NR: "The attacks are the
latest in a long-running series that have targeted
Iraq's Christian community."
Monday, July 13, 2009
Length: 1:43
LARGE (20.0 MB)
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SMALL (2.1 MB)
A replay of the report used on International's
World
News, but with different graphics.
HEIDI
COLLINS: A United States ambassador narrowly escapes
a bomb attack in Iraq. That blast coming just two
weeks after U.S. soldiers pulled out of major cities.
CNN's Michael Ware explains how the increasing
violence could include a new strategy by insurgents
to ignite religious conflicts.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL WARE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: In
Iraq, a road side explosive device detonated near the
convoy of recently arrived U.S. ambassador
Christopher Hill. U.S. Embassy officials confirm that
no embassy personnel were hurt in the attack.
However, an investigation is now underway.
The region of southern Iraq where the incident
occurred has traditionally been an area controlled by
Iranian-backed militias. The attack came on a day
when five Christian churches in the capital Baghdad
were also hit in separate bombings. Within a period
of three hours on Sunday evening in the capital, the
churches were struck by explosive devices which
killed four people and wounded 32. They came
following a late night explosion at an empty church
the evening before.
The attacks are the latest in a long-running series
that have targeted Iraq's Christian community. Whilst
no one has exact figures, it's believed that most of
Iraq's million strong Christian community has fled
the country since the American-led invasion in 2003.
However, one of the witnesses to the most recent
series of attacks on the churches said that if they
continue, there will surely be no Christians left in
Iraq.
Michael Ware, CNN, Baghdad.