GEORGE W BUSH PRESS CONFERENCE

\n --SUPERS--\n1:03-1:07\nSam Kiley\nKabul, Afghanistan\n\n1:32-1:42\nNajibullah Hekmat\nSurgeon\n\n --LEAD IN--\nTHIS YEAR, IN AFGHANISTAN'S SEEMINGLY ENDLESS WAR, CIVILIANS ARE DYING IN RECORD NUMBERS. \nAND IT'S ONLY SEPTEMBER.\nDOZENS OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE INJURED EACH DAY -- FROM SUICIDE ATTACKS, BOMBS AND GUNFIRE.\nSAM KILEY REPORTS FROM A HOSPITAL IN KABUL THAT'S DESPERATELY TRYING TO STAUNCH THE BLEEDING.\n\n --REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS-- \nA TEENAGE BOY RETURNS FOR YET ANOTHER ROUND OF SURGERY - HIS ARM WAS TORN OFF BY A BOMB.\nHE'LL BE BACK FOR MORE OPERATIONS BEFORE RETURNING TO A HOME SO INSECURE WE CANNOT USE HIS NAME.\nHIS IS A RELATIVELY MINOR CASE FOR A HOSPITAL THAT ONLY TREATS WAR WOUNDED IN A CONFLICT THAT'S BLOODIER BY THE DAY.\nAFTER 17 YEARS OF WAR THE NUMBER OF CIVILIAN DEATHS THIS YEAR HIT THE HIGHEST POINT SINCE RECORDS BEGAN.\nACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS 1,692 CIVILIANS HAD BEEN KILLED BY THE END OF JUNE.\nRUN BY THE ITALIAN CHARITY "EMERGENCY" THIS HOSPITAL TREATS MORE THAN 50 NEW VICTIMS A DAY.\nEACH INJURY LOGGED. SHRAPNEL, MINE, SHRAPNEL, BULLET, BULLET, BULLET, SHRAPNEL, SHOTGUN, BULLET, SHRAPNEL, BULLET, BULLET, BULLET, BULLET. ON THIS WARD EVERY PATIENT IS A CHILD. \n Sam Kiley: "This young boy was injured in Ghazni, now that is a town to the south of Kabul. The main strategic town on the highway south. It was almost overrun by the Taliban a couple of weeks ago and more than 100 people were killed. There was mayhem and he spent 20 hours with his bowels hanging out of his stomach before he was able to get medical help - a child." \nHERE THE DOCTORS LIVE IN FEAR.\n Dr Najibullah Hekmat, Surgeon: "Every day every day the situation is getting worse, the situation is getting worse and the fighting is increasing honesty me I don't have any clear future."\nTHE U-S WILL SPEND $45 BILLION HERE THIS YEAR MOST OF IT ON TRAINING AFGHAN FORCES TO TAKE OVER \nBUT POOR MORALE, DRUG ABUSE AND RELENTLESS COMBAT HAS DRIVEN AFGHAN DESERTIONS AND DEATHS SO HIGH THE NUMBERS ARE NOW SECRET. ONE FRONTLINE GOVERNMENT BRIGADE IS DOWN BY 30 PER CENT OF ITS FIGHTERS, NATO SOURCES SAY. \nNIAZ HAS LOST THREE SONS, AND THREE GRANDSONS, ALL IN GOVERNMENT FORCES - FOUR OTHERS ARE STILL ALIVE BUT HAVE BEEN WOUNDED FIGHTING INSURGENTS.\nSOME OF MY CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN WERE KILLED ON THE FRONT LINE AND SOME OF THEM NEAR OUR VILLAGE - THEY WERE BEHEADED SHE SAYS BY ISIS. \nNOW SHE LOOKS AFTER 32 CHILDREN WHO HAVE SO FAR SURVIVED WHILE SHE TENDS THE GRAVES OF HER DEAD.\nIT'S BEEN A BAD YEAR IN AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR - BUT FOR AFGHANS ANOTHER GENERATION OF TORMENT.\nSAM KILEY C-N-N KABUL.\n -----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----\n\n --KEYWORD TAGS--\nAFGHANISTAN KABUL HOSPITAL CIVILIAN\n\n

JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILED ATF BUREAU RAID ON THE BRANCH DAVIDIAN COMPOUND NEAR WACO, TEXAS ON FEBRUARY 28, 1993. THE COMMITTEE IS ALSO INVESTIGATING THE APRIL 19TH FBI RAID ON THE COMPOUND WHERE 76 CULT MEMBERS DIED.

NAME: MEA FIGHT 4 20090815I TAPE: EF09/0776 IN_TIME: 10:02:32:06 DURATION: 00:03:37:00 SOURCES: AP TELEVISION DATELINE: Various - 14/15 Aug 2009 RESTRICTIONS: SHOTLIST: Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, 15 August 2009 1. Wide of funeral procession 2. Close up of body belonging to Hamas militant killed in fighting, wrapped in Hamas flag carried in funeral procession 3. Various of funeral procession and Hamas supporters 4. Hamas security standing guard at funeral of Jund Ansar Allah members killed in shootout 5. Funeral procession running with body 6. Close up on body in red stretcher 7. Close up on mourner chanting 8. Various of funeral procession ++NIGHT SHOTS++ Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, 15 August 2009 9. Various of mosque, gun battle between Hamas and Islamic militants, occasional flares and flashes seen, AUDIO: Heavy gunfire Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, 14 August 2009 10. Pan to leader of "Jund Ansar Allah" (means: Soldiers of the Companions of God) Abdel-Latif Moussa surrounded by the organisation's militants inside mosque just before fighting erupted Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, 15 August 2009 11. Mosque, gun battle between Hamas and Islamic militants, AUDIO: Heavy gunfire Gaza City, Gaza Strip - August 15 2009 12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Taher Nunu, Hamas government spokesman: "We confirm that he (Abdel-Latif Moussa) blew himself up. Some of our security services tried to talk to him and when one of the officers approached him to appeal for his surrender, he blew himself up and the people around him." Rafah, southern Gaza strip, 15 August 2009 13. Wide of Hamas security men in streets of Rafah 14. Hamas armed men getting off pick up truck in street 15. Mid Hamas interior minister, Fathi Hamad sitting in mosque where funerals of Hamas militants killed in gun battle were starting (++this is not the mosque where the gun battle took place++) 16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fathi Hamad, Hamas Interior Minister: "This operation came after a lot of security research and evidence gathering, which proved that this group had been working illegally and were using weapons against the people, against the government, and had been killing a lot in different areas, so we were forced to stop it." 17. Wide of Hamad inside the mosque Ramallah, West Bank, 15 August 2009 18. SOUNDBITE (English) Saeb Erekat, Palestinian negotiator: "Its very alarming and very dangerous what is taking place in Gaza, these clashes and these fights, more than 22 dead. Gaza is going down the drain in chaos and lawlessness." Gaza City, Gaza Strip, 15 August 2009 19. Wide of Hamas policemen at checkpoint in Gaza city 20. Hamas security checking cars STORYLINE: Hamas crushed an al-Qaida-inspired group in an hours-long standoff that came to a fiery end when a large explosion killed the radical Muslim group's leader inside his Gaza home on Saturday. The fighting was sparked by a rebellious sermon by the group's leader, and his dramatic death put an end to the greatest internal challenge to Hamas' rule since it took control of Gaza two years ago. In all, the fighting claimed 24 lives - the highest death toll in the territory since the Israel-Hamas war earlier this year. Funeral processions were carried out for both the sides on the streets of Rafah later on Saturday, where flag draped bodies were carried by crowds of people. The crackdown targeted Jund Ansar Allah, or the Soldiers of the Companions of God, one of a number of small, shadowy groups that are even more radical than Hamas. The decisive confrontation, in which 95 group members were arrested, solidified Hamas' iron rule in Gaza. The radical groups have sought to expand the Palestinians' battle beyond Israel to include the Western World as well. And in Gaza they have tried to enforce an even stricter version of Islamic law than Hamas and have attacked Internet cafes and wedding parties over behaviour they consider improper. The crackdown highlights Hamas' desire to distance itself from militants espousing al-Qaida's ideology and to appear more moderate to the West, though the United States, Israel and others consider Hamas a "terrorist" organisation. The fighting broke out late on Friday when Hamas security men surrounded a mosque in the southern Gaza town of Rafah on the Egyptian border where about 100 members of Jund Ansar Allah were holed up. Their leader, Abdel-Latif Moussa, provoked Hamas by declaring Gaza an Islamic emirate during a Friday prayer sermon and daring its leaders to invade his mosque. They did, setting off a fierce gunbattle. Flares lit up the sky and the sound of machine gun fire echoed throughout the night. Moussa escaped with some bodyguards to his home where another standoff ensued. Early Saturday, an explosives vest was detonated as Hamas was trying to convince Moussa to surrender, said Taher Nunu, a Hamas government spokesman. Hamas' Interior Minister, Fathi Hamad, told reporters that the "operation came after a lot of security research and evidence gathering, which proved that this group had been working illegally and were using weapons against the people, against the government, and had been killing a lot in different areas, so we were forced to stop it." Doctor Moaiya Hassanain of the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said 24 people were killed, including six Hamas police officers and an 11-year-old girl. At least 150 people were wounded, he said. Hamas confirmed one of its casualties was a high-ranking commander, Abu Jibril Shimali, whom Israel said orchestrated the capture three years ago of Sergeant Gilad Schalit, an Israeli soldier who is still being held by Hamas. Jund Ansar Allah first came to public attention in June after it claimed responsibility for a failed attempt to attack Israel from Gaza on horseback. The group claims inspiration from al-Qaida's ultraconservative brand of Islam, but no direct links have been confirmed. The group has been critical of Hamas for not imposing a more severe form of Islamic law and for maintaining a cease-fire with Israel for the past seven months. Hamas says it does not impose its religious views on others, but only seeks to set a pious example for people to follow. Hamas also maintains that its struggle is against Israel only, while the radical splinter groups call for a global jihad against the entire Western world. Israel has charged that terrorists with links to Osama bin Laden have infiltrated Gaza. Hamas has denied this, while trying to distance itself from the more radical groups. This weekend's violence marked the most serious internal opposition Hamas has faced since it seized control of Gaza and ousted its rivals in the Fatah movement in a five-day civil war in June 2007. The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are together supposed to make up a future Palestinian state, but the rival governments in the two territories - located on opposite sides of Israel - are complicating Palestinian efforts to gain independence. Fatah official Saeb Erekat was quick to comment on the developments, saying "Gaza is going down the drain in chaos and lawlessness." Hamas security blocked all roads to Rafah on Saturday and declared the town a closed military zone.

