World News Review 2003

Sound: Nat Sot

IRAQ

PRE-WAR

10:00:30

Despite the pressure being applied by the international community for Iraq to disarm, President Saddam Hussein remained defiant. At a meeting with commanders of the Al-Quds volunteer army in January, Saddam warned any invaders they would face formidable opposition.

Iraqi TV

8.1.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Mid shot Saddam Hussein's son, Qusay Hussein, head of the Republican Guard, sitting with military commanders

Zoom in to Saddam Hussein addressing commanders

Saddam's son Qusay listening

Saddam Hussein speaking (smoking cigar)

10:00:50

The discovery of 11 undeclared but empty chemical warheads at an ammunition depot south of Baghdad led to debate as to whether this constituted a breach under U.N. Resolution 1441. The U.S. saw the discovery as further evidence supporting their case for war. But the Iraqis claimed they had declared the warheads in an earlier report to the U.N.

A war of words developed between Washington and Baghdad - both sides refusing to back down in the standoff.

Iraqi Government Video

16.1.03 - Ukhaydir depot, Iraq

Close up pan of warhead still in protective wrapping

Various of inspectors taking a closer look at an artillery shell

UN inspector screws open the nose cone of the shell and looks inside

10:01:07

APTN

21/1/03 - Washington DC, USA

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"He's been told to disarm for eleven long years. He's not disarming. This business about more time - how much time do we need to know that he's not disarming? As I said, this looks like a rerun of a bad movie and I'm not interested in watching it."

10:01:26

Iraqi Youth TV

23.1.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Uday Hussein, son of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein

"If they used air strikes against us, then what happened on September 11th, it will look like a joke. They will know the real price they are going to pay."

10:01:52

U.S. Marines patrolling the Persian Gulf as part of the Amphibious Ready Group remained on standby, ready for the call to go into combat. Some had already been away from home for five months.

POOL

27/28.1.03 - Onboard U.S.S. Nassau

Harrier takes off

Ch 46 Helicopter

27/28.1.03 - Onboard U.S.S. Tortuga

Hovercraft exits

Hovercraft at sea

27/28.1.03 - Onboard U.S.S. Nassau

Dusk deck

27/28.1.03 - Onboard U.S.S. Tortuga

Ship at sea

Navigator on bridge

Sailor checks settings

Marines

10:02:40

While calling for international support and a second U.N. Security Council resolution, British Prime Minister Tony Blair made clear time was running out for Saddam Hussein to comply with weapons inspectors. After a Washington meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, Blair said matters would come to a head within weeks, not months.

POOL

31.1.03 - Washington DC, USA

SOUNDBITE: (English) Tony Blair, British Prime Minister

"The original resolution 1441 we made it clear that failure to disarm would lead to serious consequences."

10:02:51

In a show of military might, Iraqi soldiers marched through the streets of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, commemorating the graduation day for recruits of the Al-Quds Army Training Facility. It served as a clear demonstration of the force an invading army would have to encounter. Looking on were Saddam Hussein and his sons Uday and Qusay.

APTN

4.2.03 - Mosul, Iraq

Wide shot of thousands of soldiers marching

Militia marching

Special forces running in parade

Vice Chairman Revolutionary Command Council Izzat Ibrahim saluting

Soldiers dressed up as suicide bombers marching

10:03:15

Iraqi TV

4.2.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Saddam Hussein with son Qusay (seated to his right in tan suit)

Close up Uday Hussein

Saddam smiling and smoking his cigar

Pullout from Uday to Saddam

Qusay with aide

10:03:38

Perhaps in another effort to sway international opinion, foreign journalists were invited to visit a missile factory outside Baghdad that had recently been searched by U.N. weapons inspectors. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell had claimed the Fath missiles based there exceeded the 150-kilometre range limit set out by U.N. resolution 687. Iraqi authorities denied the allegation.

APTN

7.2.03 - El Mutasim - 70 km (45 miles) south west of Baghdad

Missile on tail fin

Pan over missile

10:03:51

UN inspection teams visited the Al-Muthanna factory, which had once been Iraq's main chemical weapons research and production facility. There they encountered a number of mustard-filled shells. Nothing new about the discovery though - they'd previously been inventoried by weapons inspectors in 1998.

APTN

13.2.03 - Al-Muthanna Missile and Chemical Facility, 70 kilometres northwest of Baghdad

Various of barrels of chemicals

Wide of barrels (blue) containing mustard gas

Wide barrels and canisters where mustard gas was destroyed

10:04:02

Relations between key members of the U.N. Security Council became increasingly strained. While the U.S. and Britain sought support for a second resolution allowing military intervention, a stalemate was reached when the French President Jacques Chirac said his government would veto military action. Hopes of achieving a consensus became ever more remote.

APTN

18.2.03 - Washington DC, USA

Cutaway of Bush

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"We are working with our friends, as I said a second resolution (of the UN Security Council) would be useful, we don't need as second resolution. It's clear this guy couldn't even care less about the first resolution."

10:04:15

POOL

10.2.03 - Paris, France

SOUNDBITE: (French) Jacques Chirac, French President

Question: "What's your main position at the moment?"

Chirac: "No matter what circumstances we will vote 'no', because we consider, at this time, that there is no place for going to war to achieve the objective that we all want at the moment, that is the disarmament of Iraq."

10:04:33

POOL

11.3.03 - London, UK

SOUNDBITE: (English) Tony Blair, British Prime Minister

"If France or any other country is simply going to say we will veto, no matter what, that's obviously a very difficult situation."

10:04:45

At an emergency summit held in the Azores, the leaders of the U.S., Britain, Spain and Portugal issued a call for unity among members of the U.N. Security Council. Bush said the time of diplomacy was entering its "moment of truth".

But the anti-war nations led by France, Germany and Russia were not to back down. They maintained there was no justification for war while weapons inspectors were continuing their work in Iraq. If war were to come, it would be without the endorsement of the United Nations.

SIC/White House Pool

16.3.03 - Terceira, The Azores

US President George W. Bush, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Durao Barroso, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"We concluded that tomorrow is a moment of truth for the world. Many nations have voiced a commitment to peace and security and now they must demonstrate that commitment to peace and security in the only effective way, by supporting the immediate and unconditional disarmament of Saddam Hussein."

Leaders at podium

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

Reporter: "When you say tomorrow is the moment of truth does that mean that tomorrow's the last day that the resolution can be voted up or down and at the end of the day tomorrow one way or the other the diplomatic window has closed?"

Bush: "Yes, that's what I'm saying."

10:05:30

APTN

16.3.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Iraqi officials listening to Bush addresses at the Azores summit on TV at ministry of information

Close up of TV set

Cutaway of minders

10:05:41

On the 17th March, President Bush gave his final ultimatum to the Iraqi leadership - leave the country within 48 hours, or face war. To the Iraqi people he promised liberation.

POOL

17.3.03 - Washington DC, USA

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"All the decades of deceit and cruelty have now reached an end. Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict, commenced at a time of our choosing. For their own safety, all foreign nationals, including journalists and inspectors, should leave Iraq immediately."

Pull back view of reporter looking at TV monitor

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"If we must begin a military campaign, it will be directed against the lawless men who rule your country (Iraq) and not against you. As our coalition takes away their power, we will deliver the food and medicine you need. We will tear the apparatus of terror and we will help you to build a new Iraq that is prosperous and free. In a free Iraq, there will be no more wars of aggression against your neighbours, no more poison factories, no more executions of dissidents, no more torture chambers and rape rooms. The tyrant will soon be gone. The day of your liberation is near."

IRAQ

WAR

++BROADCASTERS PLEASE NOTE UNDER US/UK EMBEDDING RULES AND THE GENEVA CONVENTION THE FACES OF POWS SHOULD BE DISGUISED WHERE IDENTIFIABLE++

10:07:04

It was no longer a matter of if, but when the order to strike would come. Final preparations were being made among the British and American troops waiting across the border in Kuwait.

POOL

19.3.03 - Kuwait

Soldier in tank taking off goggles and mask

Line of vehicles

10:07:13

In Baghdad, people awaited with fear and trepidation the inevitable aerial bombardment.

APTN was aboard the U.S.S. Constellation in the Gulf and broadcast live pictures of the first take-offs of U.S. jets on bombing missions over Iraq.

APTN

19.3.03 - Kuwait

Various of soldier packing ammunition

Low shot underside of tank as it moves off

10:07:31

APTN

19.3.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shot of traffic on the streets of Baghdad

Various of men locking up shop fronts

Various of shops locked up

10.054

APTN

19.3.03 - Aboard U.S.S. Constellation in the Gulf

Vice Admiral Timothy J. Keating, U.S. Fifth Fleet commander walks on to stage, greets assembled troops with a victory gesture

Audience applauding

SOUNDBITE: (English) Vice Admiral Timothy J. Keating, U.S. Fifth Fleet commander

"Make no mistake, when the president says go, look out - it's hammer time - okay? It is hammer time."

10:08:11

In Washington, President Bush announced the start of hostilities.

Live pictures were already being broadcast by APTN showing the first wave of bombs landing on Baghdad. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein wasn't given the opportunity to finish his address to the nation - his broadcast on terrestrial Iraqi television was cut short by a U.S. bomb attack. Viewers on other Arab networks were able to see the whole message. In it Saddam claimed his forces would be victorious.

POOL

19.3.03 - Washington, DC, USA

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger."

10.08:34

US Navy

20.3.03 - Unknown location

Various of Tomahawk cruise missiles being launched from the USS Donal Cook

10.08:39

Iraqi TV

20.3.03 - Iraq

Graphic of Iraqi flag

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Saddam Hussein, President of Iraq

"Just before dawn on the 20.3.03 the aggression has started." (TV signal drops out)

Colour bars appear on screen

In the coming days, Baghdad was to experience a massive aerial bombardment. All part of the Pentagon's "shock and awe" campaign designed to bludgeon the Iraqi military into surrender. Saddam and his palaces were a key target for the onslaught. Despite using the latest guided missiles, U.S. bombs failed to take out the Iraqi leader - much to the satisfaction of his supporters.

APTN

20.3.03 - Baghdad

Pull out from girl looking at camera, girl and boys run, AUDIO siren

10:09:12

POOL

20.3.03 - Gulf

F-117 approaching to land

F-117 Landing and deploying drag chute

10:09:20

APTN

20.3.03 - Baghdad

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, Iraqi Information Minister

Question: "Was Saddam Hussein near any of those places?"

Al-Sahaf: "We said those villains, in particular the villain Bush, he said and the British Defence Minister, they said, the Pentagon said, they have striked Iraq with 40 cruises missiles in order to assassinate President Saddam Hussein. The natural answer came when his Excellency Saddam Hussein delivered his speech. So, not only they are disappointed, I think they are now hysterical."

10:09:55

In northern Iraq, Kurdish militiamen prepared to join in the fight against Iraqi troops within hours of the aerial strikes getting underway.

APTN

20.3.03 - Kalaq, northern Iraq

Militiamen looking through binoculars at Iraqi checkpoint in distance

Fighters standing with weapons

10:10:03

As the aerial bombardment on Iraqi targets continued, allied troops made their first incursions into Iraqi territory. It was not long before the first Iraqi troops began surrendering.

APTN

21.3.03 - Baghdad

Night vision footage missiles hitting Baghdad building, AUDIO of missile fire, large plumes of smoke coming from building

Explosion over Baghdad skyline

Explosion lights up skyline

Presidential palace on fire, black smoke pouring out

10:10:40

APTN

21.3.03 - northern Kuwait (near border with Iraq)

Various of 155 mm Howitzers firing shots into Iraq

Various British artillery troops preparing for action

Troops lying down, aiming guns

10:10:53

Iraqi TV

21.3.03 - southern Iraq

Iraqi man kneeling down and holding white flag in surrender, British soldier motions for him to walk forward, then to turn and kneel to be searched

British soldier searching surrendering Iraqi

Low shot of line of about ten Iraqis in civilian clothing walking with their hands on their heads

Iraqi man with white flag

Close shot British soldier holding rifle in foreground surrendering Iraqis walking in background

10:11:19

In the southern town of Safwan, U.S. Marines tore down giant street portraits of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, to the cheers of some local residents.

