The Hindu : International : Clashes break out in Baghdad

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 30, 2004

International

International

Clashes break out in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, SEPT. 29. The U.S. and Iraqi forces raided suspected insurgent hideouts in the heart of the capital today, sparking clashes along a main Baghdad thoroughfare as violence continued unabated. But the release of two Italian women and five other hostages encouraged relatives of foreigners still being held.

Outside of Baghdad, at least 13 persons were killed in separate drive-by shootings, ambushes and grenade attacks late yesterday and today.

Footage shown

The Arab news network Al-Jazeera today broadcast footage of British engineer Kenneth Bigley pleading to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to work for his release. The authenticity of the tape could not be independently verified.

The footage showed a sobbing Bigley talking from behind bars of what appeared to be a cage-like prison cell. He was dressed in an orange jump suit and kneeling on the floor.

``He doesn't care about me, I'm just one person,'' he was heard saying, refering to Mr. Blair.

The Jazeera announcer said Mr. Bigley accused Mr. Blair of lying and that the Prime Minister was not conducting any negotiations to effect his release. She also quoted Mr. Bigley as saying that the kidnappers did not want to kill him.

Two female Italian aid workers kidnapped in Baghdad three weeks ago were released today along with two Iraqi colleagues, making at least 10 the number of people freed in 24 hours, including employees of Egyptian telecoms giant Orascom.

The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, described it as a ``moment of joy.'' — AP

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