15:49:25:00 WS UNID people walking around on South Lawn (0:34) / 15:50:00:01 WS Marine helicopter flying in blue skies (0:05) / 15:50:05:17 WS UNIDs walking on lawn (0:35) / 15:50:41:08 WS Marine One flying, lands on South Lawn (2:12) / 15:52:53:17 MS ZO to WS reporters (0:16) / 15:53:10:03 WS ZI to MS White House press secretary Robert Gibbs walks up (partially obstructed) (0:13) / 15:53:23:06 WS reporters (0:05) / 15:54:38:22 WS Obama walks over. ZI to MS as he begins remarks. (NOTE: He is partially obstructed (0:09) / 15:54:56:23 WS reporters (0:10) / 15:55:07:24 VS Obama giving remarks (0:31) / 15:55:39:08 WS Obama walks across lawn (0:25) / 15:56:37:02 WS Obama walks to M1 and boards (0:03) / 15:56:45:02 WS staffers board M1 (0:21) / 15:57:06:07 CU M1. ZO to MS as M1 prepares to take off, takes off, and flies away (3:59) / 00:00:00:00 SOTS ---------------------- OBAMA/SRI LANKA 16:12:52 We have a humanitarian crisis that's taking place in Sri Lanka and I've been increasingly saddened by the desperate news in recent days. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians are trapped between the warring government forces and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka with no means of escape, little access to food, water, shelter and medicine. This has led to wide spread sufferieng and the loss of hundreds, if not thousands of lives. Without urgent action, this humanitarian crisis could turn into a catastrophe. 16:13:31 // OBAMA/STOP FIGHTING 16:13:47 I urge the Tamil Tigers to lay down their arms and let civilians go. Their forced recruitment of civilians and their use of civilians as human shields is deplorable. These tactics will only serve to alienate all those who carry them out. I'm also calling on the Sri Lankan government to take several steps to alliviate this humanitarian crisis. First, the government should stop the indiscriminate shelling that has taken hundreds of innocent lives, including several hospitals. The government should live up to its commitment to not use heavy weapons in the conflict zone. Second, the government should give the United Nations humanitarian teams access to the civilians who are trapped between the warring parties so that they can recieve the immediate assistance necessary to save lives. 16:14:35 // OBAMA/SUPPORT SRI LANKANS 16:14:50 The United States stands ready to work with the international community to support the people of Sri Lanka in this time of suffering. I don't believe that we can delay, now is the time for all of us to work together to avert further humanitarian suffering. 16:15:06 // OBAMA/PENTAGON PHOTOS 16:16:18 This is not a situation in which the Pentagon has concealed or sought to justify inappropriate action, rather it has gone through the appropriate and regular processes and the individuals who are involved ahve been identified and appropriate actions have been taken. It's therefore my belief that the publication of these photos would not add any additional benefit to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals. In fact, the most direct consequence of releasing them I believe would be to further inflame anti-American opinion and to put our troops in greater danger. 16:16:59 (0:00) /

NAME: SKO KIM DAE 3 20090818Ix TAPE: EF09/0785 IN_TIME: 11:08:02:02 DURATION: 00:03:33:09 SOURCES: Amnesty International/AP Television DATELINE: Seoul - 18 August 2009/Recent RESTRICTIONS: Check shotlist for details SHOTLIST: Amnesty International ++ MUST ONSCREEN CREDIT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL++ No re-use/re-sale without clearance FILE: 21 April 2009 1. Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung being pushed in wheelchair FILE: 19 April 2009 2. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Kim Dae-jung, former South Korean President: "After democracy, I was told by the High Court that I was innocent. However, before, I was guilty and if I had been executed then I would have died an innocent man. There are thousands of people who were like me, people who died in the fight for democracy." FILE: 21 April 2009 3. Dae-jung being helped into car 4. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Kim Dae-jung, former South Korean President: "A human should not kill a human. We need to abolish the death penalty in Asia. As in the countries of the European Union, where you can't even join if you still have the death penalty, we should have to do the same thing. If the death penalty were abolished, it would change the atmosphere in Asia and also have a positive knock-on effect in Central and South America, and Africa, and the rest of the world. Accordingly, the issue of the death penalty is one of the most serious issues confronting human beings, and I hope that, if possible, the Asian countries will set an example in sorting out this problem." 5. Dae-jung getting into car FILE: 19 April 2009 6. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Kim Dae-jung, former South Korean President: "It was 1952 when I decided to enter politics. At that time, the communists had decided Pusan should be Korea's temporary capital city and the Syngman Rhee Administration had started to become increasingly dictatorial and imprison many of the opposition party members of the National Assembly. This led me to believe that democracy in my country was at stake. So, I decided to enter politics and fight for democracy." FILE: 21 April 2009 7. Dae-jung's convoy driving away FILE: 19 April, 2009 8. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Kim Dae-jung, former South Korean President: "Once I was sentenced to death, I was scared but decided to accept it because I could die for my people and posterity. Then, the officers of the military regime visited me to ask me to cooperate with them, saying 'If you cooperate with us, we will save you, and give you a good job.' I replied: 'If I do cooperate with you, I can continue to live but I will die in history and in people's minds. But if I do not cooperate with you, I know I will die but will live forever in people's minds and in history.' I said, 'I will choose the latter. So, do not try to persuade me, but just kill me'." AP Television 18 August 2009 9. Lee Hee-ho, wife of deceased former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, entering memorial to her husband inside Yonsei Severance Hospital 10. Close-up of Lee lighting incense stick, tilt up to her face 11. Lee bowing in front of memorial, pan to photo of Kim surrounded by flowers 12. Former South Korean president Kim Young-sam (rival of Kim Dae-jung) placing flower on memorial, zoom in 13. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon carrying flower 14. Close-up of Ban bowing 15. Ban and his wife Yoo Soon-taek walking up to place flowers on memorial, Ban reaching down to take incense stick STORYLINE: Human rights group Amnesty International has released footage from interviews the human rights group conducted with former South Korean President, Kim Dae-jung, back in April this year. Kim Dae-jung died at a Seoul hospital on Tuesday after battling pneumonia for weeks, officials at Severance Hospital said. He was 85. In the interviews, Kim Dae-jung tells the story of his fight for democracy and his long opposition to the death penalty. As a pro-democracy opposition lawmaker, Kim built a reputation as a passionate champion of human rights and democracy who fought against South Korea's military dictatorships. As president from 1998-2003, he was architect of the "Sunshine Policy" of reaching out to wartime rival North Korea as a way to encourage reconciliation. His efforts led to an unprecedented thaw in relations with the North and culminated in a historic North-South summit - the first on the divided peninsula - and a jubilant meeting in Pyongyang with leader Kim Jong Il in 2000. His successor, the late President Roh Moo-hyun, maintained the Sunshine Policy but Kim Dae-jung saw his work unravel with the election of conservative President Lee Myung-bak in 2007, who conditioned aid to the North on the regime's commitment to nuclear disarmament. North Korea cut off nearly all reconciliation ties last year and suspended most of the joint projects that had sprung up in the wake of warming relations, though it announced its intention this week to restore some of them, including reunions of families divided for decades after the 1950-1953 Korean War. Over the past year, as international tensions rose over Pyongyang's continued nuclear defiance, Kim rallied up until the end for Seoul to find a way to engage the North. Kim's wife Lee Hee-ho laid a flower and lit incense at a memorial to her husband inside the hospital on Tuesday. She was joined by former president and her husband's longtime rival Kim Young-sam and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

