IRAQ: CEREMONY IN BABYLON BY THE U.S.MARINES HANDING OVER CONTROL OF THE SOUTH-CENTRAL ZONE OF IRAQ TO POLISH FORCES.

Record ID: 647507

  • Title: IRAQ: CEREMONY IN BABYLON BY THE U.S.MARINES HANDING OVER CONTROL OF THE SOUTH-CENTRAL ZONE OF IRAQ TO POLISH FORCES.
  • Date: 3rd September 2003
  • Summary: (U3) BABYLON, SOUTH OF BAGHDAD, IRAQ (SEPTEMBER 3, 2003)(REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) 1. MV: OF BAND PLAYING. (2 SHOTS) 0.09 2. WS/MV: SOLDIERS SITTING WATCHING BAND. (2 SHOTS) 0.18 3. HAS/WS/SCU: PEOPLE ARRIVING FOR CEREMONY. (2 SHOTS) 0.29 4. MV: DIGNITARIES LINED UP ON PLATFORM. 0.33 5. VARIOUS: HANDOVER CEREMONY. (3 SHOTS) 0.53 6. WS: UNITED STATES FLAG BEING TAKEN DOWN. 1.06 7. MV: SOUNDBITE (English) LIEUTENANT-GENERAL RICARDO SANCHEZ COMMANDER OF COALITION TROOPS IN IRAQ ADDRESSING THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CEREMONY SAYING: "The environment we have worked so hard to establish you will now hand off to Multi-National Division Central South. You have definitely set the conditions for them to succeed in whatever endeavours and challenges may lie ahead for them. The Multi-National Division Central South, led by Polish Major General Andrezej Tyszkeiwicz is ready to assume its role. I have absolute faith and confidence in the 21 nations that will assume their responsibilities today." 1.42 8. HAS/WS: AUDIENCE APPLAUDING. 1.44 9. MV: SOUNDBITE (English) POLISH MAJOR GENERAL ANDREZEJ TYSZKEIWICZ SAYING: "As a result of the events of September 11, we have become soldiers in the war on terrorism. Our countries decided to join the effort to ensure basic human values and solidarity in the struggle for the right to live without fear and hunger. We generals, officers and soldiers of the Multi-National Division Central South are honoured that we are taking over the responsibility for five Iraqi provinces." 2.22 10. HAS/WS: CEREMONY. 2.25 11. MV: POLISH MAJOR GENERAL ANDREZEJ TYSZKEIWICZ AND LTG RICARDO SANCHEZ COMMANDER OF COALITION TROOPS IN IRAQ PARTICIPATING IN HANDOVER CEREMONY AND SHAKES HANDS. 2.33 12. HAS/WS: PEOPLE WATCHING CEREMONY. 2.36 13. MV: SOUNDBITE (Polish) POLISH DEFENCE MINISTER JERZY SZMADZINSKI SAYING THAT POLAND WILL HELP WITH THE REBUILDING OF IRAQ AND ITS INFRASTRUCTURE. 2.49 14. HAS/WS: PEOPLE WATCHING SZMADZINSKI SPEAKING. 2.57 15. SCU: SOUNDBITE (English) SANCHEZ SAYING: "I can't give the number, I can get you the numbers, we will retain a small number of them, and then we will reassess the situation in about two weeks and make some decisions based on the conditions that exist here." 3.10 16. HAS/SCU: : PEOPLE LEAVING CEREMONY. 3.16 17. CU/TILT UP: FEMALE POLISH SOLDIER. 3.21 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 18th September 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BABYLON, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVAF10RKJAQ0T34MAIS9L41BPEAA
  • Story Text: U.S. Marines have handed over control of a patch of
    central Iraq to a Polish-led multinational force


    A Polish-led force took over a chunk of central Iraq
    from U.S. Marines on Wednesday (September 3) as Washington
    sought to relieve the burden on its troops by widening
    international participation in Iraq's security.

    The Marines, in charge of the area for several months,
    handed over control of a South-Central zone of Iraq to the
    Polish-led multinational force.

    "I have absolute faith and confidence in the 21 nations
    that will assume their responsibilities today,"
    Lieutenant-General Ricardo Sanchez, commander of U.S.

    troops in Iraq, told a ceremony in an open air amphitheatre
    in ancient Babylon.

    The U.S. marines will stay in the holy city of Najaf,
    part of the zone and scene of a massive car bomb on Friday,
    for at least two more weeks.

    Spanish and central American contingents were due to
    provide most of the troops in Najaf, but they are not yet
    fully equipped, officials said.




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