British commandos, meanwhile, were able to secure oilfields in the south, a priority during the early stages of the war for the coalition.

POOL

21.3.03 - Safwan, Iraq

U.S. marines driving in Safwan, zoom in to huge picture of Saddam Hussein on roadside

10:11:25

US Army and Airforce Hometown News Service

21.3.03 - Unknown location, the Gulf

Wide shot of Tornado taxiing

Close up Union Jack flag

Wide shot of fighter taking off

10:11:48

POOL

22.3.03 - southern Iraq

42 Commando Royal Marines firing wire-guided missile before they move in to secure oil fields

Marines looking through binoculars

Various of 42 Commando marines on sandbanks

10:12:02

An APTN crew aboard the U.S.S. John McCain had a near miss while filming the launch of Tomahawk missiles. They were nearly hit by a misfired missile that came within two metres of them before exploding over the sea.

APTN

22.3.03 - U.S.S. John . McCain, northern Persian Gulf

Various shots of Tomahawk missiles being launched

10:12:18

Iraqi officials, keen to score points in the propaganda war, took the international media to visit civilian sites hit by the bombings. One site visited was a leisure complex for newly wed couples to honeymoon.

APTN

22.3.03 - Baghdad

Tracking shot past buildings with plumes of black smoke in background

Tracking shot on highway with plums of black smoke

UPSOUND: (Arabic) "Bush, Bush, the criminal", men chanting

Wide shot of damage to building

10:12:35

In the south, U.S. marines of the Fighting 61st Marine Reconnaissance Company advancing into Iraq were clearly too late to stop departing Iraqi soldiers torching oilfields, before they could seize them intact.

In a boost for the coalition, American and British troops captured the Iraqi town of Umm Qasr. The port was to become a vital staging post for bringing aid and military supplies into Iraq.

As U.S. troops continued the push northwards, British troops tried to clear the al-Faw peninsula after several days of skirmishes with Iraqi resistance.

Oil fires were still burning at the Rumeila oil field - a day after U.S.-led coalition troops captured the area whose daily output of one point three SIC/White House Pool million barrels made it Iraq's most productive.

POOL

22.3.03 - southern Iraq

Welcome to Iraq - from the Fighting 61st. (US Marine Reconnaissance Company) 'Have a Nice Day' sign at side of road

Various driving past burning oil wells

10:12:52

POOL

22.3.03 - Umm Qasr, Iraq

Allied soldier standing beside picture of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein

Sign that reads "You are approaching the DMZ"

Umm Qasr police station sign

Pan from building to soldier with gun sitting on top of military vehicle

Various of tanks and gunfire

10:13:23

POOL

22.3.03 - southern Iraq

Various of U.K. Royal Marines in motorboats with Iraq prisoners

Pan line of prisoners

Various more prisoners held in desert

Mid shot Iraqi weapons

10:13:46

APTN

22.3.03 - Iraq

Elevated shot of U.S. convoy

10:13:55

POOL

22.3.03 - Umm Qasr, Iraq

Mid shot troops firing missile from launcher

Explosion in building UPSOUND troops cheering and shouting

10:14:04

POOL

21.3.03 - Al-Faw, Iraq

Various of troops in position, then advancing

Various of troops advancing, firing guns

10:14:23

POOL

23.3.03 - Al-Rumeila, Iraq

Low shot oil pipeline on ground, fire in distance

10:14:28

From the Central Command centre at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, U.S. led coalition forces claimed to be making "rapid and in some cases dramatic" progress in Iraq. On a daily basis, fresh images were released showing the success of precision bombing runs. In the battle for hearts and minds, also on display were leaflets to be dropped over Iraq giving Iraqi soldiers advice on how to surrender.

POOL

24.3.03 - Qatar

Various showing video footage of precision bombing of Iraqi positions

Leaflet dropped telling Iraqi soldiers to abandon their weapons

Leaflet dropped telling Iraqis not to poison their waterways by dumping oil

Leaflets telling Iraqi soldiers how to surrender

10:14:53

Night vision video showed a handful of soldiers from the 4th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment on foot patrol in the desert, carrying assault rifles and wearing night-vision equipment.

The Australian Department of Defence did not identify where the soldiers were operating, only that they were in the "theatre of war" as part of Australia's Special Forces Task Group.

Australian Department of Defence

23.3.03 - Undisclosed location

Australian coalition soldiers on night patrol (nightscope)

Close up Australian soldier

10:15:03

APTN

24.3.03 - Baghdad

Top wide shot pans across to damaged buildings

10:15:07

By March 25, British troops deemed the town of Umm Qasr secure. Desperate Iraqis were able to come forward to claim food and water from the first aid shipments to enter the town.

POOL

25.3.03 - Umm Qasr and DMZ, Iraq

Various of truck with aid and people taking packages

Boy looking though binoculars

10:15:16

British forces on the outskirts of Basra targeted Iraqi tanks and artillery. In what was to become their stiffest test so far, troops were to encounter stiff resistance from the Iraqi forces defending the city. APTN was the first to broadcast live from Basra Bridge as the battle for the city raged for several days. Clients also gained exclusive footage from Rumeila of the oil fires and U.S. and Kuwaiti efforts to cap the flames. Our cameras were also there to broadcast live pictures from Safwan as Iraqis rioted on the arrival of food aid to the town.

POOL

25.3.03 - Outskirts of Basra, southern Iraq

Various British troops firing shells towards Basra

Wide shot tank exploding (controlled explosion by British troops)

10:15:24

POOL

24.3.03 - Rumeila, Iraq

Wide of arms cache

Soldier standing guard near captured weapons

10:15:30

APTN

26.3.03 - Baghdad

Newspaper "The Republic" headlines "Fight them, God will punish them through your hands and curse them and will make you victorious"

10:15:34

APTN

26.3.03 - Safwan, southern Iraq

Various of food being distributed from trucks

10:15:49

APTN had dramatic pictures of a U.S. Army Paladin artillery vehicle misfiring a shell and catching fire during an artillery engagement with Iraqi forces north of Najaf. The 1st Batallion of the 41st Field Artillery had been engaged in some of the heaviest fighting of the war so far.

APTN

27.3.03 - Najaf, Iraq

Various wides of U.S. troops in dust storm, north of Najaf - light appears very red due to dust

Battalion's flag on one of the vehicles

Various of troops inside U.S. command post preparing to attack Iraqi positions

Wide exterior of another Paladin vehicle misfiring, small fire flares at end of gun barrel

Various of vehicle on fire, smoke

10:16:26

APTN

27.3.03 - Kifi, north of Najaf, Iraq

Wide shot of broken window (reflection of A.P.C. passing), zoom in to painting of New York skyline with World Trade Centre on interior wall

Close up of gunner on moving vehicle pan to gun barrel

10:16:42

APTN

27.3.03 - Baghdad

Aftermath of missile strike

Burnt out car

Burnt out car in front of damaged building

10:16:57

Two United States Navy "mammal marine systems" - better known as dolphins - were brought in to Umm Qasr to help with the hunt for marine mines.

The dolphins were trained in San Diego to detect marine mines with their natural sonar. When mines are discovered, the dolphins are removed from the area before the mines are detonated. With their help, coalition forces were able to deem the port safe and the task of shipping in supplies and aid could begin.

POOL

28.3.03 - The Gulf

Dolphin surfaces beside U.S. Navy rubber boat, handler checks it, it dives again

Dolphin jumping and diving

Wide shot of channel with British Royal Navy ship, Sir Galahad, coming into port carrying aid

10:17:15

In Baghdad, a stray U.S. missile landed in the Al Naser market in a residential district killing 14 and injuring a further 30 people.

With coalition forces making major inroads in the south, Iraqi authorities began to show signs of denial. Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, Iraq's Information minister, was soon dubbed "Comical Ali" for his wildly implausible claims of victory.

APTN

28.3.03 - Baghdad

Night shop of wrapped bodies in wooden coffins being carried from back of truck

POOL

28.3.03 - southern Iraq

View over makeshift bridge

Various of soldiers firing mortars

Blazing rockets in the air

POOL

28.3.03 - Basra, Iraq

Pan from smoke rising over city of Basra to bridge

Various of British soldiers checking people and vehicles coming from Basra

10:18:00

APTN

28.3.03 - Baghdad

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, Iraqi Information Minister

"It's a fair belief that we are winning this war and we will win the war. The final (result) will be an Iraqi victory."

10:18:12

APTN

29.3.03 - Rumeila Oil Field, Iraq

Soldiers guarding wells

Camels in front of oil well fires

10:18:23

U.S. and U.K. forces continued their efforts to secure areas in southern Iraq by destroying abandoned Iraqi munitions and conducting dawn raids on the homes of suspected Iraqi militants.

Acting on tip-offs from informers, British Royal Marines from 42 Commando unit raided houses in the Um Kayal region at daybreak.

They were searching for Iraqi soldiers, secret police or other members of Saddam Hussein's regime.

POOL

29.3.03 - Um Kayal, southern Iraq

+++PLEASE NOTE: Shots contain obscene language+++

British troops taking occupants prisoner, making them sit on ground with hands on head

10:18:36

British forces targeted Iraqi communications facilities and symbols of Saddam Hussein's rule.

In towns captured by the coalition forces the clean up operation continued. At this stage, the Iraqi civilian population largely welcomed the invading forces.

POOL

30.3.03 - near Basra, Iraq

British Challenger tank firing shells at TV mast, after the last one is fired the tower begins to topple

10:18:45

APTN

30.3.03 - Umm Qasr, Iraq

Wide shot of Saddam mural splashed with red paint

10:18:49

Iraqi TV

29/30.3.03 - Najaf area, Iraq

Masked tradesmen with weapons singing next to captured equipment

10:18:57

The air attacks on Baghdad continued unabated in preparation for an assault on the city by ground forces. By March 30, coalition forces had dropped six thousand precision-guided bombs since the start of hostilities. The U.S had also launched some 675 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

APTN

30.3.03 - Fairford Air Force base, UK

B52 bomber taking off

10:19:11

Troops from the Brigade Reconnaissance Force of the Royal Marines' 3 Commando exchanged heavy fire with a civilian force of Ba'ath Party militia fighters and Fedayeen paramilitaries at Abu Al Khasib, a few kilometres from Basra.

Abu Al Khasib was one of the last Iraqi defensive positions before the gates of Basra.

POOL

30/31.3.03 - Abu al Khasib, near Basra, Iraq

Night vision - tilt up of marine firing flare, mortar and gunshot into the air

Shot of Royal Marine firing automatic weapon

10:19:27

POOL

30/31.3.03 - Abu al Khasib, near Basra, Iraq

Daylight shots - Various of British artillery pieces firing

Various of mobile British 155 mm guns on move

10:19:45

While searching a school building in Zubayr, coalition troops found an arms cache including guns, rocket propelled grenades, hand grenades and mortar rounds.

The classrooms were still decorated with children's artwork and portraits of President Saddam Hussein.

POOL

31.3.03 - Zubayr, Iraq

Close shot of soldier's boots walking on portrait of Saddam Hussein labelled "Please wipe feet" in marker pen

10:19:48

As British troops advanced towards Basra, the Royal Engineers were using an armoured bridge layer to allow vehicles to cross obstacles on the way to the city. Bulldozers were used to dispose of Iraqi vehicles, toppling them over to prevent them from being used again.

POOL

31.3.03 - near Basra, Iraq

Engineers' bulldozer pushing Iraqi vehicle backwards

10:19:58

A U.S. led air assault bombarded Iraqi positions in the north, near the Kurdish town of Kifri.

APTN

1.4.03 - Kifri, Iraq

Three Iraqi soldiers walking near fortification, massive explosion erupts behind wall, shock waves sweep out

Skyline of town, explosion in distance on frontline Iraqi positions

10:20:21

Further inroads, as members of the U.S. 101st Airborne entered the city of Najaf. Their primary aim was to clear out the Fedayeen, the paramilitary fighters leading resistance to the coalition invasion.

The search led to sporadic firefights in the city's sprawling suburbs.