AP-APTN-0000: US McMahon Remembered Wednesday, 24 June 2009 STORY:US McMahon Remembered- REPLAY Fans remember McMahon at his star on Hollywood Walk of Fame LENGTH: 01:53 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: AP Television STORY NUMBER: 610603 DATELINE: Hollywood, Calif., 23 June 2009 LENGTH: 01:53 SHOTLIST: Associated Press Television Los Angeles, 23 June 2009 1. Wide pedestrians on Hollywood Boulevard 2. Close street sign: Hollywood Boulevard 3. Wide worker places wreath and flowers on Ed McMahon star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 4. Close Ed McMahon ribbon on wreath 5. Close note on memorial wreath from Hollywood Historic Trust 6. Medium tilt down Ed McMahon memorial wreath to Hollywood Walk of Fame star 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Kim Ward/Onlooker at wreath ceremony, on Ed McMahon: "He was a great sidekick to Johnny Carson. 'Star Search' -- a lot of stars became famous because of him. Publishers Clearing House -- he could've came to my house and said 'Hey, you're a winner! Ten million dollars!' He was just a great guy." 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Schriber/Onlooker at wreath ceremony, on Ed McMahon: "I mean he was almost as important I think as Johnny himself in those shows. You know, the shows always began with Ed saying at some point along the line 'Here's Johnny!' A very important contribution, I think. Sorry to see him go. I understand in recent years he had fallen on hard times." 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Marlene Cote/Passerby, on EdMcMahon: "I remember when he used to come to the houses. People used to win money. He used to be a giver, not a taker." 10. Wide camera operators gathered at Ed McMahon's star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, tilt down to star 11. Close Ed McMahon star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 'TONIGHT' SIDEKICK ED MCMAHON DIES AT 86 Ed McMahon, the loyal "Tonight" show sidekick who bolstered boss Johnny Carson with guffaws and a resounding "H-e-e-e-e-e-ere's Johnny!" for 30 years, died early Tuesday. He was 86. McMahon died shortly after midnight at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center surrounded by his wife, Pam, and other family members, said his publicist, Howard Bragman. McMahon broke his neck in a fall in March 2007, and battled a series of financial problems as his injuries prevented him from working. On Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood on Tuesday, workers placed flowers and a wreath bearing McMahon's name on top of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Cameramen and reporters gathered as onlookers -- tourists and locals -- remembered McMahon. "He was a great sidekick to Johnny Carson. 'Star Search' -- a lot of stars became famous because of him," tourist Kim Ward said. "Publishers Clearing House -- he could've came to my house and said 'Hey, you're a winner! Ten million dollars!' He was just a great guy." Tom Schriber, another tourist, said: "I mean he was almost as important I think as Johnny himself in those shows. You know, the shows always began with Ed saying at some point along the line 'Here's Johnny!' A very important contribution, I think. Sorry to see him go. I understand in recent years he had fallen on hard times." McMahon and Carson had worked together for nearly five years on the game show "Who Do You Trust?" when Carson took over NBC's late-night show from Jack Paar in October 1962. McMahon played second banana on "Tonight" until Carson retired in 1992. McMahon's medical and financial problems kept him in the headlines in his last years. It was reported in June 2008 that he was facing possible foreclosure on his Beverly Hills home. By year's end, a deal was worked out allowing him to stay in his home, but legal action involving other alleged debts continued. Born Edward Leo Peter McMahon Jr. on March 6, 1923, in Detroit, McMahon grew up in Lowell, Mass. He got his start on television playing a circus clown on the 1950-51 variety series "Big Top." But the World War II Marine veteran interrupted his career to serve as a fighter pilot in Korea. McMahon and Clark also teamed up as pitchmen for American Family Publishers' sweepstakes, with their faces a familiar sight on contest entry forms and in TV commercials. McMahon was known for his ongoing commercials for Budweiser as well. Besides his wife, Pam, McMahon is survived by children Claudia, Katherine, Linda, Jeffrey and Lex. Bragman said no funeral arrangements have been made. APTN APEX 06-23-09 2023EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-0000: US Beyonce Wednesday, 24 June 2009 STORY:US Beyonce- REPLAY Grammy-winning singer helps fight hunger LENGTH: 02:31 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: General Mills' Hamburger Helper STORY NUMBER: 610594 DATELINE: New York, 22 June 2009 LENGTH: 02:31 SHOTLIST (including transcript): General Mills' Hamburger Helper New York - 22 June 2009 1. Wide shot of Hamburger Helper truck 2. CU of ShowYourHelpingHand.com poster 3. CU of Beyonce/Donate Here poster 4. Wide shot of Beyonce walking on stage 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Beyonce, Recording Artist: "Well families are really struggling right now during this economic downturn and I wanted to do something to help. So I teamed up with General Mills, Hamburger Helper for the Show Your Hand Helping campaign and our goal is to help Feeding America deliver 3.5 million meals to local food banks. But we can't do this alone, so we need people to get involved so we can reach our goal. 6. CU, then pan out of donated food 7. Wide shot of people putting can foods in boxes 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Beyonce, Recording Artist: "You know something I recently learned that really surprised me: one in eight Americans struggle with hunger, and it's crazy. I also learned that it's a problem, especially for kids. It's getting worse during the summer because the kids are on summer vacation, they lose access to school lunches, so they turn to local food banks for help, and I really wanted to help, but I can't do it on my own." 9. Mid shot of crowd and photographers 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Beyonce, Recording Artist: "I'm asking all of my fans to get involved too. They can bring non-perishable food items to my U.S. concerts and that will be donated to Feeding America. And if they can't make it to the concert, it's OK, but there are many other ways to help. Just go to ShowYourHelpingHand.com to learn more." 11. Wide shot of Beyonce on stage putting food in boxes 12. Mid shot of crowd 13. Mid shot of Beyonce posing with food BEYONCE HELPS FIGHT HUNGER Beyonce is providing food for thought, literally. The 27-year-old entertainer announced yesterday (22 June 2009) her partnership with Feeding America and General Mills to help fight hunger. "Well families are really struggling right now during this economic downturn and I wanted to do something to help," she said. Beyonce made the announcement in New York outside of Madison Square Garden, where she opened up the U.S. leg of her "I Am" tour Monday (21 June 2009). She performed at MSG again Tuesday night. Beyonce's is partnering with General Mills' Hamburger Helper with the goal of helping Feeding America deliver more than 3.5 million meals to local food banks through the Show Your Helping Han campaign. Those interested should visit www.showyourhelpinghand.com for more information. The Grammy-winning singer is inviting fans in the U.S. to support the campaign. "They can bring non-perishable food items to my U.S. concerts and that will be donated to Feeding America," she said. Beyonce's U.S. tour will wrap up on August 2 in Las Vegas. Here are additional U.S. tour dates: Jun 23 2009 Baltimore, MD First Mariner Arena Jun 24 2009 Washington, D.C. Verizon Center Jun 26 2009 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center Jun 27 2009 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex Jun 29 2009 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Bank Atlantic Center Jul 1 2009 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena Jul 3 2009 New Orleans, LA Superdome (Essence Music Festival) Jul 4 2009 Houston, TX Toyota Center Jul 5 2009 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Jul 7 2009 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center Jul 9 2009 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena Jul 10 2009 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena Jul 11 2009 Anaheim, CA Honda Center Jul 13 2009 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Jul 16 2009 Minneapolis, MN Target Center Jul 17 2009 Chicago, IL United Center Jul 18 2009 Detroit, MI Palace of Auburn Hills Jul 20 2009 Toronto, Ontario, Canada The Molson Amphitheatre Jul 21 2009 Montreal, CAN Bell Centre Jul 23 2009 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Jul 24 2009 Meadowlands, NJ Izod Center Jul 30 2009 Las Vegas, NV Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas Jul 31 2009 Las Vegas, NV Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas Aug 1 2009 Las Vegas, NV Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas Aug 2 2009 Las Vegas, NV Encore Theater, Wynn Las Vegas APTN APEX 06-23-09 2024EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-0000: UK Natalie Imbruglia Wednesday, 24 June 2009 STORY:UK Natalie Imbruglia- REPLAY Singer has filmed an appeal to raise awareness of the importance of the global water cycle LENGTH: 02:03 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: Ecover/WaterAid STORY NUMBER: 610598 DATELINE: UK, recent LENGTH: 02:03 CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: ALL SUBSCRIBERS PLEASE ENSURE THAT FILM CLIPS ARE CLEARED FOR MEDIA BROADCAST AND/OR INTERNET USE OR THAT THEY COME WITHIN THE PROMOTIONAL WINDOW FOR YOUR TERRITORY. CONTACT DETAILS, WHERE AVAILABLE, MAY BE FOUND BELOW. SHOTLIST (including transcript) :- Ecover/WaterAid UK, Recent 1. Clip Natalie Imbruglia charity film for Ecover/WaterAid 2. Clip Natalie Imbruglia charity film for Ecover/WaterAid 3. Clip Natalie Imbruglia charity film for Ecover/WaterAid NATALIE IMBRUGLIA RECORDS CHARITY FILM Singer Natalie Imbruglia has filmed an appeal to raise awareness of the importance of the global water cycle. The star brings the cameras into her home to offer water saving tips for people in the UK, such as having a shower instead of a bath, and fitting water saving devices in toilet cisterns. She explains how actions in UK homes can have an impact on those elsewhere around the globe with limited access to clean water. Imbruglia also advises using eco-friendly detergents, to minimise impact on the aquatic environment. The full film has been posted for internet viewing at www.ecoverwateraid.com/natalie. APTN APEX 06-23-09 2025EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-0000: US The Cleaner Wednesday, 24 June 2009 STORY:US The Cleaner- REPLAY Benjamin Bratt on 'The Cleaner' and Whoopi Goldberg LENGTH: 04:41 FIRST RUN: 2000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: AP Television, A&E STORY NUMBER: 610583 DATELINE: New York, 22 June 2009 LENGTH: 04:41 CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: COMMERCIAL MUSIC, MUSIC VIDEO AND OR PERFORMANCES, MUST BE CLEARED ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN LOCAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND COPYRIGHT AGREEMENTS WITH YOUR APPLICABLE COLLECTING SOCIETY. DETAILS OF THE TRACKS, WHERE AVAILABLE, MAY BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE SCRIPT.YOU HAVE EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR USE OF ALL AND ANY CONTENT INCLUDED WITHIN THE SERVICE, AND FOR LIBEL, PRIVACY, COMPLIANCE AND THIRD PARTY RIGHTS APPLICABLE TO THEIR TERRITORY. SHOTLIST(including transcript):- A&E 1. Clip - "The Cleaner" AP Television New York, 22 June 2009 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Bratt/Actor "For those people out there who don't know what the show is about I play a recovering heroin addict who is now devoted to helping other addicts put their lives back on track." A&E 3. Clip - "The Cleaner" AP Television New York, 22 June 2009 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Bratt/Actor "Part of the crux for my character William Banks in the first season is it was always an awkward balance between what he did as a profession and what he strives to be which is a good husband and a good father. For however how much success he had in his job he was a miserable failure at home. He was never there." A&E 5. Clip - "The Cleaner" AP Television New York, 22 June 2009 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Bratt/Actor "Warren Boyd is the real life guy on which my character is based and he still cleans (laughs) he does indeed. At any given time while on the set you can see him with multiple, digital devices talking to his team. He's a bit of a mysterious guy and it remains kind of an enigma to me even but once you meet him you can kind of get the natural gravitas, the natural aura that he has in his persona and you kind of get that he's no joke. And the character that I play really is based on him and his life maybe 13 years ago when he first started helping people with recovery." A&E 7. Clip - "The Cleaner" AP Television New York, 22 June 2009 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Benjamin Bratt/Actor "Most people they sort of forget that she's a brilliant actress. She's inarguably an American icon and she's in our lives daily if you tune into 'The View' but um I think it's been awhile since she's actually acted by her own admission and the fact that she (A) started off as a fan of the show and developed a friendship with the show runner Jonathan Prince and then when invited jumped at the chance to come play with us. It really speaks highly of the show and of course we all were amazed and it was so fun to play opposite her. She does have one of those little gold statues as you know from a film she did called "ghost" and so to play with someone of her caliber and her soul really she's an amazing woman and has been really, really great for us." A&E 9. Clip- "The Cleaner" RETURN OF 'THE CLEANER' Benjamin Bratt is back playing a recovered drug addict trying to help others get clean by any means necessary in 'The Cleaner.' The show's second season premieres Tuesday (23JUNE2009) on A&E in the United States. What many people don't realize is Bratt's character is based on a real man named Warren Boyd who is an executive producer on the show. He also still works as an addiction counselor. He's even worked with individual celebrities but won't say who. "At any given time while on the set you can see him with multiple, digital devices talking to his team. He's a bit of a mysterious guy and it remains kind of an enigma to me," says Bratt. Whoopi Goldberg has a recurring role on this season of 'The Cleaner.' "It really speaks highly of the show and of course we all were amazed and it was so fun to play opposite her," says Bratt. "The Cleaner" airs Tuesdays at 10/9C on A&E. APTN APEX 06-23-09 2027EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-0000: UK Coldstream Wednesday, 24 June 2009 STORY:UK Coldstream- REPLAY Coldstream Guards sign recording contract LENGTH: 01:28 FIRST RUN: 1800 RESTRICTIONS: No Access UK, EBU, CNNi, Al Jazeera English TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: Sky STORY NUMBER: 610602 DATELINE: London, UK, 23 June 2009 LENGTH: 01:28 SKY NEWS RESTRICTIONS: NO ACCESS UK, EBU, CNNI AND AL JAZEERA ENGLISH SHOTLIST(including transcript):- Sky News - No Access UK, EBU, CNNI, Al Jazeera English London, 23 June 2009 (vision effects as incoming) 1. Wide shot Coldstream Guards performing 2. Pan Guards performing 3. Cutaway spectator 4. Cutaway reflection in tuba 5. Tilt down inscription on drum 6. Wide shot Dickon Stainer shaking hands with Coldstream guard 7. Close up Coldstream guard signing record contract 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Lt. Col. Jeremy Bagshaw, Coldstream Guards: "The Household Division prides itself on excellence in all that we do and none more so than the musicians and it's fantastic to see that recognised." 9. Medium shot Dickon Stainer shaking hands with Coldstream guard 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Dickon Stainer, Decca Records: "I think we are looking for things that appeal to the public that maybe come from left field and they're not maybe usual or expected and not the things you'd expect to see in the charts every day of the week but that have something special about them." 11. Various of Coldstream Guards marching and performing FROM COLDSTREAM TO MAINSTREAM - MILITARY BAND SIGNS RECORD CONTRACT A military band from one of the regiments that guards Queen Elizabeth II signed a record deal Tuesday with a division of Universal Music, whose artists include Eminem and Amy Winehouse. The Coldstream Guards band is due to release an album titled 'Heroes' later this year on Decca, Universal's classical label. It will include martial-sounding tracks, such as the themes from the films 'Where Eagles Dare' and 'The Dambusters.' "I think we are looking for things that appeal to the public that maybe come from left field and they're not maybe usual or expected and not the things you'd expect to see in the charts every day of the week but that have something special about them," said Dickon Stainer, Managing Director of Decca Records. Members of the 350-year-old regiment help guard royal palaces, clad in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats. Its troops have also recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Jeremy Bagshaw of the Coldsteam Guards said the band are delighted to be signed by the label. "The Household Division prides itself on excellence in all that we do and none more so than the musicians and it's fantastic to see that recognised," he said. Universal Music is a unit of Paris-based media conglomerate Vivendi SA. APTN APEX 06-23-09 2028EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM ------------------- AP-APTN-0000: US Snoop, Tyson Wednesday, 24 June 2009 STORY:US Snoop, Tyson- NEW Snoop Dogg beats Mike Tyson in 'Fight Night Round 4' video game LENGTH: 05:34 FIRST RUN: 0000 RESTRICTIONS: Check script for details TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: AP, Electronic Arts STORY NUMBER: 610611 DATELINE: Los Angeles, 22 June 2009 LENGTH: 05:34 CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: ALL SUBSCRIBERS PLEASE ENSURE THAT FILM CLIPS ARE CLEARED FOR MEDIA BROADCAST AND/OR INTERNET USE OR THAT THEY COME WITHIN THE PROMOTIONAL WINDOW FOR YOUR TERRITORY. CONTACT DETAILS, WHERE AVAILABLE, MAY BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE SCRIPT. SHOT LIST: AP Television West Hollywood, Calif., 22 June 2009 1. Wide House of Blues on Sunset Strip 2. Close House of Blues on Sunset Strip sign Electronic Arts West Hollywood, Calif., 22 June 2009 3. Medium Mike Tyson on arrivals line at "Fight Night Round 4" launch event with new wife Lakiha Spicer 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Tyson/Boxer, on being on cover of "Fight Night Round 4" video game: "Egotistically speaking, I thought I should've been on the one previous to me. I was jealous and a little upset. I'm just totally fulfilled to be on the cover now." Electronic Arts 5. Still image: Mike Tyson in "Fight Night Round 4" 6. Still image: "Fight Night Round 4" cover AP Television West Hollywood, Calif., 22 June 2009 7. Medium Mike Tyson leaves arrivals line at "Fight Night Round 4" launch event with new wife Lakiha Spicer 8. Medium people playing "Fight Night Round 4" video game inside House of Blues 9. UPSOUND Snoop Dogg is introduced at video game competition 10. Wide cutaway crowd 11. UPSOUND Wide Mike Tyson is introduced at video game competition 12. UPSOUND Medium Mike Tyson talks at introduction of video game competition 13. Wide Snoop Dogg plays "Fight Night Round 4" against Mike Tyson (in background) on House of Blues stage 14. Medium Mike Tyson plays "Fight Night Round 4" against Snoop Dogg 15. SOUNDBITE (English) Snoop Dogg/Recording artist, on his friendship with Mike Tyson: "You know, when Mike was in his prime, I was in my prime. So it was more about just friends just hooking up. Just maintaining friendship throughout the years." 16. Medium over the shoulder Snoop Dogg playing "Fight Night Round 4" Electronic Arts West Hollywood, Calif., 22 June 2009 17. Wide screen at House of Blues as Snoop Dogg plays game against Mike Tyson 18. Medium Mike Tyson playing "Fight Night Round 4" 19. Medium Snoop Dogg celebrating win over Mike Tyson at "Fight Night Round 4" 20. Medium Mike Tyson reacting to "Fight Night Round 4" loss 21. Medium Snoop Dogg celebrating win over Mike Tyson at "Fight Night Round 4" 22. Wide Snoop Dogg celebrating win over Mike Tyson at "Fight Night Round 4" 23. SOUNDBITE (English) Snoop Dogg/Recording artist, on fighting Mike Tyson on a video game: "I fought with my character Malice. He was a light heavyweight, I believe he was like 170 (pounds), something like what I do. And Mike's character was like 220 (pounds). It was a mismatch. I was the underdog. Ten to one favored to lose. But stuck it out, used my jab. Fundamentals. Got him in the body. Knocked him out in the fourth round." 24. UPSOUND Mike Tyson talks after losing "Fight Night Round 4" match to Snoop Dogg 25. Medium Mike Tyson signs boxing glove for fans 26. SOUNDBITE (English) Snoop Dogg/Recording artist, on Mike Tyson: "I mean, it's great to see his evolution come back around and for him to get what's deserved as far as his notoriety, his respect, his love and you know credibility for who he is and what he's done for the sport of boxing, for humanity, just for people in general. His struggle is our struggle. I'm a fan of his, a friend of his. I'm just happy to see him still relevant after so many years." Warner Bros 27. Film clip: "The Hangover" AP Television West Hollywood, Calif., 22 June 2009 28. SOUNDBITE (English) Snoop Dogg/Recording artist, on Mike Tyson: "You know, the growth and development that he's went through. Ups and downs. It's part of life. You know, a career where he's had highs and lows, a life with highs and lows. And now he's back on top again, you know. That's where he's meant to be." 29. Medium Snoop Dogg poses for photo with fans 30. SOUNDBITE (English) Snoop Dogg/Recording artist, on 'Fight Night Round 4': "The things I like about the game -- I like the ability to punch with the analog button. You have more punch control. And the ability to fire back and to counter-punch." 31. Close zoom to medium fans play "Fight Night Round 4" at House of Blues event 32. SOUNDBITE (English) Snoop Dogg/Recording artist, on his choice of cell phones: "I don't like iPhones. Everybody got one." Electronic Arts 33. Trailer, 'Fight Night Round 4' SNOOP OUTBOXES MIKE TYSON -- ON AN XBOX 360 Will Smith once released a song titled "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson." Now another veteran rapper really has. Snoop Dogg outboxed the former heavyweight champion on Monday night -- on a video game console. Tyson is featured on the cover of Electronic Arts' new "Fight Night Round 4" for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and Snoop Dogg has an unlockable character in the game named Malice. Tyson said outside the event he was glad to make the cover, with another former champ, Muhammad Ali. "Egotistically speaking, I thought I should've been on the one previous to me. I was jealous and a little upset," Tyson said. "I'm just totally fulfilled to be on the cover now." Inside the House of Blues on Sunset Strip, Tyson faced off against Snoop in a four-round match of "Fight Night" on a big screen. The two have been friends since meeting in 1993, according to Snoop. Snoop said he was a 10-1 underdog but used his jab to knock out Tyson's character: "Fundamentals. Got him in the body. Knocked him out in the fourth round." Tyson has been resurgent in pop culture in recent months, with the release of a documentary about his life, his appearance in the nation's top movie for two straight weeks, "The Hangover," and Jamie Foxx talking about starring in a biopic about him. "I mean, it's great to see his evolution come back around and for him to get what's deserved as far as his notoriety, his respect, his love and you know credibility for who he is and what he's done for the sport of boxing, for humanity, just for people in general," Snoop said of Tyson. "His struggle is our struggle. I'm a fan of his, a friend of his. I'm just happy to see him still relevant after so many years." Tyson has faced highs and lows even in the past several weeks. He married for the third time this month, just ten days after his 4-year-old daughter died in a tragic treadmill accident. He appeared at the "Fight Night" event with his new wife, whose maiden name was Lakiha Spicer. "You know, the growth and development that he's went through," Snoop Dogg said. "Ups and downs. It's part of life. You know, a career where he's had highs and lows, a life with highs and lows. And now he's back on top again, you know. That's where he's meant to be." "Fight Night Round 4" is out this week for Xbox 360 and PS3. APTN APEX 06-23-09 2029EDT ------------------- END -- OF -- ITEM -------------------

