[PEN-L:36159] The 72 years old heroic farmer

[Sabri Oncu <soncu@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Iraq parades helicopter crew
Thu Mar 27 2003, ITV

Iraqi television has paraded two captured pilots of a US Apache
helicopter that was downed after attacking an elite Republican
Guard division southwest of Baghdad.

The Pentagon have identified the men but their names will not be
given until it is sure their families have been informed.

Both men appeared nervous and disheveled as their credit cards
and other possessions were paraded in front of the cameras.

Cheering Iraqis were shown waving their guns as they examined the
helicopter.

The television report said the helicopter was shot down by a
farmer, a claim the US military denied without saying what caused
it to come down in a field.

"The heroic farmer Ali Obeid-Mingash...shot down the Apache with
his rifle. These are the two American pilots who were sent by the
little Bush to the inferno of death," the report said, referring
to US President Bush.

The pilots' appearance came just a day after Iraq paraded on
television five US soldiers believed to have been captured after
an ambush near the southeastern town of Nassiriya.

The Apache shown on Iraqi television appeared to be in good
condition and was said to have come down near the city of
Kerbala, 70 miles from the capital.

US military officials said the helicopter had taken part in
strikes against the Republican Guard's Medina Division, which is
dug in and defending Baghdad's southern flanks.

http://www.itv.com/news/453830.html