APTN

3.4.03 - Najaf, Iraq

Mid shot of U.S. military convoy passing through Najaf

10:20:27

APTN

3.4.03 - 30 kilometres south of Baghdad

Burning tank by roadside, black smoke

10:20:34

In a major exclusive, APTN filmed U.S. soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division as they seized Saddam International Airport. The battle produced some of the most dramatic footage of the entire conflict. The airport, just 15 kilometres (nine miles) from central Baghdad, was to become a crucial base for coalition forces staging the final assault on Baghdad.

APTN

4.4.03 - Baghdad

Truck on road to airport

Close up airport sign

Picture of Saddam with tank in front at airport entrance

Soldiers sheltering behind fortification

Missile launched, soldier with launcher runs back

Explosion behind wall with soldiers sheltering in foreground

Pan of destroyed Iraqi aircraft

10:21:09

Shortly after broadcasting what appeared to be an address read by Saddam Hussein, Iraqi television a few hours later showed footage from Baghdad in which the Iraqi president appeared. He was shown walking in the street with a small entourage.

There was no independent confirmation of when the video was shot, though it led to speculation that Saddam was still in Baghdad.

Iraqi TV

4.4.03 (broadcast date) - Baghdad

Various crowd surrounding Saddam

Close shot of Saddam

Saddam standing on car bonnet, crowd cheering

10:21:28

APTN

5.4.03 - Baghdad

Plumes of smoke over Baghdad

10:21:32

British soldiers pulled down a massive statue of Saddam Hussein at the gates of Basra.

Britain's 7th Armored Brigade - the famed Desert Rats - and the Royal Marines were positioned around Basra awaiting orders to launch a final push into Iraq's second-largest city.

POOL

5.4.03 - Basra, Iraq

Various of Saddam statue crashing down at the gates of Basra

10:21:56

U.S. soldiers with the 3rd Infantry Division fought with Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guards in suburbs southwest of Baghdad.

Members of the U.S. infantry moved towards the Republican Guard barracks from Baghdad's international airport - and were met with resistance from small ammunition arms and snipers.

APTN

5.4.03 - Baghdad

U.S. troops on the ground running between buildings

Various tanks firing, smoke rising

Various thick columns of smoke rising

Mid shot of tank in position, then firing at Iraqi positions

10:22:20

British forces near Al Zubayr in the south discovered shocking evidence of the brutality of Saddam's regime. Hundreds of coffin-sized boxes were discovered containing human remains. The site was sealed and treated as a mass grave.

POOL

5.4.03 - Zubayr, southern Iraq

Wide pan of coffins on floor, soldier walks past

Tracking shot of bags containing human remains

Various of Captain Jack Kemp, Royal Horse Artillery leafing though book containing notes and photographs of dead people

10:22:46

British forces stormed into Basra, a column of more than 40 armoured personnel carriers and tanks plowed deep into the city. British forces and

Iraqi fighters had waged exhaustive battles for control of the city since the war began.

POOL

5.4.03 - Basra, Iraq

Anti-tank missile released

Missile hits Iraqi tank and blows it up

10:23:05

6.4.03 - Basra, Iraq

Wide of soldiers by sandbags with poster of Saddam Hussein in background

10:23:12

APTN pictures showed the full opulence of the V.I.P. buildings in the terminal used by top Iraqi officials at Baghdad's airport.

As well as the public areas, access was also given to a bedroom inside the V.I.P. section. Saddam Hussein had previously used the room.

APTN

6.4.03 - Baghdad airport

Wide tracking shot of airport

Tilt down from terminal sign revealing wrecked interior

Troops walking through building, pan to picture of Saddam

10:23:27

US troops stormed into the heart of Baghdad taking control of one of Saddam Hussein's presidential palaces on the Tigris River.

U.S. troops burst through Iraqi defences with more than 70 tanks and 60 Bradley fighting vehicles under cover of tank-busting A10 aircraft.

A few hours later, U.S. Marines entered from the east of the city after incurring heavy fire on the outskirts of the city.

APTN

7.4.03 - Baghdad

Wide of Baghdad

Iraqis (under fire) rolling down the river bank towards the reeds in the river, possibly after being shot

Iraqis running along the bank of the river

Wide of two Iraqi tanks

10:24:00

British marines stormed the presidential palace compound in Basra, once a headquarters of the Fedayeen militia.

They entered the complex on the banks of the Shatt Al-Arab waterway at dawn in the culmination of a massive operation to take control of Basra.

POOL

7.4.03 - Basra

UPSOUND Jeep crashing through front door

Wide of marble floor, tilts up to show ceiling

10:24:13

U.S. army troops sweeping through Baghdad captured one of Saddam Hussein's presidential palaces.

An embedded APTN crew filmed soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division wandering around the huge Qasar Al Faw complex, a favourite haunt of Saddam.

APTN

7.4.03 - Baghdad

Wide of dining room

Bathroom with golden taps

View from palace onto river Tigris

10:24:20

The Pentagon released pictures of American firefighters tackling some of the fires in the Rumeila oilfields.

At the time, according to the U.S. military, American and British forces had secured 600 out of one thousand wells in the southern Iraqi oil fields.

Pentagon

8.4.03 - Rumeila, Iraq

Burning well

Fire in sunglasses of a fire fighter

Fire fighters looking at the burning well from up close, behind corrugated tin shields

Fire fighters squirting water onto the burning well

10:24:37

U.S. troops mounted an air and tank assault on Baghdad to repel an Iraqi counter attack, sending Iraqi troops fleeing across the River Tigris.

APTN

8.4.03 - Baghdad

Various of A10 ground attack plane dropping flares

Gunfire on Planning Ministry

US tank fires

10:24:54

POOL

8.4.03 - Basra

Child bites picture of Saddam on money

10:25:00

Basra citizens showed journalists through the charred remains of the city's secret police headquarters, which had been hammered by coalition bombs.

Hidden in the basement were corridors of cages, cells and torture chambers.

Locals said that for 30 years many ordinary Iraqis were tortured in the building.

APTN

8.4.03 - Basra

Wide shot of Iraqi Secret Police headquarters in Basra, damaged in war

Various of men recreating torture techniques - showing different ways they were beaten and tortured

10:25:12

An image that came to symbolise the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime - jubilant Iraqis tearing down a giant statue of President Saddam Hussein in central Baghdad.

APTN beamed the pictures live worldwide as the historic events unfolded.

APTN

9.4.03 - Baghdad

Tilt up from Iraqi man hammering statue base to Saddam statue

Wide shot of crane pulling statue down

Long shot of Iraqi men running down a street with statue head, one man rides on head

10:25:48

As word spread of the regimes fall, chaos reigned as Iraqis looted government buildings. Opportunists seized whatever they could - looking for an easy windfall, revenge against the regime or even battlefield mementos.

APTN

9.4.03 - Baghdad

Pan around to man bashing Saddam picture

Looter with large vase leaving compound

Looters walking along street with goods

Man and boy outside ministry dragging chairs

Boy with flags walks up to camera, saying "OK, OK, no Saddam, yes boss, no Saddam"

10:26:11

Another bomb-blasted remnant of Saddam Hussein's regime was found on the Shatt-al-Arab waterway, beside Basra's dockyards.

Saddam's presidential yacht was still afloat, but drifting aimlessly with the tide.

Just the yacht's name - still visible in blue paint on its stern - together with a singed Iraqi flag hanging from a bent mast, were all that was left to identify the liner's owner.

Ironically, Saddam Hussein had christened it "Al Mansur", which means in Arabic "The Victor".

When it was launched in 1982, it was one of the largest and most impressive private yachts in the world.

POOL

10.4.03 - Basra

Wide of yacht wreckage

Wide pan of young man paddling past wreckage

Various Iraqis dragging Saddam statue down the street

Iraqi men riding on top of the Saddam statue being dragged down street

10:26:35

Kurdish guerrilla fighters entered the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a clear indication that the Iraqi regime's control in the north of the country had crumbled.

Residents and militia toppled statues and destroyed images of President Saddam Hussein and looted government offices as more than 100 vehicles laden with Kurdish "Peshmerga" fighters drove through Kirkuk's streets, flying the flags of the two major Kurdish factions.

APTN

10.4.03 - Kirkuk, Iraq

Various of Kurdish militia fighters firing their automatic rifles at a mural of Saddam Hussein

10:26:40

APTN

10.4.03 - Baghdad

Various of people carrying out furniture from building and packing it into cars

Tractor pulling trailer full of furniture

10:26:49

U.S. President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair used a new television station to get their message across to the Iraqi people.

The station, "Towards Freedom TV," broadcast from a U.S. C-130 Hercules aircraft circling in the skies over Iraq, using the frequency of the former Iraqi state TV terrestrial channel.

Towards Freedom Movement

8.4.03 - Various

SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Blair, British Prime Minister:

"This is Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. I'm glad to be able to speak to you today, to tell you that Saddam Hussein's regime is collapsing, that the years of brutality, oppression and fear, are coming to an end; that a new and better future beckons for the people of Iraq".

SOUNDBITE (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President:

"This is George W. Bush, the President of the United States. At this moment, the regime of Saddam Hussein is being removed from power, and a long era of fear and cruelty is ending. American and coalition forces are now operating inside Baghdad, and we will not stop until Saddam's corrupt gang is gone. The government of Iraq and the future of your country will soon belong to you".

10:27:38

Looters again ransacked government buildings and defaced images of Saddam Hussein as U.S. troops took control of the northern city of Mosul.

APTN

10.4.03 - Mosul, Iraq

Mid shot of Saddam mural being stoned

Wide shot of Saddam mural being stoned

Tilt up from group of men to Saddam mural being stoned

10:27:50

APTN

11.4.03 - Baghdad

Tilt up local men in front of hospital with Kalashnikovs as hospital is looted

Local men acting as hospital guards outside compound

Interior ransacked hospital X-ray room

10:28:04

British troops in Basra struggled to gain control of the city a week after its fall. As well as looters, forces had to contend with a lack of water and electricity. Some of the public frustration against the invaders was taken out on the English department of the city's university.

APTN

11.4.03 - Basra, Iraq

Children pulling carts with furniture looted from Basra University

Close up books on ground outside English department, tilt up to university

Various interior of people taking books from university library

10:28:19

APTN

11.4.03 - Al-Doura, 20 kilometres outside Baghdad

Various of burned out cars and trucks by highway

10:28:25

POOL

11.4.03 - Doha, Qatar

SOUNDBITE: (English) Brigadier General Vincent Brooks, U.S. Central Command

"The key list has 55 individuals who may be pursued, killed or captured and the list does not exclude any leaders who may have already been killed or captured."

10:28:37

U.S. military officers held meetings with Baghdad civil authorities, including members of the Iraqi police force, about essential services such as water and power in the city.

Regular water supplies had been cut off during the war, leaving Iraqis to queue for hours at the few remaining clean water sources.

APTN

12.4.03 - Baghdad

Shots of children queuing for water in street

Man filling bucket in street, woman hauling bucket up to her apartment balcony two floors above the road

10:28:47

APTN cameras were there to record U.S. marines discovering a cache of multi-million dollar luxury automobiles. The cars belonging to high figures in the Iraqi regime were found in Baghdad's City Hall. Some of the vehicles were valued at as high as 10 million U.S. dollars.

APTN

13.4.03 - Baghdad

Marine walking down stairs at basement of Baghdad's City Hall

Pan across luxury cars

Various of luxury cars

10:29:08

Local Iraqis took matters into their own hands in Baghdad, forming vigilante groups to protect homes and property from further looting.

Armed with rifles, men fired rounds at looters who appeared about to cross the Tigris River to reach Baghdad's once up market Karada district.

APTN

13.4.03 - Baghdad

Group of vigilantes walking through neighbourhood

10:29:21

The plight of Ali Ismail Hassan moved millions of people around the world.

Aside from his severe injuries, Ali lost most of his immediate family in the raid - including his father and pregnant mother. Ali was later taken to the United Kingdom for treatment.

APTN

14.4.03 - Baghdad

Staff pull back his covering to show Ali Ismail Hassan's injuries

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ali Ismail Hassan

"Do you want to liberate us, but why are you killing us? Where will all this pain go?"

