- Title: IRAQ: UNITED STATES TAKE EXTRA SECURITY MEASURES ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
- Date: 2nd January 2004
- Summary: (U6) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (DECEMBER 31, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. SLV BRIGADIER GENERAL MARTIN DEMPSEY, COMMANDER of 1ST AIRBORNE DIVISION ENTERING THE CONFERENCE HALL; MV MEDIA 2. SOUNDBITE (English) DEMPSEY, SAYING: "Any time we perceive that the enemy will try to attack us, to take advantage of one of our holidays, one of the important dates in our history, we always provide or take extra vigilance and extra security. We are not saying more than I tell you that the 1st Airborne Division will be doing what is expected to do now." 3. MEDIA 4. SOUNDBITE (English) DEMPSEY, SAYING "We have spent some time here gaining intelligence on what might happen to us over the next forty six to seventy hours and we will act appropriately to ensure that our soldiers and the Iraqi populace are protected against potential attacks against them." 1.02 5. SLV U.S. SOLDIERS MANNING CHECKPOINTS IN BAGHDAD STREET; SLV U.S. VEHICLES PATROL STREET IN BAGHDAD (8 SHOTS) 1.57 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 17th January 2004 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Reuters ID: LVACLYEZDQRZC2S7Q1V30A9FXVF
- Story Text: U.S. take extra security measures in Iraq on New Year's Eve.
Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad, Brigadier
General Martin Dempsey, Commander of the 1st Airborne
Division said the U.S. forces are on high alert to prevent
attacks.
"Any time we perceive that the enemy will try to attack
us, to take advantage of one of our holidays, one of the
important dates in our history, we always provide or take
extra vigilance and extra security. We are not saying more
than I tell you that the 1st Airborne Division will be
doing what is expected to do now," Dempsey told a news
conference.
He added that the U.S. forces are gathering
intelligence on the situation.
"We have spent some time here gaining intelligence on
what might happen to us over the next 46 to 70 hours and we
will act appropriately to ensure that our soldiers and
Iraqi populace are protected against potential attacks
against them", he added.
US-led coalition forces in Iraq were on alert for
attacks timed to coincide with the New Year holiday. They
increased patrols in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, due to
fears that insurgents may choose the New Year period to
launch attacks against coalition forces.
Iraqi police and US soldiers said they reinforced
security in the capital in anticipation of more insurgent
attacks over the holiday after a deadly roadside bombing of
a US convoy.
Police have taken strict security measures with the
approach of the New Year and have put in place plans to
confront possible terrorist attacks against Iraqis and
foreigners. Police are going to step up patrols, set up
checkpoints and intensify operations across the city.
In the past four days two U.S. soldiers have been killed
in separate roadside bomb blasts, raising to 327 the number
of U.S. troops killed in action since the war was launched
in March.
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