<p><pi><b>This package/segment contains third party material. Unless otherwise noted, this material may only be used within this package/segment.</b></pi></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--SUPERS</b>--</p>\n<p>Thursday</p>\n<p>Newton, IA</p>\n<p></p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Alina Poznanska</p>\n<p>Ukrainian Refugee</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--SUPERS</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--VIDEO SHOWS</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--VO SCRIPT</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--LEAD IN</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--SOT</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--TAG</b>--</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS</b>--</p>\n<p>Alina Poznanska/Ukrainian Refugee</p>\n<p>"My husband came back home. He bought some gas for our car and some dry food, which you can use if you don't have any electricity."</p>\n<p>BUT ALINA POZNANSKA SAYS SHE DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE RUSSIA WOULD STAR A WAR.</p>\n<p>JUST HOURS AFTER TROOPS INVADED, SHE CALLED HER MOM -- WHO LIVES 15 MILES FROM THE RUSSIAN BOARDER.</p>\n<p>Alina Poznanska/Ukrainian Refugee</p>\n<p>"She told me that i'm in the basement and there are hundreds of tanks who just moved through our village."</p>\n<p>THAT WAS LAST FEBRUARY.</p>\n<p>FAST FORWARD EXACTLY A YEAR LATER. </p>\n<p>ALINA AND HER KIDS ARE IN THE U.S. -- WHILE HER HUSBAND HAS TO REMAIN IN UKRAINE.</p>\n<p>Alina Poznanska/Ukrainian Refugee</p>\n<p>"He works as a freelance videographer, but also as a private interpreter."</p>\n<p>HE CONVINCED ALINA TO TAKE THE KIDS TO NEWTON -- THE TOWN SHE HAD STAYED IN AS PART OF AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN 2009.</p>\n<p>HER HOST - CAROL - OPENED HER HOME ONCE AGAIN.</p>\n<p>ANOTHER WORD GRANDMOTHER -- WHICH IS HOW THEY SEE HER.</p>\n<p>AND WHILE HER KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL, ALINA IS WORKING TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT UKRAINE.</p>\n<p>SOMETHING SHE DID IN A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE THURSDAY NIGHT IN NEWTON.</p>\n<p>Alina Poznanska/Ukrainian Refugee</p>\n<p>"My husband is not in the war, but all our dreams, all our plans, all our life was destroyed by Russia."</p>\n<p>ONE BY ONE, PEOPLE ASKED QUESTIONS.</p>\n<p>WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT ALINA HOPED WOULD HAPPEN.</p>\n<p>Alina Poznanska/Ukrainian Refugee</p>\n<p>"I can be the voice of my country. Here you can hear real, true story."</p>\n<p>WHILE ALINA WAITS FOR A CHANCE TO RETURN HOME, SHE'S KEEPING HOPE ALIVE.</p>\n<p>Alina Poznanska/Ukrainian Refugee</p>\n<p>"We have to prove again that we're an independent nation and that we're fighting for this democracy and for independence."</p>\n<p></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>-----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--KEYWORD TAGS--</b></p>\n<p></p>

NAME: MEX DRUG WAR 20090729Ix TAPE: EF09/0725 IN_TIME: 10:09:39:09 DURATION: 00:02:24:06 SOURCES: AP TELEVISION/TV AZTECA DATELINE: Veracruz -29 July 2009 RESTRICTIONS: Check shotlist for details SHOTLIST TV Azteca - No Access Mexico Veracruz - 29 July 2009 1. Various of firefighters arriving at the house UPSOUND: siren 2. Flames coming out of window, pull back to wide 3. Various of firefighters 4. Smoke coming from window on upper floor 5. Firefighters spraying water through window 6. Firefighter checking pump on fire engine, pull back to wide 7. Ambulance arriving 8. Medics walking to house 9. Various of firefighters and police AP Television ++Audio as incoming++ Mexico City - 29 July 2009 10. Police officers walking, escorting prisoners alleged to be members of La Familia cartel 11. Prisoners standing by table 12. Close of cuffed hands, tilt up to prisoner's face 13. Pan along line of prisoners 14. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Ramon Pequeno, head of anti-narcotics force of the Federal Police "Members of the Federal Police detained yesterday at the same time six alleged members of the financial structure of the Michoacan cartel of La Familia." 13. Wide of authorities at news conference STORYLINE Gunmen shot up and torched the home of a Mexican police commander on Wednesday, killing the officer, his wife and his four children, including a six-year-old boy. The interior of the house in the Gulf coast city of Veracruz was completely destroyed and its facade was riddled with bullet holes. Inside, police found the bodies of municipal police commander Jesus Antonio Romero and his family, Veracruz state Public Safety Secretary Sergio Lopez said. Police said the youngest child was a six-year-old boy and the oldest a 15-year-old girl. The motive was unclear, but the pre-dawn attack bore the hallmarks of Mexico's brutal drug cartels. Lopez said police believed the assailants set fire to the house by hurling grenades. He said neighbours reported hearing explosions. Romero was promoted a month ago to deputy operations coordinator for the Veracruz-Boca del Rio area, a hotbed of drug violence and a stronghold of the Zetas, a group of hit men aligned with the Gulf cartel. It was unclear if Romero and his family were shot dead or overcome by the fire. Mexico's drug war has claimed more than 11,000 lives since President Felipe Calderon deployed tens of thousands of soldiers and federal police nationwide to fight the cartels. Drug gangs have stepped up attacks on police and government officials, often gunning them down in front of their homes, but it is rare for their families to be targeted. In one of the boldest offensives against the government, 18 federal agents were killed earlier this month in a series of attacks in western Mexico blamed on La Familia drug cartel. Authorities say La Familia was retaliating for the arrest of one of its top members. The federal government responded by sending 5,500 federal police, soldiers and navy personnel to western Michoacan state and stepping up its offensive against La Familia, which has turned to large-scale methampthetamine production. On Wednesday, Federal Police announced the capture of six more suspected La Familia members, including a man accused of being a chief financial operator. The arrests came a day after soldiers seized almost a half-ton of crystal methamphetamine in raids on two rural drug laboratories in Michoacan. Authorities have raided at least 40 drug labs in Michoacan this year, including 19 in the last 10 days.

