Red Cross: Vital to stay in Iraq
 |
The Red Cross says it still has important work to do despite Monday's attack.
Story Tools
VIDEO
|
Red Cross spokeswoman Nada Doumani says she can't understand why the Red Cross office was targeted.
Brig. Gen. Mark Hertling says the Red Cross blast was caused by a suicide bomber.
|
|
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) -- The Red Cross said on Monday it was vital to stay in Iraq despite a suicide attack at its building in Baghdad that killed at least 10 people.
"We believe we have to stay here because we do have an important job to do here for the Iraqis," spokeswoman Nada Doumani told reporters.
"I hope Iraqis won't have to pay the price for such individual horrible acts."
A military official said it appeared the bombers had used a vehicle with Red Cross or Red Crescent markings. An ICRC official said at least 15 were wounded.
Doumani said the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had been working in Iraq since 1980 and was involved in visiting detainees, monitoring compliance with the Geneva Convention and other humanitarian work.
"It is impossible for me to understand the aim of such an action. I am afraid that most of the wounded are Iraqis," Doumani told Al Arabiya television.
"We only have a few foreigners here as we rely on our Iraqi brethren. This is a hideous act, a reprehensible act against the ICRC.
"Without a doubt what happened today will affect any decision on what our future role here will be," she said.
Copyright 2003
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
