- BAGHDAD -- US forces yesterday
tried to stop the media from covering a third day of anti-American protests
by Iraqis outside a hotel housing a US operations base, according to a
reporter at the scene.
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- Up to 300 Iraqis gathered outside the Palestine Hotel
to express rage at what they said was the US failure to restore order after
the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.
-
- For the first time, visibly angered US military officials
sought to distance the media from the protest, moving reporters and cameras
about 30 metres from the barbed-wired entrance to the hotel.
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- "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 marines colonel who 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, signaling the end of the regime.
The Iraqis chanted: "No, no, USA."
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- Tension has been rising in front of the hotel, where
Iraqis protest against a lack of police protection, water, electricity
and other basic services.
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- As the protest grew more vocal, a marines corporal held
an impromptu briefing for a few reporters about progress in bringing Iraq
back to normal.
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- Corporal John Hoellwarth said the US forces planned to
boost joint police patrols, bring more hospitals back into service and
restore power to parts of Baghdad within 72 hours
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