<p><b>**ATTENTION AFFILIATES: BELOW IS A ROUGH TRANSCRIPTION PROVIDED BY AN AUTOMATED SERVICE. THIS MAY NOT BE EXACT. PLEASE CHECK FOR ACCURACY BEFORE TAKING TO AIR.**</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--SUPERS</b>--</p>\n<p>Thursday</p>\n<p>Washington, DC</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Jon Finer</p>\n<p>Principal Dep Natl Sec Adviser </p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--VIDEO SHOWS</b>--</p>\n<p>[close captioning]</p>\n<p>I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THAT OTHER THAN THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE AREA OF FOCUS FOR OUR EMBASSY, FOR THE EXPERTS WE HAVE SENT TO THE REGION TO CONSULT WITH THEIR ISRAELI COUNTERPARTS AND ADVISE THEM ON HOSTAGE RECOVERY EFFORTS AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS, OBVIOUSLY, AN AREA OF GREAT CONCERN TO ALL OF US. PEOPLE WHO ARE STUCK IN THIS SITUATION. IT IS ABOUT THE WORST CONDITION YOU COULD IMAGINE BEING TAKEN FRB A PLACE WHERE YOU ARE EITHER TRAVELING OR LIVE AND DRAGGED ACROSS THE BORDER INTO A HOSTILE SITUATION LIKE THIS. THIS WILL REMAIN AREA AREA OF SECRETARY BLINKEN'S MEETINGS IN JERUSALEM TODAY. >> ANOTHER FOCUS OF THE SECRETARY'S MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THIS TRIP WILL BE</p>\n<p>07:54:13;01 - 07:56:12;01</p>\n<p>POTENTIAL FOR HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS OR PASSAGES. ALSO, THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED AMERICAN CITIZENS IN GAZA RIGHT NOW. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN RAFAH, THE CROSSWALK AND WHAT EGYPT'S ROLE HAS BEEN. WHAT IS THE STATUS? IS THAT OPEN? SHOULD AMERICANS IN GAZA GO THERE? >> IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THERE ARE 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GAZA. VERY DIFFICULT LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE BEST OF TIMES AND THIS IS PRETTY FAR FROM THE BEST OF TIMES. AND SO AS THE PRESIDENT SAID YESTERDAY, THIS IS A STOP I CAN OF DIRECT CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OPTIONS LIKE HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS AND SAFE ZONES, OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF GAZA IF THEY CAN. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT DEMOCRACIES LIKE THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL ARE STRONGEST WHEN THEY OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE LAWS OF WAR AND THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING AREA OF FOCUS BETWEEN US AND THEN AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THIS VERY CHALLENGING OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE ISRAELI MILITARY WILL BE FIGHTING. >> THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THAT EGYPT HAD REJECTED THE IDEA OF A BROADER HUMANITARIAN CORRIDOR. IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THAT? >> I WILL KEEP OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF EGYPT PRIVATE. BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE BEST OPTION, MOST LIKELY THE ONLY OPTION FOR PEOPLE TO GET OUT OF GAZA WILL BE THROUGH THE RAFAH CROSSING THAT LEADS INTO EGYPT. WE BELIEVE WE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH EGYPT ON AAN ARRANGEMENT. WE ARE FOCUSED OVERNIGHT THIS DAY BY DAY, HOUR AHOUR. >> THE SECRETARY ECHOED THE PRESIDENT'S STRENGTH OF SUPPORT AND UNITY WITH THE ISRAELI PEOPLE, WITH PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU AND ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE NEED FOR MORAL CLARITY AND SEPARATING THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE FROM HAMAS. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THOSE CALLS ARE BEING HEEDED BY THE ISRAELIS AS THEY PLAN A MILITARY OPERATION?</p>\n<p>07:56:12;02 - 07:58:11;10</p>\n<p>>> I'D SAY A FEW THINGS. 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN GAZA. THE VAST MAJORITY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CONFLICT. I SPENT TIME IN GAZA IN 2009 DURING ANOTHER WAR THERE. MADE AN IMPRESSION ON ME HOW CHALLENGING PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE THERE, PARTICULARLY UNDER A MILITARY OPERATION. SO THE FACT THAT WE ARE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION THOUGH I THINK IS THE IMPORTANT PART. THE FACT THIS IS A SUBJECT NOT JUST BETWEEN STAFF ON THE U.S. SIDE AND THE ISRAELI SIDE BUT BETWEEN THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE PRESIDENT IS A STARK DIFFERENCE FROM HOW HAMAS OPERATES. HAMAS CROSSED INTO ISRAEL WITH THE EXPRESS GOAL OF KILLING AS MANY ISRAELIS, MILITARY CIVILIANS DIDN'T CARE. AND NOW THEY HAVE RETREATED INTO THEIR TERRITORY, INTO THE GAZA STRIP WITH NO OBJECTIVE OF AVOIDING DAMAGE TO THEIR CIVILIAN POPULATION FROM WHAT IS TO COME. SO THE FACT THAT THIS CONVERSATION IS HAPPENING IS IMPORTANT. WE WILL LARGELY KEEP THE DETAILS OF IT PRIVATE. IT WILL BE ON ONGOING AREA OF DIRECT DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL. >> YOU WERE THERE IN 2009 IN ONE OF THE TWO ISRAELI INCURSIONS INTO THE COUNTRY. I THINK THAT WAS 15 DAYS. THIS ONE IS -- ISRAELI OFFICIALS SIDE WILL BE LARGER IN THE DIFFICULTY AND COMPLEXITY THAT COMES WITH IT. A LONGER-TERM QUESTION, IF I MAY. WHEN PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU TALKS ABOUT ELIMINATING HAMAS, CRUSHING HAMAS AKIN TO WHAT WAS DONE WITH ISIS, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? IT IS THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE IN GAZA. WHAT FILLS THE VACUUM THERE? >> THAT A VERY CHALLENGING QUESTION. GOVERNANCE OF GAZA HAS BEEN EXTREMELY CHALLENGING SINCE HAMAS TOOK OVER IN 2005, 2006. THIS IS AN AREA WE WILL BE DIRECTLY CONSULTING WITH THE ISRAELIS ON. WE PROBABLY HAVE SOME TIME. THIS IS AN OPERATION THAT IS LIKELY TO UNFOLD OVER WEEKS, IF NOT LONGER. THAT'S WHAT THE ISRAELIS HAVE SAID. BUT THE FUTURE GOVERNANCE OF GAZA IS ONE OF THE MANY SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES</p>\n<p>07:58:12;02 - 08:00:09;05</p>\n<p>ASSOCIATED THE CURRENT SITUATION. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HAMAS HAS PROVEN THEMSELVES UNFIT, UNABLE TO GOVERN THIS TERRITORY IN A WAY THAT CAN BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISRAELIS GIVEN WHAT JUST HAPPENED. THAT'S WHAT THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT IS SAYING AND IT'S GOING TO BE THE NEXT CHALLENGE AFTER THIS COMPLICATED MILITARY OPERATION IS COMPLETED AND WE ARE PROBABLY A LONG WAY FROM THAT TO PIG OUT WHAT THE FUTURE OF GOVERNANCE THERE LOOKS LIKE. >> THE MESSAGE OF DETERRENCE, WHICH HAS BEEN SHOWN BY ACTIONS AND WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE, JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IN THE ADMINISTRATION, SAYING FLATLY DON'T. THERE ARE A AM NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PLAYERS IN THE REGION WITH VERY SPECIFIC INTERESTS HERE. IF THAT WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, WHAT IS THE U.S. RESPONSE? >> SO ONE THING THAT THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T DO AND NONE OF US ARE GOING TO DO ON HIS BEHALF IS TELEGRAPH OUR NEXT MOVE OR TELEGRAPH OUR PUNCHES. IT IS CLEAR TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT CONSIDER GETTING INVOLVED IN THIS CONFLICT THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS CONSIDERABLE CAPABILITIES AT OUR DISPOSAL, NOT JUST THE CARRIER STRIKE GROUP MOVED INTO THE REGION BUT A FORCE POSTURE THAT EXISTS IN THE REGION AT ALL TIMES. BEYOND THAT WHICH WE BELIEVE SENDS AN UNMISTAKABLE MESSAGE, I AM NOT GOING TO GET INTO WHAT WE MIGHT DO IN A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION. >> APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.</p>

<pi> This package/segment contains third party material. Unless otherwise noted, this material may only be used within this package/segment. Usage must cease on all platforms (including digital) within ten days of its initial delivery or such shorter time as designated by CNN. </pi>

 --SUPERS--

:00-:04
Sen. Al Franken
(D) Minnesota

:04-:07
Courtesy Office of Al Franken

:08-:15
Roaring Brook Press

:25-:29
Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities

:30-:33
Sen. Al Franken
(D) Minnesota

:36-:43
From Luis Carlos Montalvan

:48-1:00
2011
Luis Carlos Montalvan
Author, U.S.Army Veteran

1:01-1:20
CBS/Worldwide Pants

1:20-1:24
Courtesy Office of Al Franken

1:38-1:45
Sen. Al Franken
(D) Minnesota

2:04-2:22
Sen. Al Franken
(D) Minnesota

2:26-2:29
Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities

2:29-2:36
Lu Picard
Co-Founder, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities

2:41-2:48
Roaring Brook Press

2:49-2:52
December 2016
Sen. Al Franken
(D) Minnesota

 --LEAD IN--
ACCORDING TO THE V-A, MORE THAN SIX-HUNDRED-THOUSAND VETERANS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER...
SOME OF THESE HEROES COULD NOT ADJUST TO LIFE BACK AT HOME WITHOUT THE HELP OF SOME VERY SPECIAL FRIENDS...
MAN"S BEST FRIEND TO BE EXACT...
FOR EIGHT YEARS ONE SENATOR HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR FUNDING WITH THE LONG TERM GOAL OF PROVIDING MORE SERVICE DOGS TO MORE VETS...
CNN"S JAKE TAPPER HAS THE STORY.

 --REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--
Sen. Al Franken / (D) Minnesota: He had become a friend and he was an inspiration."
IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR SENATOR AL FRANKEN WHEN HE MET US ARMY CAPTAIN LUIS CARLOS MONTALVAN (MONT-AL-VAUGHN) AND HIS SERVICE DOG TUESDAY- 
THEY INSPIRED FRANKEN"S FIRST PIECE OF LEGISLATION.
Sen. Al Franken / (D) Minnesota: "Service dog, its amazing what they do!"
THE BILL, PASSED IN 2009, AND CALLED FOR FUNDING A PILOT STUDY TO PAIR 200 VETERANS WITH SERVICE DOGS...
Nats of dog barking
...AND OBSERVE THE OUTCOME
Sen. Al Franken / (D) Minnesota: "As I started studying this I was more and more convinced that this would be a very good thing to do. 
Jake Tapper / Washington: "So this was your first piece of legislation?
Sen. Al Franken / (D) Minnesota: "It was. "
AFTER TWO TOURS IN IRAQ MONTALVAN RETURNED FROM WAR IN 2006 WITH A PURPLE HEART AND TWO BRONZE STARS… BUT THEN, JUST LEAVING HIS APARTMENT BACK IN THIS COUNTRY WAS A STRUGGLE. 
Luis Carlos Montalvan / Author, U.S.Army Veteran: "It was a very low point for me. dealing with some alcoholism and a myriad of negative effects of post traumatic stress disorder // I was really in terrible shape."
WHAT HELPED MONTALVAN, WAS TUESDAY- A HIGHLY TRAINED SERVICE DOG AND FRIEND THAT INSPIRED HIM TO WRITE CHILDREN"S BOOKS - AND EVEN BE INTERVIEWED BY DAVID LETTERMAN
Luis Carlos Montalvan / Author, U.S.Army Veteran: "He brightens my days and he calms my nights// He will proactively change my disposition. "
FRANKEN HOPED THAT POSITIVE, SCIENTIFIC STUDY RESULTS MIGHT ALLOW MORE VETERANS ACCESS TO THE SAME KIND OF HELP. 
BUT IN THE 8 YEARS SINCE THE BILL PASSED, THE STUDY THAT IT MANDATED HAS TAKEN MUCH LONGER THAN FRANKEN IMAGINED IT WOULD. 
Sen. Al Franken / (D) Minnesota: "They want to be careful that this is scientifically valid. They wanted to do this right which I think is more important than doing it fast. It is very frustrating."
TRAGICALLY, HOWEVER... MONTALVAN WILL NEVER SEE THE RESULTS OF THE WORK HE INFLUENCED. 
LAST DECEMBER, ON A TRIP WITHOUT TUESDAY, MONTALVAN TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. 
Jake Tapper / Washington: "Tuesday is now retired as a service dog, Luis is now dead, and you"re still fighting this fight."
Sen. Al Franken / (D) Minnesota: "Yeah, losing Luis and losing him that way was just very sad. I just sat down and cried you know. He clearly was profoundly and deeply wounded."
TUESDAY NOW LIVES WITH HIS TRAINER, LU PICARD WHO HAS RAISED HUNDREDS OF SERVICE ANIMALS
Lu Picard / Co-Founder, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities: "He"s still visiting VA hospitals, schools and working in the public talking about service dogs and the benefits of service dogs."
WITH THE STUDY MONTALVAN AND TUESDAY INSPIRED DUE TO BE COMPLETE IN 2018, AND SIMILAR BILLS RECENTLY INTRODUCED, THERE MAY BE MORE TUESDAYS FOR MORE VETERANS SOON. 
Sen. Al Franken / (D) Minnesota: "Luis I want you to know while you are not with us anymore, I want you to know I"m proud of you.
JAKE TAPPER CNN, WASHINGTON.
 -----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----

