Terror in Baghdad: Higher Risks
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Violence like the bombing of the u.n. headquarters in Iraq has put humanitarian aid organizations on edge. So how are organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross changing their operations? Nada Doumani is the spokeswoman for the Red Cross, she joins us from Baghdad this morning. Good morning to you, Mrs. Doumani, thanks for joining us. A spokesperson for the Red Cross said that there was credible knowledge that the Red Cross might be a target of an attack. Can you be any more specific about that? Where are these threats potentially coming from, exactly what was the wording of the threat?</s>NADA DOUMANI, INTL. CMTE. OF RED CROSS: Well, in fact, these were not threats, these were warnings from different sources that we have to take into consideration, and very seriously saying that we may be the object or the target of a potential future attack, and given the highly volatile environment in which we're living here in Baghdad and in the area, around Baghdad, around the Iraqi capital, we have to take them into consideration, and as you know, there have been recent tragic incidents, be it the attack on the U.N. compound, on the Jordanian embassy, or even one of Al Khalid, who has been killed on the 22nd of July.</s>O'BRIEN: Do you think that the Red Cross is more at risk than other humanitarian nongovernmental organizations?</s>DOUMANI: Well, I don't know exactly. Of course, we are an international organization and we have been a major humanitarian player here in Iraq since 23 years. I cannot comment on what other NGOs do feel, but we have received, as you mentioned, information directed to us specifically.</s>O'BRIEN: How much does the Red Cross plan to scale back operations?</s>DOUMANI: This is what we are trying to work out nowadays. I mean, what we are -- we really stand committed, and we firmly want to stay in Iraq and continue the essential services for the Iraqis. So we are trying to work out how we can do that with a limited number of personnel in order to reduce the risks.</s>O'BRIEN: How many Red Cross workers are there in Iraq today, and give me a sense of how difficult it will be for some of your workers who are very committed to what they're doing in Iraq to have to pull out and leave.</s>DOUMANI: It's very difficult, as you mentioned. It was very difficult for the management of the ICRC. As you know, the ICRC is supposed to be in conflict areas, that's why we've decided to stay. We've been here during the latest war, throughout the latest war, so we're staying with a team sufficient to continue, as I said, the basic services. For those who have left, it was heartbreaking decision. It's very distressing to leave a country, to leave some people when you know your services or your presence is useful. But I'm sure, I'm confident that this will be a temporary measure, and that we who are staying here in Baghdad, we will continue our operations. At least for some of them, they will be in standby, but essential ones, like the visits to detainees will continue.</s>O'BRIEN: Nada Doumani is a spokeswoman for the Red Cross. Thank you for joining us. Appreciate your time.