10:29:38

U.S. soldiers entered the palace where Saddam Hussein's eldest son Uday had lived.

While most Iraqis bent under the brunt of U.N. sanctions that drove their country into poverty, the tour through his bombed house showed that Uday lived a life of fast cars and expensive liquor.

APTN

15.4.03 - Baghdad

Various of US army around crates of weapons said to have been found in house of Uday Hussein

Various of gold plated weapons

10:29:49

U.S. marines foiled a robbery attempt on a Baghdad bank. They recovered some four million U.S. dollars worth of cash, taken from a branch on of the Rafidain Bank near the Marine headquarters at City Hall.

APTN

15.4.03 - Baghdad (marines foil bank robbers)

Pan from marine to suspects

Marines removing stacks of US soldiers in white and orange sacks

Various of marines piling up US dollars

10:30:05

APTN

16.4.03 - Baghdad

US soldiers storming bank, UPSOUND of shouting

US soldiers putting suspects up against outside wall of bank

US soldier taking money out of bag with suspect on floor beside

Suspects up against wall with piles of money behind

US soldier with stacks of Iraqi bank notes

Plaque with banks name

10:30:41

Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated against the U.S. occupation of Iraq following Friday prayers held by a leading cleric. They called for the immediate withdrawal of coalition forces. It was an early indication of the opposition the allies were to face in the "post war" era.

APTN

18.3.03 - Baghdad

SOUNDBITE: (English) Abdullah Salah, Islamic opposition member and former Iraqi exile

"This rally is against he invasion of Americans in Iraq. We want the American troops basically to leave Iraq completely and leave the Iraqi people to rule Iraq."

IRAQ

POST WAR

10:31:01

Twelve days after U.S. forces seized Iraq, retired U.S. Lieutenant General Jay Garner arrived to take up his duties as Iraq's postwar civil administrator. His main priorities included restoring basic services such as electricity and water as well as civil order. In Baghdad, he visited the Yarmouk hospital, which had been overwhelmed with casualties of the fighting. Looters had stripped many wards of even their most basic equipment.

POOL

21.4.03 - Baghdad

Retired US Lieutenant General Jay Garner arriving at airport greeting troops

Garner walking with staff of Yarmouk hospital

10:31:12

On a tour of the northern Kurdish region, Garner met with prominent Kurdish leaders to discuss the future administration of the region.

POOL

22.4.03 - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Jay Garner, Tim Cross, Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani holding hands at photo op

10:31:16

Thirteen people were killed and 75 others injured after U.S. Army soldiers opened fire on Iraqi demonstrators in Fallujah. The soldiers claimed they opened fire after shots were aimed at them from the crowd. The protesters were objecting to the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq.

APTN

29.4.03 - Fallujah, Iraq

Damaged car with bullet holes

Wide shot of the entrance to Fallujah on the motorway

10:31:31

APTN

30.4.03 - Fallujah, Iraq

Funeral procession - coffin being carried through crowd

Various of US soldiers in defensive positions around building

Close up of banner reading: "Sooner or later, US killers, we'll kick you out"

10:31:41

APTN

1.5.03 - Fallujah, Iraq

Mid shot of banner outside American post reading "USA leave our country"

Iraqi flag covered in blood outside hospital

10:31:48

Coalition forces began to find shocking evidence of the brutality of Saddam Hussein's regime. Mass graves were found at sites across the country. By far the largest was the Al-Mahawil site near Babylon, where up to 15 thousand bodies were feared buried.

APTN

4.5.03 - Babylon, Iraq

People at site of mass grave

Remains, woman clapping in background

Close ups of remains

Woman holding photo of her missing son, Akil Hassanali

10:32:07

Excavation teams found a further 2,200 bodies at a mass grave in Hillah, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad. Other major sites were found in Kirkuk, Basra, Muhammed Sakran and Najaf. Many of the victims died during the Shiite revolt against the Saddam Hussein government that followed the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War.

APTN

14.5.03 - Hillah, Iraq

Wide shot of crowd standing around earth mover digging up grave

Various of women wailing with bags of remains

Pile of remains

10:32:22

Coalition forces faced growing opposition from Iraq's ethnic groups. In June, Sunni Muslims rallied in the streets of Baghdad, accusing U.S. troops of entering the city's Hothaifa bin al-Yaman mosque and taking money. The U.S. military denied the allegations, saying they'd merely been searching for weapons. Coalition forces were increasingly criticised for inflaming a volatile situation with their sometimes heavy-handed approach to maintaining security.

APTN

13.6.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide of protesters in street chanting with banners

Wide of marchers chanting

Protesters hold up banner of Koran

Wide of protesters with tank and mosque

10:32:42

More evidence of Saddam's opulent lifestyle was unearthed. At a farmhouse not far from Saddam's birthplace outside Tikrit, American troops unearthed a stash of his treasure valued at some 8 million U.S. dollars.

APTN

19.6.03 - Tikrit, Iraq

Wide shot of Saddam palace

US soldier carrying box of treasure in room inside Saddam's palace, puts box on desk

Various of treasure being laid out on table

Various of broach holding picture of Saddam

Various shots of treasure

10:33:14

The first meeting of the U.S. appointed Iraqi governing council met in July in what was hailed as the first step on the path to democracy. The council was made up of leaders from Iraq's diverse ethnic and religious groups. The panel was selected after two months of consultations and faced the difficult task of convincing the Iraqi people that it represented them. This was despite the fact the population never had a chance to vote on its members.

APTN

13.7.03 - Baghdad

Wide shot exterior of building where meeting was held

Entrance to building with security guard in front

Wide interior of council seated around table in meeting room

Mid shot Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani (on left) talking to Mohammed Bahr al-Uloum, cleric from Najaf

Close up Ahmed Chalabi gesturing to council members

Close up Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani

SOUNDBITE: (English) Paul Bremer, US Administrator for Iraq

"Once that constitution is approved by the Iraqi people, we'll have the place to hold elections for a sovereign government."

10:33:51

Crowds of Iraqis gathered outside the mansion in Mosul where American soldiers killed Saddam Hussein's two eldest sons.

Some of them were shouting in delight, others cursing in anger.

Uday and Qusay Hussein were regarded as two of the cruelest men in Saddam's regime. For the coalition it was a major boost, evidence they were closing the net on Saddam Hussein. Supporters of the former leader promised retaliation.

APTN

23.7.03 - Mosul, Iraq

Exterior of villa

US soldier

Window on villa damaged by gunfire and with smoke billowing

Villa with smoke still billowing out

Damaged side of house

10:34:12

US Department of Defense

Still image corpse with full head of hair and beard of Qusay Hussein

Still image corpse with shaved head and full beard showing facial injury Uday Hussein

10:34:24

APTN

25.7.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shot of bodies of Qusay and Uday Hussein

10:34:31

APTN

23.7.03 - near Ramadi, Iraq

Wide shot of Iraqi insurgents wearing masks

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Iraqi insurgent

"If this news is true that Qusay and Uday are dead, we shall raise hell on Americans."

Close up of man holding RPG

Close up small child holding assault rifle

10:34:54

APTN

2.8.03 - Tikrit, Iraq

Wide shot of burial site of Qusay and Uday

Mourner approaches grave with a banknote with Saddam's image and glues it with mud to the grave

Mourner with cap praying in front of mosque

10:35:06

As the months passed, the death toll continued to rise as insurgents launched a series of attacks on a variety of targets throughout Iraq. A massive car bomb exploded outside the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad in August, killing a dozen people and injuring over 50 more.

Later in the month, another bomb hit the United Nations compound in Baghdad, killing Sergio Vieira de Mello, the head of U.N. operations in Iraq. He was among 23 people killed in the blast.

APTN

7.8.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shot aftermath of bomb

Fire burning outside embassy - pan to soldiers

Burnt out car

US soldiers standing on vehicle

10:35:24

APTN

19.8.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shots of UN headquarters with smoke billowing out

Burning cars

10:35:42

International organisations were not the only target. Iraq's holiest Shiite shrine in Najaf was hit by a bomb killing 125 people including Shia cleric, Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim. Al-Hakim had only recently returned to Iraq after two decades of exile.

APTN

29.8.03 - Najaf, Iraq

Mosque with damage from explosion

Crowds of people surrounding wrecked car

Various of rubble and damage

10:35:53

APTN

10.5.03 - Basra, Iraq

Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim addresses crowd

10:36:00

Friendly fire incidents only served to complicate relations between the coalition troops and the Iraqis they were meant to be helping.

In September, an American patrol opened fire on an Iraqi police patrol by mistake. Nine people were killed including a Jordanian security guard. The U.S. military was forced to apologise for the incident, which was to trigger a new cycle of bloodshed in the country's most troubled region.

The supposed "post-war" period was proving more costly in terms of lives than the war itself.

APTN

12.9.03 - Al-bu Al-wan, near Fallujah, Iraq

Various exteriors of one of the Jordanian Hospital buildings at Al-bu Al-wan

Cartidge cases from 40 mm grenade launcher lying in the foreground with building behind

Various of locals shouting and dancing around burned out US "humvee"

10:36:22

APTN

13.9.03 - Fallujah, Iraq

Various of coffins of Iraq policemen shot by US soldiers being carried through crowd

10:36:27

APTN

12.10.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shot of scene of car bombing

Close up injured man being taken away on police pick-up

Stretcher being loaded into ambulance

10:36:46

The Al Rasheed Hotel in central Baghdad was home to many Americans and seen as a symbol of the U.S.-led occupation. A rocket attack in October killed an American colonel and injured a further 18 people.

APTN

26.10.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Hotel

Various of damaged hotel

10:37:05

A dozen people were killed in an attack on the Red Cross complex in Baghdad, also in October. The attack led to calls for non-governmental organisations to pull out of Iraq as the situation became ever more dangerous. Most of those killed were Iraqi employees of the aid organisation.

APTN

27.9.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Various of smoke rising over city following suicide bombing attack on Red Cross building

10:37:24

Fifteen U.S. soldiers died when a U.S. Chinook helicopter was shot down near Fallujah. It was one of the deadliest strikes against American troops since the start of the war. Public support for the war back home was rapidly eroding as more and more people began to ask the same question - was it all worth it?

APTN

2.11.03 - near Fallujah, Iraq

Helicopter on ground

Soldiers at site of crash

Close up of crash site, pull out to wide of site

TERRORISM

INDONESIA - TRIAL OF BALI BOMBERS

10:37:57

Indonesian authorities continued their search for members of the al-Qaida linked Islamic group Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for the Bali bombings of October 2002, which killed over 200 people. Two suspects were taken to the Kuta nightclub district as part of their interrogation in January. At a press conference, one of the chief suspects, Ali Imron, confessed his involvement and demonstrated the type of pipe-bomb vest used in the attack.

APTN

16.1.03 - Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

Bali bomb suspect, Ali Imron, being lead out of police station and taken to cell

Wide shot of Mubarok, alias Hutomo Pamangkas taken into a police car

Various shots of some of the other suspects being brought out of vehicles

10:38:41

APTN

11.2.03 - Bali, Indonesia

SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesia) Ali Imron, Bali bomb suspect

"I swear in the name of God and Islam that the bombing in Bali is purely the work of our group. There is nobody backing us up and supporting us, unlike what we often hear in recent news reports."

Cutaway of press

Close up of Imron showing jacket with explosives

Pan from computer to Imron putting jacket on

10:39:17

The trials of the 33 suspects finally got underway in May. Also on trial was the Indonesian justice system, as the international community looked on to see its effectiveness in dealing with the threat of terrorism. Many of the ringleaders of the attack were later convicted and given the death sentence - only those who showed remorse were spared and given life imprisonment.

