African- American religious leaders brief on trip to Iraq

(11 Mar 2003)

1. Wide view of news conference
2. Cutaway reporters
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rev. Herbert Daughtry, pastor:
"So Mr President even if there is an indication that President Saddam Hussein has not completely, can't completely comply with the UN resolution, wouldn't containment be better than war? It has worked before, it can work again."
4. Wide view as Shaker El Sayed walks to microphone
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Imam Shaker El Sayed, Secretary General, Muslim American Society:
"The stories of the Bush administration about weapons of mass destruction, cooperation and lack thereof are not met with anything in Iraq but disbelief and dismay. Nobody is buying our story. Our trip confirmed our prior belief that this war will definitely lead to the increase in anti-American sentiments and eventually more terrorist attacks against the United States, besides the incalculable sufferings and miseries of the Iraqi people. We've heard the fears of the disintegration of the Iraqi nation, the division, the tribalism and the serious potential of an eventual civil war similar to that of Afghanistan. People are scared."
6. Cutaway cameramen
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Imam Shaker El Sayed, Secretary General, Muslim American Society:
"We met some students who came running to our car - are you among the American delegation, they asked. We said yes. They said can I tell you something to take to Mr Bush? We said yes. They said can you tell him not to bomb our house. I hope that the President heeds a child's request."
8. Cutaway reporter
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ron Daniels, Executive Director, Center for Constitutional Rights:
"Increasingly it seems to me the American people are seeing through the hypocrisy, the contradiction and are asking themselves resoundingly, why is this war necessary. What is it that is so dangerous about Iraq at this juncture that dictates and necessitates that there be a dropping of 3,000 bombs in the first 48 hours in shock and awe war that is being prosecuted. And I think that more and more people are coming to the conclusion that absence strong embracement from the United Nations, that they are not prepared to go on this misadventure."
10. Close-up of Daughtry and El Sayed

STORYLINE:

Seven African American leaders of different faiths have returned from a six-day peace mission to Baghdad, urging the Bush Administration to accept containment of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and to work with the United Nations to solve the international crisis.

The delegation toured schools, hospitals and met with local religious leaders in Baghdad.

A change in schedule meant they were unable to meet Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

One member of their group, former Congressman Walter Fauntroy, remained in Baghdad in an attempt to hold talks with the Iraqi leader. Fauntroy is due to return to the U-S on Wednesday.

The Rev. Herbert Daughtry, pastor of The House of the Lord Pentecostal Churches in Brooklyn, said that everywhere the delegation went they were told the Iraqi people told them they wanted peace.

Speaking in Washington at a news conference Monday, Reverend Daughtry appealed for the Bush administration to continue to use containment and to give U-N weapons inspectors more time.

The Secretary General of the Muslim American Society, Imam Shaker El Sayed said that after discussions with ordinary Iraqis he was convinced a war would lead to increased anti-American sentiments. El Sayed also said that many Iraqis are fearful of what would happen to their country in the aftermath of war.



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