 --KEYWORD TAGS--
FRANKEN ARMY PTSD SERVICE DOGS



NAME: POL WAR 20090831I TAPE: EF09/0826 IN_TIME: 10:40:52:07 DURATION: 00:03:29:02 SOURCES: AP TELEVISION DATELINE: Various, 27-29 Aug 2009 RESTRICTIONS: SHOTLIST Gdansk, Poland - 27 August 2009 1. Tilt down of Westerplatte monument 2. Close of two wreaths on steps of monument 3. Wide of visitors on steps, taking photos of monument 4. Wide of Westerplatte monument 5. Wide of site of state ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II, with huge letters forming the words: (Polish) "No more wars" 6. Mid of memorial stones in front of former bunker at Westerplatte 7. Close of names of killed soldiers on memorial stone, pull focus to flowers in the foreground Wielun, Poland - 28 August 2009 8. Street sign reading: (Polish) "Wielun" 9. Wide of street in town centre 10. Wide exterior of Wielun historical museum, flags 11. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Eugeniusz Kolodziejczyk, 83, World War II Survivor: "I was thinking about the people, about the children, this girl who was lying several metres from here. I ran up to her, and my father said 'where are you going?' And I ran up to her after the planes passed over. I tried to pick her up, her dark hair was hanging and her face was full of blood, and her hands dropped lifelessly. I could see she was dying." 12. Tilt down from treetop to Kolodziejczyk speaking 13. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Eugeniusz Kolodziejczyk, 83, World War II Survivor: "Unfortunately it happened. But it was not the fault of the German people. It was the fault of madmen who wanted to rule the world, and they met their end the way they did." 14. Wide of Kolodziejczyk walking through exhibition in the Wielun historical museum about the outbreak of World War II in Wielun 15. Close of black and white photograph showing burning house in Wielun 16. Close of photograph showing Nazi soldiers and officers at the entrance of the Wielun town hall 17. Mid of Jan Ksiazek, head of the Wielun historical museum, talking to Kolodziejczyk 18. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Jan Ksiazek, Head of the Wielun Historical Museum: "Unfortunately, the entire Second World War was a war of total destruction. And this did actually start in Wielun. Westerplatte is the symbol of bravery, and Wielun is the symbol of annihilation of defenceless civilians." Mokra (near Czestochowa), Poland - 29 August 2009 19. Wide of battlefield monument with row of flags 20. Mid of 95-year-old Polish war veteran, Marian Wojciechowski kneeling down at monument at the site of the historical battlefield of Mokra, dedicated to the defenders of Poland 21. Mid of monument 22. Close of Wojciechowski looking up at monument 23. Wide of Wojciechowski walking through historical site of the battle of Mokra 24. Close of fire 25. SOUNDBITE (English) Marian Wojciechowski, 95, World War II veteran and Auschwitz survivor: "We didn't have enough ammunition, we did not have enough weapons, we were not prepared at all." 26. Close of Wojciechowski's identification card of the Polish Union from American-occupied German territory in 1945 27. SOUNDBITE (English) Marian Wojciechowski, 95, World War II veteran and Auschwitz survivor: "All the other countries were also fighting later on for freedom. And we started the fight, we were first to fight." 28. Wide of Wojciechowski walking to memorial tablets at the battlefield of Mokra STORYLINE Just before dawn on September 1, 1939, Eugeniusz Kolodziejczyk, a 13-year-old Pole, stood on a train station platform in Wielun and watched as the bombs began to fall. The explosions set off a worldwide conflict that would rage for more than half a decade and leave more than 40 (m) million military personnel and civilians dead: World War II had began. As the bombs fell, Kolodziejczyk remembers running to help a small girl who was lying on a heap of rubble, her face covered in blood. "This girl who was lying several metres from here... I ran up to her after the planes passed over. I tried to pick her up, her dark hair was hanging and her face was full of blood, and her hands dropped lifelessly. I could see she was dying," Kolodziejczyk said, recalling the first few moments after the bombing. The Polish town of Wielun was the first victim of the war in Europe, even before the tiny Polish military outpost on Westerplatte, in Gdansk, some 250 miles (400 kilometres) to the north on the Baltic Sea, which was shelled by the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein just five minutes after Wielun. Westerplatte is the site of Monday's state ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the start of the war in Poland, to be attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. But Wielun defends its place in history and will hold its own anniversary ceremonies with the participation of President Lech Kaczynski. Last year it nominated itself for the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that its wartime past qualifies it to carry a message of pacifism, along with Guernica, the Spanish town in the Basque Country that was heavily bombed on market day by the German air force, with the collusion of Franco, during the Spanish Civil War, and became a symbol of war's barbarity. The attack on Wielun was a harbinger of what Poland and the rest of Europe had in store for them as the continent faced total war: some 1,200 of the town's 15,000 citizens were killed and more than 70 percent of the buildings turned to rubble. During the Nazi occupation, Poland lost some six (m) million citizens and more than half its national wealth in destroyed factories, burned down museums, libraries and villages. The country was also to be used as a base for the occupying Nazis' genocide machinery; the concentration camps Auschwitz, Majdanek, Sobibor were all located there, among others. It is not entirely clear why Germany chose Wielun, just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border, as its first target. But in a book published in Berlin in 1939 German Luftwaffe (Air Force) officers said they believed Polish troops were stationed in the city. "The entire Second World War was a war of total destruction. And this did actually start in Wielun. Westerplatte is the symbol of bravery, and Wielun is the symbol of annihilation of defenceless civilians," said Jan Ksiazek, head of the town's historical museum. Today, the main square is framed by low, modern houses that filled in the void left after the old, historic buildings were demolished. There are no reminders of the bombings except for the stone foundations of a 14th century church in the town centre. Despite vivid memories of wartime horror, Kolodziejczyk has a message of reconciliation: "Unfortunately it happened. But it was not the fault of the German people," he said. "It was the fault of madmen who wanted to rule the world, and they met their end the way they did," he added. At 95 years-old, Marian Wojciechowski is now the oldest surviving soldier from the 21st regiment of the Nadwislanski Lancers in the Wolynska Cavalry Brigade. He fought in the battle of Mokra, a small town between Wielun and Czestochowa, known for its famous monastery of Jasna Gora. Wojciechowski has lived in the US for nearly fifty years now, and is the only Polish veteran from the US joining ceremonies in Mokra. His regiment fought against German tanks despite poor supply lines and inferior weaponry. "We didn't have enough ammunition, we did not have enough weapons, we were not prepared at all, " Wojciechowski said. Wojciechowski's unit, the 21st regiment, received the highest Polish military award for bravery in battle, the Virtuti Militari. Wojciechowski is also a former prisoner of the Gestapo in Radom, and of the concentration camps in Auschwitz, Gross Rosen and Leitmeritz, from April 1942 to May 1945. But he says he feels no bitterness. "All the other countries were also fighting later on for freedom. And we started the fight, we were first to fight."

--SUPERS--
:00 - :30
Ben Wedeman
CNN Senior Correspondent

:18 -:26
Omar
Worked With American Troops in Iraq

1:00 - end 
Ben Wedeman
CNN Senior International Correspondent

 --LEAD IN--
IRAQ IS ONE OF THE SEVEN COUNTRIES IMPACTED BY THE U.S. JUDGE"S RULING TO TEMPORARILY HALT THE TRAVEL BAN IMPLEMENTED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
C-N-N SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT BEN WEDEMAN REPORTS HOW TRAVELERS THERE ARE HANDLING THE NEWS.

 --REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--
IN: THE ENTIRE PROCESS
OUT: IF YOU"RE GONNA GO, YOU BETTER GO NOW

 --CNN WIRE--
 Iraqis say Trump"s travel ban ignores their service to the US
 By Ben Wedeman
 CNN Senior International Correspondent
 BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Two prosthetic legs lean against the wall in the bedroom, black shoes protruding from the trousers. In another corner sit several suitcases, packed, stacked and ready to go.
 Omar Hameed plans to strap the legs on when he finally gets the go-ahead to head to Baghdad International Airport with this wife and four children to fly to the United States. 
 Their passports all have clearly marked immigrant visas, issued by the US Embassy in Baghdad on Dec. 20, 2016. 
 But their plans are now on hold following President Trump"s executive order imposing a temporary travel ban on citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iraq.
 Hameed, 39, lost his legs in 2009, when the Islamic State of Iraq -- the precursor to ISIS -- planted a bomb under the driver"s seat of his car. 
 Earlier that day he had attended a farewell ceremony for the US Marines outside his native city of Falluja.
 The blast was revenge for Hameed"s work with the Marines and Iraqi police in what, during the American occupation of Iraq, was Iraq"s deadliest city. 
 During his long recovery, Hameed realized he had to leave his homeland. He applied for an immigration visa to the United States under a special refugee program for Iraqis who had worked with or helped the US in Iraq.


 Iraq differs from other blacklisted countries

 Trump"s travel ban has touched a raw nerve here. 
 "It"s disgusting," former Iraqi National Security Advisor Muwafaq Al-Rubaie told me. "It"s like spitting in the face of Iraq."
 You could argue that Iraq is the odd one out among the seven countries blacklisted by the White House. 
 Unlike Syria, Sudan and Iran, which have a long and troubled history with the US, or Yemen, Libya or Somalia, where war and chaos reign, Iraq has a functioning government with full diplomatic relations with Washington. 
 Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari summoned the US ambassador Monday to protest the ban, saying that Iraq is a victim of terrorism, not a source of it. 

 In a statement issued after the meeting, the Foreign Ministry pointedly noted that some of the foreign jihadis fighting for ISIS in Iraq come from the US and other democratic states, but Iraq hasn"t imposed bans on Americans or others. 
 The timing of the ban is perceived as a particular insult at a time when Iraqi casualties are mounting in the offensive to retake Mosul, now into its fourth month. 

 But Iraq"s options are limited. More than 5,000 US military personnel are in Iraq, providing critical support in the war on ISIS. 
 On Monday the Iraqi parliament voted to impose reciprocal travel restrictions on US citizens. The vote was non-binding, and the government says it"s considering what action to take.
 President Trump defended the travel ban amid mounting criticism this week, tweeting Wednesday that it is "about keeping bad people (with bad intentions) out of the country."
 But experts say that the move may only serve to strengthen terrorists. "By validating Islamist extremist narratives of the West being at war with Islam, the ban acts as a powerful recruiting incentive," Julia Ebner and Jonathan Russell, an analyst and head of policy at Quilliam, a counter-extremism think tank in London, wrote in a CNN op-ed. 

 "Sacrifice and courage"

 Hameed wasn"t interested in critiquing the executive order. He wants to focus on the merits of his case, showing me a list of commendations from his old Marine contacts. 
 The Marines who worked with Hameed wrote glowing recommendations. "Mr. Hameed"s individual sacrifice and unyielding courage is a testament to his patriotism and love for his fellow man," wrote Marine Corps Cpt. Robert Scott. The captain added that Hameed"s "actions contributed to an untold number of Iraqi and American lives being saved throughout Falluja and many parts of Anbar Province."

 Hameed"s first encounter with the Americans didn"t start well. 
 "I saw people planting bombs by the side of the street in my neighborhood," he recalls. "I went to the Americans and warned them. They detained me, thinking I was lying. Then they went and checked, and found the bombs."
 After that, Hameed became a source of critical intelligence in a city where Americans were the enemy and hundreds lost their lives.

