AP: Shiites Demand U.S. Troops Leave Baghdad

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=535&ncid=535&e=5&u=/ap/20030814/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_1563

Shiites Demand U.S. Troops Leave Baghdad

By TAREK AL-ISSAWI, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A Shiite Muslim group demanded Thursday that U.S. troops withdraw from a Baghdad neighborhood within 24 hours, a day after American forces fired on thousands of protesters in the Shiite enclave and killed at least one person.


A statement distributed in Sadr City said American forces "deeply regret" what happened and described it as a mistake. Later, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of coalition forces in Iraq (news - web sites), said troops try to keep Iraqi culture in mind but must remain aggressive.

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Amateur video obtained by Associated Press Television News showed a Black Hawk helicopter hovering a few feet from the top of the telecommunications tower and apparently trying to tear down the banner. Later, U.S. Humvees drove by and the crowd threw stones at them. Heavy gunfire could be heard and demonstrators were seen diving to the ground

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Al-Khaz'ali said in a statement the group was giving U.S. forces a one-day ultimatum to meet the demands, "otherwise we are not responsible for whatever reactions the U.S. soldiers might face if they entered the city."