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American flag raised { March 21 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://commondreams.org/headlines03/0321-01.htm http://commondreams.org/headlines03/0321-01.htm Published on Friday, March 21, 2003 by Reuters Marines Raise U.S. Flag Over Iraqi Port by Adrian Croft UMM QASR, Iraq - U.S. Marines briefly raised the Stars and Stripes flag over the new port area of Umm Qasr on Friday after facing tougher than expected resistance in and around the southern Iraq port. Reuters correspondent Adrian Croft, traveling with the Marines, saw troops lower an Iraqi flag soon after they arrived at the port complex, replacing it with the U.S. flag. Some time later, Marines returned and removed the Stars and Stripes. No reason was given for the decision, but Washington has consistently stressed that invading U.S. forces want to liberate Iraq, not occupy it. U.S. troops moved into the huge port area to hunt for Iraqi soldiers who might be hidden in the site. A dozen Marine helicopters landed on a massive parking lot inside the perimeter fence to bring in reinforcements. "The (new) port is about 40 percent secure. There is still shooting going on," said Marine Captain Rick Crevier from Placerville, California, one of the operation's commanders. He added the old port, one mile away, was still under observation. U.S. Marines poured over the Kuwaiti border just after dawn heading for Umm Qasr, but were almost immediately pinned down in a two-hour firefight with Iraqi soldiers armed with machineguns and anti-tank rockets. The Marines called in tanks and artillery fire to clear their path. STIFF RESISTANCE Asked if the resistance was stiffer than expected, Crevier said: "Yes, a lot more. We had some dug in troops and we were starting to receive some mortar fire." He added one Marine was slightly injured by broken glass. He had no information about Iraqi casualties, but the bodies of two men in civilian clothes were seen lying in the streets as a U.S. armored convoy moved to the port area. A third man sat in the road bleeding heavily. Nearby, two cars were ablaze. U.S. commanders said they were keen to secure Umm Qasr, Iraq's largest commercial port, because they wanted to use it to bring in humanitarian aid. When Marines arrived at the port they were met by a huge portrait of Saddam Hussein, showing a younger version of the Iraqi President wearing a Western suit, which was hung next to the main entrance. Hours later, the picture had been cut out of its frame and spirited away, allegedly by a Marine looking for a war trophy. Copyright 2003 Reuters Ltd

baghdad-bombing beginning-war celebration colateral-damage friendly-fire grenade-soldier iraq-downfall jessica-lynch media missile-mishaps northern other-cities south-advance us-casualties US-POWs warplan 75 billion not even close { April 4 2003 } Alqaeda fighting with iraqis { March 28 2003 } American flag raised { March 21 2003 } American idol might leave { March 26 2003 } Australians support war now { March 25 2003 } Back code yellow Bosnia iraq arms scandal { April 3 2003 } British officer punched kicked prisoners Bush budget doesnt add up { March 25 2003 } Bush has solid support Bush mental breakdown Buying tribes from saddam Buying tribes { April 3 2003 } Cheneys daughters not human shields { March 26 2003 } Demands russia cease iraq aid Dirty war cuts both ways { March 2003 } Dolphins clear landmines Dolphins enlisted locate mines { March 26 2003 } Fbi questions us iraqis German intelligence gave US iraqi defense plan { February 27 2006 } Intentially destroy water supplies Iraq accuses israel Iraqi city water shortage { March 24 2003 } Iraqi deserter desperate days Iraqi plots to kill americans { March 29 2003 } Israel obligated to defend { March 16 2003 } Jail of evil Marines avenge blood executed gis { March 25 2003 } Marines dropped devices similar to napalm Marines line up iran border Missile hits kuwait Monster saddam now hero Navy dolpins awol { March 29 2003 } Officials confirm dropping firebombs { August 5 2003 } Officials defiant { March 23 2003 } Phoenix power plant threat { March 20 2003 } Pows guantamo bay { April 1 2003 } Reports moab used Rumsfeld tough days ahead { March 23 2003 } Russia provided iraq intelligence Saddam vows to fight { March 18 2003 } Saddam warns of world war Saudis help with cheap oil and air bases { April 25 2004 } Seize airports Senate slashes bush tax cut { March 26 2003 } Soldiers pray pamphlets Us admits used napalm bombs Us capture chemical plant Us leaves british with oilfields { March 21 2003 } Using du illegal Weather forecast secrets { March 25 2003 } Whats next korea iran { April 3 2003 } Files Listed: 52

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