US forces on Tuesday tried to hamper the media from covering a third day of anti-American protests by Iraqis outside a hotel housing a US operations base here, a correspondent from the AFP news agency said.
Some 200-300 Iraqis gathered outside the Palestine Hotel to express their rage at what they said was the US failure to restore order after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime last Wednesday.
For the first time, visibly-angered US military officials sought to distance the media from the protest, moving reporters and cameras about 30 meters from the barbed-wired entrance to the hotel.
”We want you to pull back to the back of the hotel because they (the Iraqis) are only performing because the media are here,” said a marine colonel who wore the name Zarcone but would not give his first name or title.
The crowd later moved to the nearby square where a statue of Saddam was toppled last Wednesday, signalling the end of the regime. As three of the marines’ armored amphibious vehicles passed by, the Iraqis chanted: ”No, no, USA.” Tensions have been rising in front of the hotel, where Iraqis have flocked to protest a lack of police protection, water, electricity and other basic services, and also to seek jobs in the post-Saddam administration.
As the Iraqi protest grew more vocal outside the hotel, a marine corporal held an impromptu briefing for a few reporters on progress in bringing Iraq back to normal.
Corporal John Hoellwarth said the US forces planned to boost joint police patrols, bring more hospitals back into service and have power restored to parts of Baghdad within 72 hours. – Sapa-AFP