CB: "This has been the
Iraqi people's disconnect from the horror around
them...the only thing that's united the Iraqi
people."
Monday, July 13, 2009
Length: 1:32
LARGE (17.8 MB)
-----
SMALL (1.9 MB)
The former rugby player gives us a glimpse at
football in Iraq -- the first international match
played in Baghdad since before the war began. For a
country that is football-crazy this is a huge
event, and for the people who came out to watch the
home team win the match 4-0 this was a day to enjoy
a glimpse of normality.
CAMPBELL
BROWN: If you have followed our coverage of the war
in Iraq, you've certainly seen CNN's Michael Ware. He
has been the guy on the ground with the troops since
the war began six years ago and he's just about seen
it all until now.
Michael has our "Breakout" story tonight. His report
doesn't come from the battlefield, rather the soccer
field.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL WARE: Welcome to international football,
Baghdad-style. This is Iraq's first home
international since FIFA imposed its ban in 2002 in
the lead-up to the U.S.-led invasion.
Just here -- excuse me, guys, excuse me -- Iraq is
playing its first home game, here against Palestine
in a friendly.
This is an incredible scene. This stadium is
chock-a-block filled to capacity with intense
security as the war continues. But it's this game,
this that has been the Iraqi people's disconnect from
the horror around them.
This is what's -- the only thing that's united the
Iraqi people. When they won the Asian Cup, the
sectarian violence, the entire war paused for just a
moment as the entire country celebrated. Today, we
see it again.
This truly is one of Baghdad's all-too-few grand
days. And it's football that's connected everybody
together.
Michael Ware, CNN, Baghdad.
This
piece also ran on several other shows; no new footage
is included:
AC360 ..... Length 1:13 ----- Large (14.0 MB) -----
Small (1.5 MB)
AAM ..... Length 1:37 ----- Large (18.8 MB) -----
Small (2.0 MB)
TSR ..... Length 1:30 ----- Large (17.4 MB) -----
Small (1.8 MB)