APTN

12.5.03 - Bali, Indonesia

Amrozi bin Nurhasyim is brought into court and soldiers put him in seat in front of judges

Tilt down on Amrozi in court

Wide shot of court

10:39:54

APTN

File November 2002 - Denpasar, Bali

Shot of Amrozi and Da'i Bachtiar, Indonesian Police Chief

Close up of Amrozi's face

10:40:00

APTN

2.6.03 - Bali

Imam Samudra being lead to seat

Samudra sitting down, UPSOUND: Samudra shouts "Allah u-Akbar" (God is great), defence lawyers (out of shot) respond with own cries of Allah u-Akbar (God is great)

Judge banging gavel

10:40:26

APTN

16.5.03 - Denpasar, Bali

Various Mukhlas, under guard, enters court and taken to seat

UPSOUND Mukhlas chants "God is Great"

Tilt down Mukhlas

TERRORISM

INDONESIA - BOMBS

10:40:53

Despite the crackdown and the best efforts of the authorities, the terrorist attacks continued. Indonesia's parliament and police headquarters were both targets for bomb attacks. Foreign interests targeted included a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant and the J.W. Marriott hotel. Twelve people were killed and 150 injured in the Marriot bombing.

APTN

3.2.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Wide shot of Jakarta police compound with media in the foreground

Mid shot of bomb damaged building

Close ups of blasted roof

Zoom in to police investigators bagging debris as evidence

Police standing guard at blast sight cordoned off

10:41:13

APTN

27.4.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Entrance from within airport of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant where explosion occurred - glass on ground

Various shots of investigators at scene

Broken glass and debris

10:41:35

APTN

14.7.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Wide shot of Indonesian parliament building

Various shots of explosion site

Various shots of forensic team with a dog at site

10:41:52

APTN

5.8.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Exterior of hotel

Police, tilt up to smoke

Exterior of J.W. Marriott hotel, zoom in on shattered windows

Various of fire fighters trying to extinguish car on fire

Various of dead body being put into the back of an ambulance

10:42:21

APTN

19.8.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesian national detective Erwin Mapasseng holding a photo list of fugitives wanted in connection with Marriott bombing

Fugitives list

TERRORISM

SAUDI ARABIA - BOMB

10:42:39

Saudi Arabia was also the target of terrorists when in May a housing complex used by Americans working in Riyadh was hit by a truck bombing. Over 90 people were killed in the attack described as "terrorism at its worst" by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell during a visit to the site. The attack was again linked to the al-Qaida network.

POOL

13.5.03 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Piles of debris

US Secretary of State Colin Powell looking at devastation

Tilt down destroyed building

Close up US flag, pull out to destroyed building

Close up piece of debris

Destroyed buildings pull out

Sandstorm blows up around wrecked buildings

Close up Powell walking with group in sandstorm

TERRORISM

MOROCCO - BOMBS

10: 43:44

A series of terrorist attacks occurred in Casablanca in May, with bombs going off at a number of sites in the city including a Jewish Community Centre and the Belgian consulate. Over 40 people were killed, 13 of whom were believed to be the suicide bombers. In the aftermath, authorities rounded up members of local extremist Islamic groups Salafia Jihadia and Attakfir wal Hijra in connection with the blasts. Again, al-Qaida were suspected of involvement.

APTN

17.5.03 - Casablanca, Morocco

Police stand guard outside bombed nightclub

High shot of wrecked outdoor dining area

Various of burned tables and chairs, blood and left shoes at Casa de Espana

Exterior of damaged Belgian consulate

Man sweeping up broken glass at restaurant opposite consulate

Close up of restaurant sign with blood splattered walls

Various exteriors of damage to Hotel Farah

Close up of hotel sign

Body is put into waiting van

Woman crying

SOUNDBITE: (French) Mustapha Sahel, Moroccan Interior Minister

"These attacks were committed by a cell made up of 14 members split into five groups, and these five groups are the ones that carried out the attacks in Casablanca."

10:44:59

APTN

18.5.03 - Casablanca, Morocco

Wide shot of news stand with people looking at papers

Close up headline "The Horror" in French

Various shots of King Mohammed IV of Morocco viewing the bomb-damaged interior of Jewish community centre

ISRAEL/PALESTINE

10:45:33

Hope of progress in the Middle East peace process lay with the appointment of Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) as the first Palestinian Prime Minister. After pressure applied by both The United States and Israel, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat agreed to relinquish some of his power to create the new post. The appointment was seen as a pre-cursor to the U.S. unveiling its "road map" to peace, with the aim of establishing Palestinian statehood within three years. However, continued violence and Israeli strikes within the West Bank and Gaza on Hamas targets were a constant setback to progress.

APTN

7.3.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

Abu Mazen, Palestinian Prime Minister Designate, sitting at desk

SOUNDBITE: (English) Saeb Erekat Palestinian Senior Official

"President Arafat has made the choice to appoint Mr. Mahmoud Abbas (aka Abu Mazen) as the Prime Minister. It is the right choice and it is a good choice. I believe in the end of the day Mr. Abu Mazen will be the credible and the empowered prime minister of the new Palestinian cabinet."

10:45:59

APTN

18.3.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

Various of Palestinian Legislative Council meeting in chamber

Various of council members voting on resolution

10:46:16

POOL

8.4.03 - Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"We're committed to implementing the road-map toward peace, to bring closer the day when two states, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace and stability. Peace in the Middle East will require overcoming deep divisions of history and religion. Yet we know this is possible."

10:46:40

APTN

9.4.03 - Gaza

Various shots of bodies being carried through crowd

Various shots of masked paramilitary fighters with guns in burial parade

9.4.02 - Jenin

Damaged empty classroom, pan to blood on floor

Close up of broken light and blood splattered floor

Pockmarks on ceiling and walls

10:47:07

U.S. special operations forces in Iraq captured Mohammed Abu Abbas, leader of a Palestinian group that killed an American on the hijacked cruise liner Achille Lauro in 1985. He was reported to have lived in Iraq for 17 years. Abbas' case had been mentioned in an October 2002 speech by President Bush, used as evidence of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's support for international terrorism. The Palestinian Authority immediately asked for the release of Abbas, saying his arrest violated a 1995 interim agreement between Israel and the Palestinians that said no P.L.O. officials could be arrested for violent acts committed before the 1993 Israel-P.L.O. pact of mutual recognition.

APTN

File, 20.4.96 - Gaza

Mohammed Abu Abbas - allowed into Gaza for first time to attend Palestinian National Council meeting sits down

Abbas greets man

APTN

16.4.03 - Baghdad

Wide shot of exterior Mohammed Abbas' house

APTN

File

Achille Lauro

10:47:32

In April, following a bitter stand-off, the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and his prime-minister designate Mahmoud Abbas finally agreed on the formation of a new cabinet. Arafat had challenged several key appointments made by Abbas during the course of the power struggle. After officially accepting the position of Palestinian Prime Minister, one of Abbas' first acts was to formally accept a draft of the internationally backed peace plan, known as the "road map". The "road map" required an immediate ceasefire, a crackdown on Palestinian militants and Israel's withdrawal from Palestinian towns and the dismantling of Jewish settlements. But just a day after the plan was presented, its success was already under threat. Following a suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel struck a Hamas stronghold in Gaza in a raid aimed at taking out Yousef Abu Hein, a leading Hamas bomb maker.

APTN

23.4.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

Wide shot of Arafat (centre) holding hands with Mahmoud Abbas ( left) and Suleiman (right) seated at table

SOUNDBITE: (English) Nabil Shaath, Palestinian Planning Minister

"We have now a cabinet blessed by President Arafat and accepted by Mr Abbas - Abu Mazen - and we are going to proceed. Our assumption is that the road map will be declared very soon with all its requirements."

10:48:01

APTN

1.5.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

Mid shot of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas meeting his cabinet of ministers, shot pulls out to wide

APTN

1.5.03 - Gaza City, Gaza Strip

Various shots of masked Hamas gunmen standing amid wreckage of houses at site of Israeli raid

Various shots of ruined buildings

Blood visible on wreckage

Wide shot Gaza City skyline explosions, dust clouds rising above horizons

10:48:30

The "road map" peace plan faced opposition from within Israel. Jewish settlers, once allied to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, rallied against him as he met with both the Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and the U.S. President George W. Bush in a summit in Jordan. The result: a pledge by Israel to dismantle illegal settlements in Palestinian areas, while the new Palestinian prime minister renounced all terrorism against Israel.

APTN

4.6.03 - Jerusalem

Various of Jewish settlers protesting with banners

Various wides of protest rally

10:48:48

POOL

4.6.03 - Jordan

US President George W. Bush, Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas), Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, walk out and wave to media. AUDIO members of media asking them to shake hands, they don't

10:48:56

POOL

4.6.03 - Jordan

Leaders walking to podium

Bush and Abbas sitting in garden

10:49:10

Setbacks to the progress of the peace plan were frequent. Israel continued with the construction of a barrier dividing Israel from areas of the West Bank. While Israel claimed it was merely a measure to protect them against suicide bombers, the Palestinians said it cut thousands of people off from their land and jobs and encroached into large sections of their territory. Despite the construction of the 250 kilometre long fence, the suicide bombings continued. At least 18 people were killed and over 40 injured when a bomb went off in packed bus full of Jewish worshippers returning from prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. In response, Israel froze contact with the Palestinian authority and stopped the handover of two West Bank towns. They also launched a new wave of attacks on Hamas targets in both the West Bank and Gaza.

APTN

21.7.03 - Jayous, West Bank

Wide shot of truck moving along the security zone of the road

Bulldozer and truck seen working over barbed wire fence

APTN

18.7.03 - Bethlehem, West Bank

Shot of fence warning sign

10:49:23

APTN

29.7.03 - West Bank

Fence snaking along for kilometres

Aerial following fence, Palestinian towns and Israeli settlements close to fence

10:50:06

APTN

19.8.03 - Jerusalem

Wide shot of ambulances at scene

Various of bus and wreckage at site

10:50:18

POOL

19.8.03 - Jerusalem

Zoom in to front of bus where blast happened

10:50:28

APTN

9.9.03 - Hebron, West Bank

Various shots of apartment building where Kawasme family lived being shelled by tanks

Various shots of Israeli troops attacking apartment building; UPSOUND: Gunfire

Apartment block being demolished

10:50:58

Following the resignation of Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qureia emerged as the frontrunner to take over the position.

Israel maintained its pressure on the Palestinian authority, issuing threats to expel the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. An Arab backed resolution at the United Nations demanding that Israel halt the threats was blocked by a U.S. veto in the security council vote - three other nations abstained: Britain, Germany and Bulgaria. In October, Israel launched an air strike against Syria, hitting what they claimed was a suspected Islamic Jihad training base outside Damascus. The attack on Syria led to an escalation of tensions along the border with Israel and Lebanon, where Syria was the main power-broker. In his first comments following the attack Sharon defended Israel's right to protect its citizens.

APTN

9.9.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

SOUNDBITE: (English) Ahmed Qureia, candidate for Palestinian Prime Minister

"We are committed to the peace process, we are committed to the road map, we are committed to all our commitments in the road map, we are committed to security and everything. And we want the other side to commit to it themselves."

10:51:11

APTN

7.10.03 - Jerusalem

SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) Ariel Sharon, Israeli Prime Minister

"Israel will not be deterred from protecting its citizens and will strike its enemies in every place and in every way."

SARS

10:51:38

SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, caused a worldwide health scare. The virus infected over 8-thousand people and killed more than 700 people worldwide. The outbreak began in the Guangzhou region of China late in 2002, but by mid 2003 had spread throughout Asia. Face masks became commonplace, as was the sight of planes being disinfected at airports.

Hong Kong was among the worst affected cities. A huge clean up operation was launched to try and contain the spread of the deadly virus.

The scare affected the region's economy with western travellers and businessmen afraid to visit the region.

