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Russian diplomats run for Syria
Edited for length:Russian diplomats injured as they left Baghdad on Sunday have resumed their journey to Syria, leaving two people behind at a hospital in the city of Falluja. A medically equipped Russian aircraft is waiting in Syria to fly the diplomats back to Moscow on Monday night. But Russian news agencies say US military commanders are "hindering" the progress of the convoy, by altering its route and refusing to provide safety guarantees. Tough US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice was expected to meet President Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss the shooting incident. She emerged from an hour-long meeting with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, saying nothing except that they had had a good conversation. "So Igor, how'd your Final Four picks do?" The convoy of diplomatic cars with 23 passengers was caught in crossfire as it drove out of the city on Sunday, flying the Russian flag. Russian television journalist Alexander Minakov, who was with them, said they were passing Iraqi positions on the edge of the city when they came under heavy fire. He said the Iraqis were shelled by coalition forces and returned fire. Russian media are reporting that two bullets from the stomach of one victim came from an M-16 semi-automatic assault rifle, used by US marines. Hey, Ivan, AK-74 uses a round pretty close to the same caliber. US Central Command in Qatar said "initial reports" indicated there were no US or British troops nearby. But in Washington, General Peter Pace, deputy head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Pentagon was investigating. "There was no reporting by any ground unit of the coalition of any kind of contact" with the motorcade, he said. "We would have used a .50 on limo's, so wasn't us." Russia's Ambassador to Iraq, Vladimir Titorenko, is reported to have escaped with minor scratches after a bullet hit the windscreen of his vehicle. According to the Itar-Tass news agency 12 embassy staff are remaining in Baghdad. Right now they are thinking they are lucky that they stayed. Posted by: Steve 2003-04-07 |
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