 Hameed hasn"t returned to Falluja since the attempt on his life, and has no plans to return.
 "I have no future in Iraq, and my children have no future," he says. "If they go back to Falluja, they"ll be under threat. People will say "your father is Omar" and kill them." 
 His American dream for his children is simple: "I want them to go to a good school, and live a good life."
 With the travel ban, Hameed"s hopes are fading.
 "It was a shock, a strong shock," he says. He and his wife underwent multiple interviews, medical examinations and security checks over the last three years. 
 When the visas finally came through, they sold all their possessions, and are now crowded into one bedroom at a relative"s house in a Baghdad suburb.
 When asked how long it would take him and his family to be ready if they get the call to go, he replies without a moment"s hesitation. 
 "Ten minutes."
 Sitting in his wheelchair at home, Hameed isn"t paying attention to the uproar over the ban. 
 Instead, he"s watching the calendar. His visa expires in April. If the travel ban remains in place, Hameed worries he"ll be back to a very perilous square one.
 -----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----

 --KEYWORD TAGS--
MIDDLE EAST IRAQ TRAVEL BAN U.S. POLITICS EXECUTIVE ORDER TRUMP BAGHDAD



AP-APTN-2330: Sri Lanka Commission Wednesday, 11 August 2010 STORY:Sri Lanka Commission- REPLAY Government-appointed commission begins war hearings LENGTH: 03:12 FIRST RUN: 1730 RESTRICTIONS: Part No SLanka TYPE: English/Nat SOURCE: VARIOUS STORY NUMBER: 654009 DATELINE: Colombo - 11 Aug 2010/ File LENGTH: 03:12 AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY DERANA TV - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA ITN SRI LANKA - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA ++QUALITY AS INCOMING++ ++PRELIMINARY SCRIPT++ SHOTLIST AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY Colombo - 11 August 2010 1. Wide of government-appointed commission looking into Sri Lanka's civil war 2. SOUNDBITE (English) C.R. de Silva, Commission Chairman: "People of our country have gone through the traumatic nightmare of 30 years of war which ravaged our motherland. It is just one year back, our military forces were able to vanquish the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world. Time has now come to consolidate the military victory by addressing the root causes of the conflict and to establish national unity and reconciliation." 3. Cutaway of audience 4. SOUNDBITE (English) C.R. de Silva, Commission Chairman: "His Excellency the President has appointed a commission entrusted with the task of primarily identifying the root causes that led to the failure of the ceasefire agreement entered into in 2002 and also identify the person or persons or groups responsible for its breakdown. Secondly, to identify lessons learned from our past experiences to ensure that such incidents will not occur again. Thirdly, and most importantly, to formulate propositions which will ensure national unity and reconciliation amongst all communties in Sri Lanka, in order to usher in an era of peace and prosperity." 5. Cutaway of audience 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Name to be confirmed ++QUALITY AS INCOMING++ "He speaks of a letter that was written by the Prime Minister of Norway to LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) leader in December 2000 proposing (inaudible) which would lead to an understanding between the LTTE and the Government." 7. Wide of rooom DERANA TV - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA FILE: Nanthikadal Lagoon, Mullativu district - 25 April 2009 8. Various of displaced people disembarking from boat, being helped by soldiers DERANA TV - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA FILE: Puthumathalan, Mullativu district - 25 April 2009 9. Various of Sri Lankan troops watching as people displaced by the conflict are helped off boat 10. Mid of elderly man supporting bandaged boy 11. Army officers discussing next rescue mission ITN SRI LANKA - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA FILE: Puthumathalan, Mullativu - 25 April 2009 12. Various of Sri Lankan soldiers giving medical assistance to evacuees DERANA TV - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA FILE: Puthumathalan, Mullativu district - 25 April 2009 13. Various of crowd of civilians sitting on sand, children eating 14. Sri Lankan troops defusing land mines on beach, AUDIO: explosion 15. Various of large group of displaced people sitting on ground STORYLINE A government-appointed commission looking into Sri Lanka's civil war began public hearings on Wednesday amid international scepticism about its credibility as it has no mandate to investigate allegations that thousands of civilians died in the final months of the conflict. The United Nations says at least 7,000 civilians were killed in the last five months before the war ended in May 2009 when government forces finally crushed ethnic Tamil rebels who had been fighting for an independent state for a quarter-century. The rebels had claimed marginalisation of minority Tamils by ethnic Sinhalese-controlled governments. President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed the commission in May, a year after the end of the war, to determine why a Norway-brokered cease-fire signed by the government and Tamil Tigers in 2002 collapsed and who was responsible. Human rights groups say the commission is aimed at deflecting calls for an international probe of alleged war crimes, including government shelling of civilians and other issues. In June, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed a three-member panel to advise him on ensuring accountability for the alleged abuses during the war. Sri Lanka has refused to cooperate with the panel or issue visas for its members, saying an external panel is an infringement of the country's sovereignty. Commission Chairman C.R. de Silva said in his opening remarks on Wednesday that the time had come to "consolidate the military victory by addressing the root causes of the conflict and establish national unity and reconciliation." The commission began its hearings with presentations by the former Sri Lankan ambassador to the US, Bernard Gunatillake, and a former government peace negotiator with the Tigers. Gunatillake said that the Tigers were not sincere in peace talks that followed the 2002 cease-fire and were buying time for another war. The government has accused the rebels of having used the truce to smuggle in weapons, including a set of small airplanes, by sea, and to build berms and other defences around their stronghold in the north of the island. Gunatillake called for the immediate resettlement of tens of thousands of war-displaced civilians still living in camps and the return of private land and houses occupied by the army as important steps for long-term peace. Hearings also will be conducted in ethnic Tamil areas to allow people there to air their grievances, de Silva said. The hearings will be held in public except when witnesses ask for a closed session or when sensitive security details are discussed, he said. In addition to accusations of indiscriminate shelling, rights groups have also accused government forces of having blocked access to food and medicine for minority Tamil civilians trapped in the war. The rebels have been accused of holding civilians as human shields, killing those trying to escape the violence and forcibly recruiting children as fighters. The International Crisis Group think tank said in a report early this year that at least 30-thousand civilians could have died in the last phase of the war. It said it calculated the figure by comparing the original population of the war zone with the number who escaped the fighting. On Tuesday, a group of 57 US lawmakers wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urging her to push for an international investigation of war crimes allegedly committed by Sri Lankan government forces and the Tamil Tigers. The lawmakers said the Sri Lankan commission had a narrow scope and no mandate to investigate abuses. Clients are reminded: (i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: infoaparchive.com (ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service (iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory. APTN APEX 08-11-10 1935EDT

<p><b>--SUPERS</b>--</p>\n<p>:00 </p>\n<p>Christiane Amanpour</p>\n<p>London</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>:26</p>\n<p>Queen Rania Al Abdullah</p>\n<p>Jordan</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--LEAD IN</b>--</p>\n<p>IN JORDAN, MORE THAN FIFTY PER CENT OF THE POPULATION IS PALESTINIAN OR FROM PALESTINIAN DESCENT. </p>\n<p>QUEEN RANIA AL ABDULLAH OF JORDAN IS ONE OF THEM - BORN IN KUWAIT TO PALESTINIAN PARENTS. </p>\n<p>SHE JOINED CNN'S CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR FOR HER FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE THE CONFLICT BROKE OUT ON 7TH OCTOBER. </p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS</b>--</p>\n<p>Christiane Amanpour, London: The Israelis are shocked to their core, the grief, you know, what happened to them has never happened in that way since the Holocaust, and they are shaken to their core, as I said, and the grief. I just want to get from you what you felt on October 7th. </p>\n<p>Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Jordan: Well, of course, I was shocked and, you know, Jordan has made his position very clear. We condemn the killing of any civilian, whether Palestinian or Israeli. That is Jordan's ethical and moral position. And it's also the position of Islam. Islam condemns the killing of civilians. As my husband mentioned recently, the Pact of Omar which was issued in the gates of Jerusalem 15 centuries ago, that's 1,000 years before the Geneva Conventions, orders Muslims not to hurt, not to kill a woman, child or elderly person and not to destroy a tree or hurt a priest. And so, this is what we believe are the rules of engagement at time of war. But they need to apply to everybody. So, yes, there was the shock and there is the condemnation but why isn't there equal condemnation to what is happening now? I just want to emphasize that what happened… this conflict did not begin on October 7th. Although it has been being portrayed as that, you know, most networks are covering the story under the title of Israel at War. But for many Palestinians on the other side of the separation wall, on the other side of the barbed wire war has never left. This is a 75-year-old story, a story of overwhelming death and displacement to the Palestinian people. It is a story of an occupation under an apartheid regime that occupies land, that demolishes houses, confiscates land, military incursions, night raids. You know, the context of a nuclear armed regional superpower that occupies, oppresses and commits daily documented crimes against Palestinians is missing from the narrative. </p>\n<p>Christiane Amanpour, London: Queen Rania? </p>\n<p>Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Jordan: You know, for too long Palestinians live…</p>\n<p>Christiane Amanpour, London: I'm sorry to interrupt you. I want to ask you a specific question because you're using a lot of words which clearly many in your, you know, in the Arab world have used words like apartheid and the rest. But you know that you are going to come under a lot of criticism from Israel and its supporters. And I'm wondering whether you're coming out to speak.</p>\n<p>Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Jordan: Let me… but let me just emphasize that apartheid is a designation that was given not by Arabs but by Israeli and International Human rights organizations. </p>\n<p>Christiane Amanpour, London: You wrote in an Instagram story just in the last week. It isn't self-defense if you're an occupying force and you show the destruction of Gaza and you have posted a video of yourself from a presser in 2009 during that war saying it is heartbreaking to see how little has changed. The world cannot remain silent. This has to stop. Do you feel that you have a particular voice? You know, as queen of Jordan in a country that has a peace treaty with Israel, to speak up. </p>\n<p>Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Jordan: It's not about me, it's about speaking up for humanity. You know, this is not about, you know, being pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian. This is about choosing the people, the everyday people on both sides. And you know, and explaining again that the Palestinian people have for too long been living under oppression and dehumanization. You know, they suffer daily indignities and human rights violations, whether they're being jailed or humiliated or harassed, they do not have freedom of movement. There are over 500 checkpoints scattered all over the West Bank. You have a separation wall which is deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice that has separated the territories into 200 disconnected enclaves. And you know, you've seen the aggressive expansion of settlements on Palestinian land and those have interrupted the territorial contiguity of the territories and has deemed an autonomous, independent Palestinian state not viable. So, you are seeing all these. This is the background of this conflict. There is a hyper fixation on Hamas now because of that happened the last couple of weeks. But this is a problem that far precedes Hamas and will continue after Hamas. This is a fight for freedom and for justice.</p>\n<p><b>-----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--KEYWORD TAGS--</b></p>\n<p>JORDAN QUEEN RANIA GAZA ISRAEL PALESTINE </p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--MUSIC INFO---</b></p>\n<p></p>