VNR

May 2003 - Atlanta, Georgia

Shots of researchers in Centre for Disease Control labs studying SARS

Shots of SARS virus on computer screen

Close shot of SARS virus in a lab dish

10:51:54

APTN

27.3.03 - Beijing, China

Pan from different types of face masks

Man pulls out disposable face mask from packet

Man demonstrates putting on face mask

APTN

28.3.03 - Beijing, China

Long shot of Hong Kong tourists wearing face mask at baggage hall

10:52:13

APTN

2.4.03 - Manila, Philippines

Wide shot of Philippine Airlines plane docked after landing

Passengers arriving from Hong Kong coming out of airport tunnel wearing masks

Airline staff spraying disinfectant inside plane

10:52:31

APTN

5.4.03 - Guandong, China

Various of people looking at notice board with information on SARS prevention

10:52:39

APTN

12.4.03 - Hong Kong

Wide shot of doctor checking patient with flashlight

Doctor writing

Close up on prescription as its being written

10:52:54

APTN

14.4.03 - Shenzhen, China

Wide shot of people walking into Hong Kong from mainland China

Mid shot of health declaration

Mid shot of health declaration

10:53:05

APTN

17.4.03 - Hong Kong

Man checking passenger's ear

Man walks to security, zoom in to close up of ear being checked

Close up on device showing temperature at 36 degrees Celsius

10:53:24

APTN

19.4.03 - Hong Kong

Exterior shot of Bowrington Street Market in Wanchai district of Hong Kong

Woman pushing large cleaning machine on cart through street

Low shot of mopping, pan to Yeoh Eng-kiong and others mopping

Close up high pressure water hose cleaning market

Wide shot of man cleaning using hose

10:53:49

APTN

April 2003 - Hong Kong

Doctors looking at x-ray

Pan from doctors to x-ray

Doctor with child in hospital

Pan from doctor to child

Kid looking through comic book on hospital bed

10:54:11

APTN

28.4.03 - Beijing, China

Tilt up on 29th dormitory of the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing (Zhao Jun Doing Li), which was isolated due to resident students with SARS

Mid shot of apartment windows

Woman cleaning window sill

Wide shot of security at apartment entrance

Mid shot of guards with face masks talking to doctors

Pan right of banner saying in Mandarin: "We expect that those infected will recover soon and that this isolation order frees us from this disease sooner"

10:54:36

APTN

1.5.03 - Xiaotangshan, Beijing

High wide newly built Xiaotangshan SARS hospital

Medium soldier guarding outside the disinfection room

Night shot wide of ambulances transporting SARS patients on road to Xiaotangshan hospital

A round table used as a signboard with Chinese characters reading: "No entrance to people from other villages and places"

GLOBAL

PRE-WAR PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS

10:55:04

In unprecedented protests, millions of people worldwide showed their opposition to the impending war in Iraq. In major cities around the globe demonstrators took to the streets calling for a peaceful solution to the Iraq problem. Both U.S. President George W. Bush and his closest ally British Prime Minister Tony Blair faced huge opposition in their own countries. Despite the scale of the anti-war movement, the invasion of Iraq went ahead regardless.

APTN

15.2.03 - New York, USA

Crowds of protesters

Effigy of US President George W. Bush with saying "no war"

APTN

15.2.03 - London, UK

Wide overhead shot of march

People dressed as British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush kissing

APTN

15.2.03 - Paris, France

Wide shot of demonstration

Pan from sign to demonstrator

Wide shot of street with marchers

APTN

15.2.03 - Berlin, Germany

Banner in crowd of marchers with a picture of Bush

Various of crowd of marchers

APTN

15.2.03 - Tel Aviv, Israel

Various of demonstrators

Demonstrators marching down road

APTN

15.2.03 - Rome, Italy

Wide shot of Piazza Venezia full of demonstrators with banners

GLOBAL

NATO EXPANSION

10:56:15

In its largest expansion yet, NATO welcomed seven eastern European nations to the alliance. The foreign ministers from Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Estonia and Latvia signed their membership treaties in Brussels on March 26th. The seven are due to join the coalition in May 2004 following ratification in their respective parliaments. Once members, they will be covered by NATO's core security guarantee, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

NATO TV

26.3.03 - Brussels, Belgium

Wide shot of NATO council room

Mid shot of Lord Robertson, Secretary General of NATO addressing council

Various of accession countries foreign ministers signing protocols

SOUNDBITE: (English) Lord Robertson, Secretary General of NATO

"Colleagues, the accession protocols have now been signed by all of the existing nineteen members of NATO. The ratification can now begin."

Group photo opportunity

EUROPE

SERBIA - DJINDJIC ASSASSINATION

11:57:17

Gunmen who ambushed his entourage near government headquarters assassinated Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic -a key leader of the revolt, which toppled former President Slobodan Milosevic - in March.

Djindjic had many enemies because of his pro-reformist and pro-Western stance and his crackdown on organised crime, which is rampant in Serbia and across the Balkans.

A government-imposed state of emergency followed the murder and the military were called in to assist in the search for the assassins.

Members of an underworld network, which bore a grudge against the prime minister, carried out the killing.

APTN

File, July 1999 - Uzice, Serbia

Djindjic addressing crowd

APTN

12.3.03 - Belgrade, Serbia

Wide shot of people and police gathering outside site of shooting

Wide shot of street and police outside the government offices where Djindjic was ambushed

Mid shot of police and vehicles

SOUNDBITE: (Serbian) Nebojsa Covic, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister

"There was an assassination of the Prime Minister of Serbia, Mr Zran Djindjic, at 1225pm (1125 GMT). The Prime Minister died at 1330pm (1230 GMT) in the emergency unit of the Serbian clinical centre in Belgrade. Doctor Zoran Djindjic was hit in the chest and abdomen and the wounds were gunshot wounds."

Mid shot of the sign of government offices where Djindjic was ambushed

Close up flowers

APTN

13.3.03 - Belgrade, Serbia

Close shot of candles, pan to flower tributes

EUROPE

SWEDEN - LINDH MURDER

10:58:25

One of Sweden's most popular and charismatic politicians, the Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, was murdered outside a Stockholm department store. The killing shocked one of Europe's most open and liberal societies. Lindh, who did not have bodyguards, was stabbed several times in the stomach, chest and arm while out shopping on September 10th and died the next day after several hours of surgery.

Her death cast a shadow over an impending referendum in which Swedes rejected the euro.

Many Swedes feared a repeat of the 1996 murder of Prime Minister Olaf Palme, which has never been solved. But after a massive manhunt, police detained 24-year old Mijailo Mijailovic, a Swedish man of Yugoslav origin who was later charged with the murder.

APTN

6.9.03 - Lake Garda, Italy

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh during "family photo" at EU Foreign Ministers meeting

APTN

11.9.03 - Stockholm, Sweden

Various shots of people laying flowers and candles by photo of Anna Lindh

APTN

12.9.03 - Stockholm, Sweden

Queue outside the store where Lindh was attacked

EUROPE

EU EXPANSION SUMMIT AND VIOLENT PROTESTS

10:58:56

The 15 current European Union leaders met in Athens in April to discuss a range of topics from E.U. expansion to the war in Iraq. They agreed on elements of future U.N. Security Council resolutions designed to give the organisation a firm footing in the rebuilding of Iraq. The meeting was marred by anti-war demonstrations. The protesters anger was aimed at E.U. leaders from Britain, Spain and Italy who supported the war.

APTN

16.4.03 - Athens, Greece

Wide shot of protesters

Protesters in stand off with police - some throw paint bombs

Wide of police in riot gear

EUROPE

GREECE - THE AURORA

10:59:20

A mystery stomach virus struck down 500 out of 1,800 passengers aboard the cruise ship Aurora during a 17 day Mediterranean voyage. The ship was refused entry to a Greek port and Spanish authorities closed the border to Gibralter during the scare. The ship finally returned to Southampton by which time most of the passengers had recovered from the norovirus that caused vomiting and diarrhea but was not fatal.

APTN

31.10.03 - Piraeus, Athens, Greece

Various of cruise ship "Aurora" approaching Piraeus docks

Police checkpoint in the docks

Pan of cruise ship "Aurora"

Vessels around the "Aurora"

EUROPE

CONCORDE -END OF AN ERA

10:59:58

After 28 years, Concorde finally bowed out of service bringing an end to the era of supersonic commercial flights. British Airways suspended flights in October saying Concorde was no longer economically viable. Tens of thousands of people turned out to see the final three scheduled flights come in to land at London's Heathrow airport. It was a bittersweet day for fans of perhaps the most majestic plane ever to grace the world's skies.

Air France, the only other airline to operate Concorde, grounded its supersonic fleet in May.

APTN

File (black and white) - UK

Plan of model 2, exterior view

Plane in production

APTN

File (colour) - France

Concorde unveiled, ribbon cutting ceremony

POOL

24.10.03 - Heathrow airport, London

Wide shot of three Concordes all coming in to land (New York plane faint in background)

Various of Concorde plane coming from New York landing at Heathrow

Concorde dipping its nose

Pilots waving Union flags out of cockpit windows of Concorde

AFRICA

CIVIL WAR

11:01:05

APTN was there to cover the bloody fighting between rebels and government troops in Liberia. Hundreds of civilians died and thousands were forced to flee their homes as the rebels encircled the capital of Monrovia in June. LURD rebels (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy) had been fighting troops loyal to President Charles Taylor for three years in a war that displaced more than one million Liberians.

APTN

File 2000 - Monrovia, Liberia

Liberian President Charles Taylor

APTN

29.6.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Military vehicle with soldiers on back of truck

APTN

26.6.03 - Tugmanburg (35 miles north west of Monrovia), Liberia

Mid shot of rebel Chief of Staff, Seeya Shariff Cobra, walking towards Monrovia

Fighter on van firing

APTN

26.6.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Crowd running out of building as rebels fire in the air to stop them looting

APTN

27.6.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Various close shots of fighters on foot firing

As fighting reached a climax, Taylor vowed to fight to the last man in Monrovia, his last stronghold. But international pressure meant he was soon forced to step down and make way for a West African peacekeeping force, supported by the U.S., to move in.

Liberian Government Video

20.7.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Government fighters firing their weapons wildly

President Charles Taylor passed power on to his designated successor Moses Blah during a long-promised resignation ceremony. His departure marked the end of an era of bloodshed.

Outside, Monrovia's beleaguered people cheered the Nigerian peacekeepers part of a vanguard peace force meant to build to 3,250 West African soldiers - but reserved celebrations over the warlord's resignation until it was official.

APTN

11.09.03 - Executive Mansion, Monrovia

Mid shot of Charles Taylor praying

Moses Blah, Liberian Vice President

With the arrival of 200 American troops to support the West African peace force, rebels finally lifted their siege of the capital. The rebels had pledged to pull out of Monrovia as soon as their demands that warlord president Charles Taylor leave Liberia and that West African peacekeepers deploy had been met. U.S. President George W. Bush - authorising the first U.S. peace mission in Africa since fighting in Somalia killed 18 US troops in 1993 - likewise had ruled out deploying any significant American force until Taylor departed.

APTN

14.09.03 - Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, Liberia

US troops disembarking from helicopters

Various of troops carrying gear

APTN

11.9.03 - Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, Liberia

Taylor boarding plane ready to leave Liberia

In October, businessman Gyude Bryant was sworn in as leader of a two-year transitional government charged with leading Liberia out of 14 years of bloodletting. Elections are due for 2005.

APTN

14.10.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Gyude Bryant swearing oath

SOUNDBITE: (English) Gyude Bryant, Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia

"My people, the war is over" (Ends on upsound of applause)

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA - WALTER SISULU

11:02:20

Walter Sisulu, a charismatic, quiet leader who brought Nelson Mandela into the African National Congress and helped lead the fight against apartheid for five decades, died in May aged 90.

Sisulu, mentor of President Nelson Mandela even before the two were part of a group jailed for life in 1964, had been suffering from a long illness, according to the A.N.C. Throughout the fight against the racist white regime, Sisulu and Mandela stood together. They went on trial together, went to jail together and worked together to

transform the organization from a banned liberation movement to the nation's governing party.

Mandela looked up to the older Sisulu for advice and support through their heady days as political firebrands, during the long, lonely years in prison and finally into South Africa's first democratic government.

Born four months after the formation of the African National Congress in 1912, Sisulu introduced Mandela to politics and later while the two served life sentences in jail, groomed him for the inevitable presidency of South Africa.

After his release from jail in late-1989 Sisulu was elected Deputy President of the A.N.C. but stepped down from high political office in December 1994.

While Mandela became the public face of resistance - and eventually the nation's first black president - Sisulu, perhaps his closest confidant, remained the clear-thinking strategist in the background.

APTN

File - Johannesburg, South Africa

Close up of Walter Sisulu and his wife

APTN

File - Blomfontein, South Africa

Sisulu greeting Nelson Mandela on stage and then greeting Joe Slovo

6.5.03 - Johannesburg, South Africa

SOUNDBITE: (English) Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa

"He was no threat to anybody and as a result rose far, head and shoulders far above us."

