WORLD NEWS

April 4, 2003

U.S. Troops Take Control of Iraqi Airport

American forces moving into Baghdad have taken over its international airport

U.S. and British troops reported important progress in the war in Iraq Friday. As troops moved closer to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad Thursday, they took control of the city's international airport. U.S. troops renamed the airport Baghdad International Airport. It was called Saddam International Airport, named after the Iraqi leader.

U.S. Brigadier General Vincent Brooks told reporters that the capture of the airport prevents Iraqi leaders from leaving the country. He said it also allows U.S. and British forces to use the airport during the war. Shortly after U.S. troops took control of the airport, a tape of what appeared to be Iraqi President Saddam Hussein rallying his army aired on Iraqi television.

Hussein on Television?

In his television address, Hussein said only a small number of U.S. and British forces had gotten by Iraqi forces around Baghdad. U.S. Marines, on the other hand, said about 2,500 members of Iraq's Republican Guard, the country's strongest army, surrendered on Friday.

Some intelligence experts are looking closely at a tape of the television appearance to see if it was the Iraqi leader himself or someone who looks just like him. Later, Iraqi television also showed scenes of a man said to be Hussein walking among cheering Iraqis.

With U.S. troops moving in and much of Baghdad without electricity for more than 24 hours, thousands of Iraqis fled, or ran away, to the north to avoid advancing troops and fighting. President Bush, meanwhile, made plans to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair next Monday and Tuesday in Northern Ireland to discuss war plans. The leaders also plan to talk about rebuilding Iraq once the war is over.

Aid For Iraqis On the Way

In another important development on Friday, the United Nations delivered its first major shipment of food aid. A total of 23 trucks carrying 575 tons of wheat flour traveled into Iraq from the Turkish border, according to Reuters news agency. At the same time, UNICEF, a U.N. agency, sent 10 trucks from neighboring Kuwait carrying water and medical supplies to towns in southern Iraq.

Back in the U.S., Congress on Thursday voted to give President Bush about $ 80 billion to help pay for the war in Iraq. Lawmakers said the money will also pay for U.S. efforts to stop terrorism.

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