Jonathan Karl, reporting tonight from the Pentagon. Thanks.