APTN

18.5.03 - Johannesburg, South Africa

Wide of podium with VIPs

Framed photo of Walter Sisulu

AFRICA

IDI AMIN DIES

11:03:00

Idi Amin, whose eight years as president of Uganda were characterised by bizarre and murderous behaviour, died at the age of 80 in a Saudi Arabian hospital.

Amin was forced from Uganda in 1979, fled to Libya, then Iraq and finally Saudi Arabia, where he was allowed to settle provided he stayed out of politics.

Ugandans initially welcomed Amin when he took power in 1971, but his popularity plummeted after the East African nation descended into economic chaos and he declared himself president-for-life.

Amin grew increasingly authoritarian, violent and subject to mood swings.

Human rights groups say as many as 500-thousand people were killed during Amin's rule.

APTN

File, January 1971 - Uganda

Former Ugandan president Idi Amin on street with troops during the coup that brought him to power

APTN

File, January 1978 - Koboko, Uganda

Amin stepping down from plane, being greeted by officials

APTN

File, May 1979 - Uganda

Amin at May Day celebrations, various shots of him standing for anthem

Various of Amin dancing with youths at May Day celebrations

AFRICA

ZIMBABWE - TSVANGIRAI TREASON CHARGE

11:03:33

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai faced treason charges following his arrest in June. He was freed on bail after spending two weeks in jail. He was arrested after leading a week of anti-government strikes that shut down much of the already fragile economy. Long-time President Robert Mugabe said Tsvangirai had tried to overthrow his government. If convicted Tsvangirai would face the death penalty.

Tsvangirai ran against Mugabe in last year's elections, which independent observers say were marred by state-orchestrated political violence, intimidation and vote rigging.

The opposition blames Mugabe for crippling the economy and creating acute shortages of fuel, food, medicine and essential imports. Mass famine was avoided this year only by foreign humanitarian aid.

APTN

20.6.03 - Harare, Zimbabwe

Wide shot of exterior of Zimbabwe High Court

Boxes containing bail money and documents being carried into courthouse

Tsvangirai speaking at his home

Close up Tsvangirai seated

Mid shot of Tsvangirai

AFRICA

NIGERIA - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

11:14:06

President Olusegun Obasanjo took the oath of office for a second term as Nigeria's leader in a landmark for civilian-run democracy in Africa's most populous nation.

More than a dozen fellow African leaders watched the ceremony as he was sworn in.

Obasanjo's 1999 election to a first term in a military-run vote, ended 15 years of often brutal, corrupt military rule.

He easily won re-election in April, in a vote that opposition candidates charged was marred by fraud.

International observers expressed concern at the allegations, but none questioned the victory of Obasanjo, a southern Christian, over top rival Muhammad Buhari, a northern Muslim.

Both men were themselves former junta leaders.

APTN

19.4.03 - Abeokuta, Nigeria

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo placing ballot paper in box, makes "peace" sign to media

Voting official at table

Close up ballot paper, showing various political parties

APTN

29.5.03 - Abuja, Nigeria

Obasanjo praying

Obasanjo taking the oath

Judges

AFRICA

ALGERIA - EARTHQUAKE

11:04:37

A devastating earthquake that registered 6.8 magnitude that struck Algeria in May killed over a thousand people. The epicentre was near the town of Boumerdes, just 48 kilometres (30 miles) to the east of Algiers. Rescue workers launched a desperate search to try and uncover the many victims buried under collapsed buildings.

APTN

23.5.03 - Algiers, Algeria

Site of destroyed building

Man on pile of rubble

Man with sniffer dog knocking out pieces of building

Men by collapsed building

Men in street by collapsed building

APTN

24.5.03 - Boumerdes, Algeria

Panning shot, tents set up in the Olympic stadium

AFRICA

AIDS

11:05:17

Former South African President, Nelson Mandela, called on the international community to do more to fight the global threat of AIDS, especially in the developing world.

Mandela spoke at the 2nd International AIDS Society conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment held in Paris in July.

The Former South African President gave an impassioned address, highlighting the lack of anti-viral drugs and AIDS treatment in developing counties and calling it "a travesty of human rights on a global scale."

After Mandela spoke, protesters angry at what they saw as double standards by some governments barracked conference delegates, including South Africa, in their approach to combating AIDS.

The disease has already killed 20 million people, the vast majority in sub-Saharan Africa, and more than 11 million children have lost at least one parent to AIDS.

Thirty million Africans are infected with the disease.

APTN

July 2003 - Sideki, Swaziland, South Africa

Various of AIDS patients lying on hospital ward beds

SOUNDBITE: (English) Nelson Mandela, former South African President

"That the single most important step we must now take is to provide access to treatment throughout the developing world."

ASIA

GEORGIA - VELVET REVOLUTION

11:05:57

After weeks of protests, opposition supporters stormed the Georgian parliament demanding the ousting of President Eduard Shevardnadze. Protesters took to the streets accusing Shevardnadze of rigging recent elections and to show their dissatisfaction with the struggling economy and out of control corruption. While the president fled the scene promising to stay in office, within days he'd been forced to resign. Opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili called it Georgia's "velvet revolution" as the government was overthrown without a shot being fired. Parliamentary speaker, Nino Burdzhanadze took over the interim presidency ahead of fresh elections scheduled for early in the New Year.

APTN

22.11.03 - Tbilisi, Georgia

Crowds outside parliament clapping and cheering

People forcing their way through the doors

Some people climbing through the doors

Opposition leader, Mikhail Saakashvili, surrounded by supporters, shouting at Shevardnadze during speech

Various of scuffles

Shevardnadze watching, surrounded by security

Saakashvili and supporters force their way forward

Pan to Shevardnadze being hurried outside door by security

They get to top table, hit gavel on table, wave flags and cheer

Saakashvili waving at supporters

ASIA

TURKEY HSBC AND CONSULATE BOMBS

11:07:03

Just days after a pair of truck bombs killed 23 people in attacks on two Istanbul synagogues, the Turkish capital was again the target for terrorists. The British consulate and the regional headquarters of the London-based HSBC bank were hit in near simultaneous attacks. Twenty-nine people were killed and several hundred injured. In the following days, Turkish authorities rounded up 18 people connected to Islamic extremist groups believed to be involved in the attacks.

APTN

22.11.03 - Istanbul, Turkey

Wide shot of HSBC building

Damage to building

Pan of Taksim's central square

Wide shot of British consulate, seen at end of street

Various of debris and wrecked cars

Investigators looking at site

Union Jack flag at half-mast

ASIA

TURKEY - EARTHQUAKE

11:08:05

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey in May, which killed 149 people and left over a thousand injured. The worst damage was felt in the town of Bingol, 700 kilometres (430 miles) east of Ankara. Rescue services had to search the wreckage of a school dormitory, which collapsed leaving dozens of children trapped.

APTN

1.5.03 - Bingol, Turkey

Wide shot destroyed school building

Soldiers and people clearing rubble at school

Girl crying and soldiers in foreground

Destroyed school building

Pan of injured child being carried out of destroyed school building

Person being pulled from rubble of apartment block

Dusk shots of rescue efforts at school and people at scene

ASIA

SOUTH KOREA - SUBWAY FIRE

11:08:41

An arsonist who threw a flaming milk carton aboard a subway train in the South Korean city of Daegu caused the deaths of more than 120 people and left another 100 injured. Many of the victims were incinerated by the blaze that engulfed two trains. Train operators were partly to blame for the high death toll. They allowed a second train to pull into the platform even though they knew there was a fire. Police arrested a 46-year-old man, Kim Dae-han, who told police he'd wanted to commit suicide and kill others at the same time.

APTN

18.2.03 - Daegu, South Korea

Smoke over office buildings

Smoke billowing out of subway street vent

Various of carriage

Various of damaged carriage

Various of firemen carrying injured person out of subway

ASIA

MUMBAI BOMB

11:09:18

Islamic militants were blamed for two car bombings that struck India's financial capital Mumbai in September. Forty-six people were killed and 150 wounded in the attacks.

The bombs in two taxis exploded minutes apart, ripping through a crowded jewelry market, the Zaveri Bazaar, and in front of a colonial-era tourist attraction, the Gateway of India.

The Indian government blamed the attack on Muslim extremists they said were backed by Pakistan - sparking fears of increased tensions just when relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours appeared on the mend.

Pakistan, however, condemned the carnage as "wanton targeting of civilians" as world leaders also expressed outrage.

APTN

25.9.03 - Mumbai, India

Ground shot of people in front of monument

Wreckage of taxi

Pan around damaged car with smashed windscreen

Pan around car park from taxi to other damaged cars

ASIA

NORTH KOREA - ANNIVERSARY AND NUCLEAR SITUATION

11:09:55

An estimated one million people paraded through North Korea's capital Pyongyang in September to mark the nation's 55th anniversary, but the customary display of large military hardware was missing.

APTN was given exclusive international access to film the impressive event through Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square.

Approximately 20-thousand soldiers took part in the march but unlike past parades, no tanks or missiles were on display. The troops only carried small arms, including rifles and grenade launchers (RPGs).

Attention was drawn to the march by comments earlier in the week by the North Korean government that it retained the option to "increase its nuclear deterrent force."

It also accused America of wrecking the previous month's talks between North Korea, United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China on ending the standoff over the country's suspected nuclear programme.

The U.S. and South Korea renewed calls for North Korea to halt its nuclear weapons programme during talks in Seoul in November.

APTN

9.9.03 - Pyongyang, North Korea

Wide of Kim Il Sung square

Close up honour guard with machine guns

Wide of parade

Close up of massed troops

Wide of square with North Korean flag formed by crowds

ASIA

IRAN - CONJOINED TWINS

11:10:31

Iranian conjoined twins Laden and Laleh Bijani won the hearts of many with their brave bid to be separated. After years searching the world for a surgeon able to carry out the risky operation it seemed that at last their dream would come true. They flew to Singapore where a team of 28 doctors and 100 medical assistants embarked on the operation. They were given at best a 50-50 chance of survival. It was the first time surgeons had tried to separate adults joined at the head. But despite the bravery of the twins, the story was to end in tragedy. Both died during the course of the operation within 90 minutes of each other. Their deaths provoked shock and grief across Iran, where the nation had been gripped by the twins' courageous battle. The bodies were later flown back to Iran and taken to Tehran's Grand Mosque.

APTN

June 2003 - Singapore

Bijani twins walk into room for briefing

Twins at microphone

2.6.03 - Singapore

Exteriors of Raffles hospital

Picture of the twins' skulls

10.7.03 - Tehran, Iran

Friends of twins, dressed in black walking into Tehran Mehrabad Airport

Coffins being carried through airport

Zoom out from photograph of the twins to man holding newspaper

ASIA

SUU KYI HELD

11:11:09

The plight of Myanmar's pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, continued to cause concern for human rights activists around the world. She spent much of the year detained along with a group of her supporters. When offered her freedom in November, she refused calling for the release of all those detained. Her detention followed clashes in May between her supporters and a pro-junta mob near the northern city of Monywa.

Reports that Suu Kyi had been on hunger strike inspired supporters as far away as Japan to go on hunger strike in September.

APTN

File 2000 - Yangon, Myanmar

Suu Kyi walking through her compound

Wide shot of Suu Kyi's house

APTN

12.6.03 - Monywa, Myanmar

Wide shot of dusty street where Suu Kyi was detained and her car was surrounded

APTN

14.6.03 - Yangon, Myanmar

Man praying at pagoda

13.6.03 - Monywa, Myanmar

Wide shot, entrance to university

5.9.03 - Tokyo, Japan

Wide shot, pro-democracy activists on hunger strike in front of Myanmar embassy

Various activists on hunger strike

NORTH AMERICA

SPACE SHUTTLE TRAGEDY

11:11:47

A Catastrophic end for the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. While re-entering the earth's atmosphere at the end of a 16-day mission the orbiter disintegrated leaving a white streak across the Texas sky. The loss of shuttle commander Rick Husband, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Indian-born Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, William McCool and Israeli, Ilan Ramon brought a new round of grief to a nation still in mourning after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Over the coming days wreckage was found strewn across the southern states and even into Mexico. The tragedy called into question the future of NASA's manned space mission and the safety of the ageing Space Shuttle programme. The accident was blamed on damage to Columbia's protective thermal tiles on the left wing from a flying piece of debris during liftoff on January 16.

