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| Middle East |
| American reporter covering West Bank conflict is shot |
| 2002-04-01 |
Shadid, who is in his early 30s, was conscious and in stable condition in a private Arab hospital in Ramallah, Smith said. The bullet was lodged in the shoulder. Globe officials were talking with Shadid's family members about the best course of action and how to get him out of the West Bank. Large numbers of Israeli troops control the empty streets in the area where Shadid was shot, though it was not clear who shot him. The army said it was investigating. Israeli officials, meanwhile, warned that the city was a closed military zone and journalists should not be in it. The city was declared a closed zone on Friday, but this was enforced only sporadically, and journalists and other foreigners were able to get in as late as Sunday morning. However, officials had been complaining that the reporters are getting in the way. "No foreign citizens (including members of the media) are allowed to be in the closed zone," said a statement issued by the Government Press Office. "Anyone found in the closed zone henceforth will be removed. Members of the media are advised that their presence in the closed zone is at their own risk." The Foreign Press Association in Israel issued a protest saying that "the media must be allowed to cover this major story. We call upon the Israeli government to allow free and independent coverage of the operation in Palestinian Authority areas. What part of "stay the hell out of the line of fire" don't you understand? Bernard Fall, Ernie Pyle and Dickie Chapelle are looking down and rolling their eyes. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |