WAR IN IRAQ {PAULA ZAHN SEGMENT: TOPPLING OF HUSSEIN STATUE IN FIRDOS SQUARE, BAGHDAD} (TV)

Summary

This tape includes CNN's live and continuous coverage of the iconoclastic toppling of the Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad's Firdos Square on April 9, 2003. Anchored by Paula Zahn, the tape begins at 10:00 AM EST (6:00 PM Baghdad) with footage showing Iraqis using ropes and hammers to try to bring down the Hussein statue. For most of this tape, Time Magazine's Simon Robinson reports via telephone from the Square on the events as they unfold in front of him -- gunshots being fired, a Marine briefly placing an American flag over the Hussein's statue's head and then a pre-Gulf War Iraqi flag, and the ultimate bringing down of the statue by a Marine crane. Commentators include CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour and Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr. Ken Pollack reports on how this event may effect the fall of the Hussein regime. Robinson returns to detail how the Iraqis in the street are praising America and President George W. Bush. Next, Martin Savidge reports via videophone from Baghdad University where a recent firefight -- which he describes as sounding like "World War III" -- erupted. Finally, the tape shows Iraqis dragging the statue's head through the streets before the tape abruptly ends.

Cataloging of this program was made possible by Verizon Foundation, 2004.

Details

• NETWORK: CNN
• DATE: April 9, 2003 10:00 AM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:00:47
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:80867
• GENRE: News
• SUBJECT HEADING: Operation Iraqi Freedom; She Made It Collection (Paula Zahn); War on Terrorism, 2001-
• SERIES RUN: CNN - TV, 2003
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Paula Zahn … Host
• Christiane Amanpour … Reporter
• Ken Pollack … Reporter
• Simon Robinson … Reporter
• Martin Savidge … Reporter
• Barbara Starr … Reporter
• George W. Bush
• Saddam Hussein