Confusion Exists in An Najaf: Iraq as to Whether the Siege of the Shrine is Over

Transcript

Event Date(s): 08/20/2004 | Event Location(s): An Najaf, Iraq; Baghdad, Iraq; | Description: In Iraq, one man who is causing a lot of trouble for the US and the coalition government. What's happening right now in Iraq would be easy to dismiss if it wasn't so vitally important to the future there. EXT DAY AN NAJAF, IRAQ MS: Rear shot of two US soldiers firing weapons over wall. MS: Iraqi man firing weapon. WS: Smoke rising. MS: Iraqi militants waving weapons in air. WS: Men outside the Imam Ali Shrine mosque sweeping. WS: Exterior of shrine. INT AN NAJAF MS: Islamic cleric Moqtada al-Sadr with supporters. EXT DAY MS: Convoy of US humvees approaching. MS: Tank approaching. MS: US soldiers on street. WS: Exterior of shrine. MS: Unmanned machine guns. GFX: Insert still of Washington Post reporter Karl Vick and insert map of Iraq. VO: Via telephone Vick says, "It seems to be, from a military point of view, a more weakened guerrilla force that's there now and perhaps in some disarray." EXT NIGHT BAGHDAD, IRAQ MS: Mendenhall reports on-camera. INT BAGHDAD WS: Overhead shots of Iraqi government representatives shouting and arguing during meeting. WS: Representatives on stage. MS: In interview women's rights activist Raja al-Khuzai (ph) says, "This is something new. We never had it this, you know? This is very important to us." MS: Khuzai speaking to reporters. GFX: Insert still of President George W. Bush standing with Khuzai and shaking hands. BRIEF CUTS: Iraqi representatives talking to one another. Iraqi governing council members seated at tables. EXT DAY AN NAJAF MS: Khuzai and other peace delegation members walking outdoors. INT AN NAJAF MS: Khuzai and others during peace negotiation meetings. INT BAGHDAD MS: Khuzai says, "We hope and we pray that everything will settle and we will live a normal, peaceful life." BRIEF CUTS: Militants firing weapons. INT BAGHDAD WS: Representatives on stage during Iraqi governing meeting. EXT DAY WS: Obscured shot of domed building. VO: Mendenhall signs off from Baghdad.