AP-APTN-1830: Sri Lanka Commission Wednesday, 11 August 2010 STORY:Sri Lanka Commission- REPLAY Sri Lankan govt-appointed commission begins war hearings LENGTH: 03:12 FIRST RUN: 1730 RESTRICTIONS: Pt No Access Sri Lanka TYPE: Eng/Natsound SOURCE: VARIOUS STORY NUMBER: 654009 DATELINE: Colombo - 11 Aug 2010/File LENGTH: 03:12 AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY DERANA TV - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA ITN SRI LANKA - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA ++QUALITY AS INCOMING++ ++PRELIMINARY SCRIPT++ SHOTLIST AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY Colombo - 11 August 2010 1. Wide of government-appointed commission looking into Sri Lanka's civil war 2. SOUNDBITE (English) C.R. de Silva, Commission Chairman: "People of our country have gone through the traumatic nightmare of 30 years of war which ravaged our motherland. It is just one year back, our military forces were able to vanquish the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world. Time has now come to consolidate the military victory by addressing the root causes of the conflict and to establish national unity and reconciliation." 3. Cutaway of audience 4. SOUNDBITE (English) C.R. de Silva, Commission Chairman: "His Excellency the President has appointed a commission entrusted with the task of primarily identifying the root causes that led to the failure of the ceasefire agreement entered into in 2002 and also identify the person or persons or groups responsible for its breakdown. Secondly, to identify lessons learned from our past experiences to ensure that such incidents will not occur again. Thirdly, and most importantly, to formulate propositions which will ensure national unity and reconciliation amongst all communties in Sri Lanka, in order to usher in an era of peace and prosperity." 5. Cutaway of audience 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Name to be confirmed ++QUALITY AS INCOMING++ "He speaks of a letter that was written by the Prime Minister of Norway to LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) leader in December 2000 proposing (inaudible) which would lead to an understanding between the LTTE and the Government." 7. Wide of rooom DERANA TV - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA FILE: Nanthikadal Lagoon, Mullativu district - 25 April 2009 8. Various of displaced people disembarking from boat, being helped by soldiers DERANA TV - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA FILE: Puthumathalan, Mullativu district - 25 April 2009 9. Various of Sri Lankan troops watching as people displaced by the conflict are helped off boat 10. Mid of elderly man supporting bandaged boy 11. Army officers discussing next rescue mission ITN SRI LANKA - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA FILE: Puthumathalan, Mullativu - 25 April 2009 12. Various of Sri Lankan soldiers giving medical assistance to evacuees DERANA TV - NO ACCESS SRI LANKA FILE: Puthumathalan, Mullativu district - 25 April 2009 13. Various of crowd of civilians sitting on sand, children eating 14. Sri Lankan troops defusing land mines on beach, AUDIO: explosion 15. Various of large group of displaced people sitting on ground STORYLINE A government-appointed commission looking into Sri Lanka's civil war began public hearings on Wednesday amid international scepticism about its credibility as it has no mandate to investigate allegations that thousands of civilians died in the final months of the conflict. The United Nations says at least 7,000 civilians were killed in the last five months before the war ended in May 2009 when government forces finally crushed ethnic Tamil rebels who had been fighting for an independent state for a quarter-century. The rebels had claimed marginalisation of minority Tamils by ethnic Sinhalese-controlled governments. President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed the commission in May, a year after the end of the war, to determine why a Norway-brokered cease-fire signed by the government and Tamil Tigers in 2002 collapsed and who was responsible. Human rights groups say the commission is aimed at deflecting calls for an international probe of alleged war crimes, including government shelling of civilians and other issues. In June, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed a three-member panel to advise him on ensuring accountability for the alleged abuses during the war. Sri Lanka has refused to cooperate with the panel or issue visas for its members, saying an external panel is an infringement of the country's sovereignty. Commission Chairman C.R. de Silva said in his opening remarks on Wednesday that the time had come to "consolidate the military victory by addressing the root causes of the conflict and establish national unity and reconciliation." The commission began its hearings with presentations by the former Sri Lankan ambassador to the US, Bernard Gunatillake, and a former government peace negotiator with the Tigers. Gunatillake said that the Tigers were not sincere in peace talks that followed the 2002 cease-fire and were buying time for another war. The government has accused the rebels of having used the truce to smuggle in weapons, including a set of small airplanes, by sea, and to build berms and other defences around their stronghold in the north of the island. Gunatillake called for the immediate resettlement of tens of thousands of war-displaced civilians still living in camps and the return of private land and houses occupied by the army as important steps for long-term peace. Hearings also will be conducted in ethnic Tamil areas to allow people there to air their grievances, de Silva said. The hearings will be held in public except when witnesses ask for a closed session or when sensitive security details are discussed, he said. In addition to accusations of indiscriminate shelling, rights groups have also accused government forces of having blocked access to food and medicine for minority Tamil civilians trapped in the war. The rebels have been accused of holding civilians as human shields, killing those trying to escape the violence and forcibly recruiting children as fighters. The International Crisis Group think tank said in a report early this year that at least 30-thousand civilians could have died in the last phase of the war. It said it calculated the figure by comparing the original population of the war zone with the number who escaped the fighting. On Tuesday, a group of 57 US lawmakers wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urging her to push for an international investigation of war crimes allegedly committed by Sri Lankan government forces and the Tamil Tigers. The lawmakers said the Sri Lankan commission had a narrow scope and no mandate to investigate abuses. Clients are reminded: (i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: infoaparchive.com (ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service (iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory. APTN APEX 08-11-10 1506EDT

NAME: MEA DRONES 20091226I TAPE: EF09/1205 IN_TIME: 10:55:51:12 DURATION: 00:03:43:23 SOURCES: AP TELEVISION/IDF HANDOUT DATELINE: Various - Recent/File RESTRICTIONS: SHOTLIST ++PLEASE NOTE: THE FILE IMAGES OF ISRAELI ATTACKS ON GAZA ARE NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS STORY''S SUBJECT LINE++ AP TELEVISION Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel, 22 November 2009 1. Wide of Israeli drone near hangar AP TELEVISION FILE: Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel, 8 March 2007 2. Drone taking off AP TELEVISION Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel, 22 November 2009 3. Mid of trailer 4. Pan right from drone operator, Second Lieutenant Bar, to joystick 5. Focus shift from Israeli flag on jacket to joystick AP TELEVISION FILE: Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel, 8 March 2007 6. Pull out of control room AP TELEVISION Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel, 22 November 2009 7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Second Lieutenant Bar, Last name omitted in line with Israeli military guidelines, Drone operator: ++shot from behind++ "It''s not a game at all. It''s very serious. There is... everything in the army is involved with UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). I don''t think there is something in the ground force or the air force that goes out without a UAV that follows them." AP TELEVISION FILE: Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel, 8 March 2007 8. Israeli drone in the air circling IDF HANDOUT FILE: Gaza Strip, 27 December 2008 ++FOOTAGE IS MUTE++ 9. Footage filmed by drone of Israeli attack on building where rockets were allegedly stored AP TELEVISION FILE: Gaza City, Gaza Strip, 28 December 2008 10. Tracking shot of explosion from Israeli airstrike during Israel''s Gaza offensive 11. Scene after explosion from Israeli airstrike, fire engine, people running AUDIO alarm AP TELEVISION FILE: Gaza City, Gaza Strip, January 2009 12. Injured women, men and children fleeing scene of attack from Israeli airstrike AP TELEVISION FILE: Gaza City, Gaza Strip, January 2009 13. People running after Israeli airstrike, pan to smoke rising 14. Funeral procession for child killed in Gaza war AP TELEVISION Gaza City, Gaza Strip, 21 December 2009 15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Issam Younis, Head of the Gaza-based human rights group Mezan: "The killer is there every minute in the sky of Gaza. This has also resulted in a state of fear amongst the community, especially children who live in panic. The drones have interfered in the daily life of Palestinians." AP TELEVISION FILE: Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel, 8 March 2007 16. Tilt up from soldier to drone AP TELEVISION FILE: Gaza City, Gaza Strip, January 2009 17. Wide of Israeli airstrike on Gaza City, zoom in, AUDIO: explosion AP TELEVISION Tel Aviv, Israel, 21 December 2009 18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shlomo Brom, former Israeli general and a security expert at the Institute for National Security Studies: "The results could have been much worse without the use of RPVs (Remotely Piloted Vehicle) that enabled the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) to acquire real-time intelligence and to be capable of making... of differentiating in many cases between the fighting forces of Hamas and the civilians." IDF HANDOUT FILE: Southern Lebanon, 14 October 2009 ++FOOTAGE IS MUTE++ 19. Footage filmed by Israeli drone that allegedly shows rockets being removed from warehouse AP TELEVISION Palmachim Air Force Base, Israel, 22 November 2009 20. Wide of pilots inspecting plane 21. Wide of military official in trailer 22. Wide of drone being moved into hangar STORYLINE Israel''s drones are an important tool in its war against Palestinian militants, military officials say, just as Palestinians see the unmanned plane as an ever-present menace. One of Israel''s most essential and controversial weapons is operated from a nondescript beige trailer topped with antennae only a short distance away from Tel Aviv - but it is a top-secret nerve centre operating Israel''s force of unmanned airplanes. One year after Israel''s devastating assault on Gaza, the Associated Press was given a rare glimpse into the arcane control room where drone operators track targets and assist ground forces, putting Israel at the forefront of this remote-controlled technology. The soldiers behind the changing face of Israel''s warfare sit removed from the battlefield, in a room that could be mistaken for a very expensive video arcade. Second Lieutenant Bar, whose last name has been omitted in line with military guidelines, is part of an elite group of Israeli soldiers in a unit that operates drones. At work, the 21-year-old plants herself in front of an array of screens, fastens a set of earphones around her head and secures her hand around a joystick. But Bar insists: "It''s not a game at all. It''s very serious." Seeking to keep its enemies in the dark, Israel says little about its drone programme. It refuses to confirm accounts from Palestinian witnesses and other observers that drones are used in deadly airstrikes, admitting only that they are used for surveillance. Second Lieutenant Bar and her colleagues station themselves in front of their computer screens and equipment 60 kilometres from the streets and sandy dunes of Gaza where the last war was mounted. The use of drones was essential to that war, which Israel dubbed Operation Cast Lead. About 1,400 Gazans were killed, more than half of them civilians including women and children - according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights researchers - in the massive Israeli aerial bombardment that opened the campaign and in the subsequent ground warfare. One group, Human Rights Watch, charged that Israeli drone pilots had fired before making sure their targets were actual threats at least six times during the Gaza war, firing missiles that killed at least 29 civilians. Israel rejected the accusations. During a mission, drone operators work in tandem with forces on the ground, warning them of obstacles in their way and pointing out enemy positions as they advance. The drone pilots watch the operation unfold on their monitors. "Everything in the army is involved with UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)," says Second Lieutenant Bar. "I don''t think there is something in the ground force or the air force that goes out without a UAV that follows them." Israel''s was the first military to make widespread use of drones in its 1982 Lebanon invasion, according to Mark Daly, an expert on drones at Jane''s defence publications. The use of drones in conjunction with ground and air forces was seen as crucial to the Gaza conflict of 2008 because they allowed soldiers to have eyes in the air, keeping watch over nearby roofs and alleyways. Though it is assumed by outside observers that Israel''s drones have attack capability, the military will not comment on whether that is true. The accuracy of drone surveillance and intelligence-gathering abilities has been challenged in past missions. The Israeli military said a video filmed by an unmanned drone in southern Lebanon in October showed Hezbollah militants scampering to retrieve rockets from the site of an explosion. Hezbollah said what appeared to be rockets was debris from the blast. In harsher accusations, international and Palestinian human rights groups have accused and lambasted Israel for using drones in strikes that killed civilians in Gaza. Drones also interfere with daily life of Palestinians, charges Issam Younis, the head of Mezan, a Gaza-based human rights group. "The killer is there every minute in the sky of Gaza," said Younis. "This has also resulted in a state of fear amongst the community, especially children who live in panic." The planes can remain in the air for up to 40 hours - that''s their most important asset. With no tired pilot to ground, the operators rotate while the drone remains in the air. Only one drone was downed during the war, according to a lieutenant, who operates takeoffs and landings, and it was felled accidentally by Israeli helicopter fire. While recognising the high civilian casualties wrought by the war, military analyst Shlomo Brom said the contribution of unmanned planes to Israel''s achievements in Gaza were "enormous." Drones "enabled the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to acquire real-time intelligence and to be capable of differentiating in many cases between the fighting forces of Hamas and the civilians," said Brom, a former Israeli general and a security expert at the Institute for National Security Studies. Even after the Gaza fighting, Israel continues to rely on drones for its security. Second Lieutenant Bar says she has participated in missions where drones identify Gazan rocket launchers, alerting a fighter plane to their location. Most recently, a new military plan calls for the deployment of unmanned spy drones to photograph illegal construction in West Bank settlements to enforce a 10-month construction slowdown.