NASA TV

16.1.03 - Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA

Various of space shuttle launching

NASA TV

File

Still photo of crew

APTN

2.2.03 - Houston, Texas

Entrance to Johnson Space Centre

Close up sign

Zoom in to child putting flowers down

NORTH AMERICA

SCHWARZENEGGER GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA

11:12:24

Movie action-hero Arnold Schwarzenegger made a successful transition into politics winning the governorship of America's richest state, California. He overcame charges of sexual misconduct by 15 women to win the seat for the Republican party from outgoing Democrat Gray Davis. A field of 135 candidates stood for election in the recall ballot.

APTN

3.10.03 - Arcadia, California, USA

Wide shot of Arnold Schwarzenegger throwing T-shirt to crowd at rally

APTN

5.9.03 - Los Angeles, California

Candidates listed on recall ballot list

APTN

30.9.03 - Los Angeles, California, USA

People voting in recall election at early polling station

APTN

7.9.03 - Los Angeles, California, USA

California Governor Gray Davis (in blue shirt standing on top of bus) waving to crowd during parade

NORTH AMERICA

MICHAEL JACKSON ARREST

11:13:00

Pop star Michael Jackson faces charges of child molestation that could destroy the superstar's career and send him to prison for years. He appeared at a Santa Barbara jail in November to be charged before being released after posting bail set at 3 million U.S. dollars.

Jackson is charged by the state with lewd or lascivious acts with a child under age 14, punishable by three to eight years in prison.

Jackson had been in Las Vegas filming a music video when dozens of law enforcement agents swarmed his Neverland Ranch compound near Santa Barbara to serve a search warrant.

Similar allegations surfaced against Jackson a decade ago, but they never led to criminal charges and in 1994 the probe became inactive.

Jackson had maintained his innocence but reportedly paid a multimillion-dollar civil settlement and the child would not testify in any criminal proceeding.

POOL

20.11.03 - Santa Barbara, California, USA

Various Jackson convoy arrives at Santa Barbara County main jail gates

Jackson leaves car wearing handcuffs

APTN

Michael Jackson mug shot

Close up details and booking number

POOL

2.12.03 - Santa Maria, California, USA

Jackson puts hand over camera

NORTH AMERICA

POWER BLACKOUT

11:13:35

The lights went out across New York State, spreading as far as New England, Ohio, Michigan and into Canada in September. The blackout was the largest in U.S. history in terms of the number of people affected. Commuters were left stranded and flights at key airports were suspended. Many feared at the time the blackout was the result of a terrorist attack. It turned out that a minor power plant emergency in Ohio was to blame. FirstEnergy's Eastlake plant shutdown after a problem with an alarm system. The emergency led to the cutting off of a major supply route that fed into the massive electrical grid for the region. A major investigation was launched to prevent a repeat of the incident.

APTN

15.9.03 - New York, USA

Time Square

People buying and reading newspapers with headlines about blackout

Various of people sitting or lying on pavement

APTN

14.9.03 - New York, USA

Various shots of Madison Square Garden in the dark, lots of people waiting outside in the dark

11:19:55

APTN

14.9.03 - New York, USA

Various of people trapped inside a subway train with alarm ringing

NORTH AMERICA

HURRICANE ISABEL

11:14:12

APTN

Hurricane Isabel ploughed into America's eastern seaboard in September resulting in the deaths of 28 people, mostly in traffic related accidents. Winds in excess of 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph) lashed North Carolina's Outer Banks before the storm headed inland affecting Virginia, Maryland and later petering out over Canada. Some 1.4 million homes were left without power during the storm that led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from high risk low lying areas.

18.9.03 - Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

Sea foam at Virginia Beach

18.9.03 - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA

Gas station in heavy wind, debris detaches in high winds

18.9.03 - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, USA

Ambulance on flooded road

Vehicles in flood waters

SOUTH AMERICA

VENEZUELA - ANTI CHAVEZ PROTESTS TURN VIOLENT

11:14:48

Venezuela's already crippled economy took a further beating during a national strike which lasted nine weeks but failed to achieve its goal of forcing President Hugo Chavez out of office. Thousands of people marched through the streets on a daily basis to show their opposition to Chavez and his leftist policies. Clashes between opposition groups and Chavez supporters left dozens injured.

Despite the collapse of the strike in February, opposition groups managed to gather 3 million signatures demanding a referendum on Chavez's rule, which they presented to the government in August. An electoral body for failing to meet technical requirements later rejected the petition.

APTN

3.1.03 - Caracas, Venezuela

Overhead shot - some protesters - Chavez opponents - breaking through police lines

Overhead shot Chavez opponents clashing with police, zoom out to smoke, crowd dispersing and tear gas being fired

APTN

3.1.03 - Caracas, Venezuela

Police lines in front of demonstration by Chavez supporters

Opposition demonstrators running with pistol

Opposition demonstrator shoots several times at Pro-Chavez supporters

People on the ground trying to run away from shoot out

Various of policemen lying on the ground to protect themselves against gun shots

Wide shot of car on fire

SOUTH AMERICA

BOLIVIA - MUDSLIDE

11:15:27

The mining town of Chima in Bolivia's jungle lowlands was hit by a mudslide in April. Rescue workers were hampered from reaching the site by treacherous road conditions caused by bad weather. Over a hundred families were left homeless by the slide and more than 40 people were killed.

APTN

1.4.03 - Chima, La Paz, Bolivia

Pan of destruction after landslide

Mid shot of men digging looking for bodies

Wide shot of rescue workers searching for people

Pan of town to crumble mountain

Various of destruction

SOUTH AMERICA

CHILE - TRIBUTE TO THE VICTIMS OF PINOCHET ENDS IN CLASHES

11:16:05

An annual tribute to victims of the regime of Chile's General Augusto Pinochet ended in clashes between demonstrators and police at Santiago's main cemetery in September. Police fired tear gas and used water cannons on the crowd. Organisers blamed infiltrators and vandals who threw rocks and Molotov cocktails for starting the violence. More than five thousand people had marched 20 blocks peacefully before the clashes broke out. September 11 marks the anniversary of the 1973 coup in which Pinochet ousted Marxist President Salvador Allende.

APTN

14.9.03 - Santiago, Chile

March commemorating Chilean President Salvador Allende's death in 1973

Demonstrators holding stills of disappeared during Chile's military regime

Demonstrators setting US flags on fire

Demonstrator throwing fire bomb

Police running away from scene

Water cannons approaching scene

Demonstrators throwing fire bombs

Riot police charging towards demonstrators

SOUTH AMERICA

COLOMBIA - KIDNAPPINGS

11:16:41

Colombian rebels kidnapped a group of 8 foreign tourists from the archaeological ruins known as the Lost City in the Sierra Nevada mountains in September. One of the hostages, British teenager Matthew Scott, escaped days later by hurling himself down a precipice. Camouflaged gunmen of the leftist National Liberation Army, or E.L.N., took the group hostage and led them off into the jungle. Reinhilt Weigel of Germany and Spaniard Asier Huegen Echeverria were released two months later, and the rebels promised to release the rest of the group by Christmas.

Colombia has the world's highest kidnap rate at 3-thousand per year, with most of the abductions carried out for ransoms by the E.L.N. and the larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or F.A.R.C.

The rebel groups use the money from kidnappings and the drugs trade to fund a civil war that has been running for nearly 40 years. The kidnappings were a setback to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe who declared all-out war on both rebel groups with the help of millions of dollars in military aid from the U.S. government.

APTN

16.9.03 - Undisclosed location, Sierra Nevada mountains, Colombia

Aerial view of Sierra Nevada mountains

APTN

File 2001

Pull out of FARC guerrillas in the former safe haven

Guerrillas walking

Mid shot of guerrillas walking with weapons

APTN

16.9.03 - Santa Marta, Colombia

Various of streets and hostel where some foreigners were staying

APTN

24.11.03 - Valledupar, Colombia

Various Reinhilt Weigel and Asier Huegen Echeverra speaking on satellite phone to their families

SOUTH AMERICA

ARGENTINA - PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION AND ECONOMIC CRISIS

11:17:18

Argentina's economic woes continued to deepen during 2003. An International Monetary Fund loan of 12.5 billion U.S. dollars over the next three years was agreed in September to help the country out of its crisis. But Argentina had already defaulted on a debt of 90 billion U.S. dollars and there was little sign of an upturn in the nations' fortunes. Argentineans were already suffering after 5 years of recession, record unemployment and a massive currency devaluation.

Incoming president Nestor Kirchner was given the task of rebuilding the country. His mandate was weak, gaining office only after former President Carlos Menem dropped out of an election runoff. Kirchner campaigned on promises to defend domestic jobs and industry after more than a decade of unbridled free market policies.

POOL

25.5.03 - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Outgoing President Eduardo Duhalde putting on presidential sash to Nestor Kirchner

APTN

16.1.03 - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Various shots of Buenos Aires stock exchange

Various of exchange rate signs

Pull out from bank sign to wide shot of fortified bank

Wide shot of fortified Citibank

Graffiti on bank wall

OCEANIA

SOLOMON ISLANDS - CYCLONE

11:17:55

A cyclone hit the remote Temotu province of the Solomon Islands in January causing damage to the tiny islands of Tikopia and Anuta. With winds of over 360 kilometres per hour (225 miles per hour) Cyclone Zoe wiped out communications to the islands and devastated homes and crops. It took nine days for rescue workers the stricken islands. While badly damaged, the islands suffered no casualties from among their 3,700 inhabitants.

POOL

2.1.03 - Tikopia Island, Solomon Islands

Aerial shots of Tikopia island, showing fallen trees and damaged buildings

Tikopia island below amongst clouds

POOL

2.1.03 - Honiara, Solomon Islands

Beach with boats and palm trees

Coastline

POPE

POPE IN SPAIN, SLOVAKIA AND CROATIA

11:18:32

Defying his failing health, Pope John Paul II maintained a gruelling schedule of pilgrimages during 2003. The pope suffers from Parkinson's disease and looked increasingly frail during the course of the year. The pontiff, who turned 83 this year, paid visits to Spain, Slovakia and Croatia. His trip to Croatia marked his 100th pilgrimage and in October he celebrated the 25th anniversary of his papacy.

During the year he courted controversy by speaking out against the war in Iraq.

POOL

3.5.03 - Madrid, Spain

Aerial shot airbase with thousands gathered

Various shots of pope being driven through crowds in bullet proof car

Various pope being wheeled onto stage on trolley waving to crowds

Two shots pope waving

POOL

4.5.03 - Madrid, Spain

King and Queen go up to receive blessing

POOL

9.6.03 - Zadar, Croatia

High wide of crowd attending open-air liturgy by Pope John Paul II

Close up pope speaking

High shot of crowd and buildings

Nuns waving from a window

Pope

11:19:36

APTN

11.9.03 - Bratislava, Slovakia

Pope with president and his wife at president's residence

Close up Pope

APTN

11.9.03 - Tvarna, Slovakia

Interior of church

Pope moving up aisle with entourage

Pope speaking to crowd

Man holding hands with pope

SADDAM LOOKALIKES

11:20:12

Saddam Hussein may still be in hiding, but his look-alikes were out in force in London in May as they took part in an open audition to play the former Iraqi leader.

The candidates showed up at the Riverside Studios in west London - donning black berets, khaki flak jackets and black moustaches - in the hope of winning the part of one of the world's most wanted men in a new West End show.

If one of Saddam's known body doubles had attended the audition, he would have done well.

The actors clamouring to play the part included one woman and men - all much taller, smaller, fatter, thinner and paler than the real thing.

APTN

1.5.03 - London, UK

Auditions Saddam Hussein look-alike contest

Various of Saddam Hussein look-alikes walking through street

Saddam Hussein look-alike waving, show director watching

Saddam Hussein contestants posing for camera

ITALIANS KILLED IN IRAQ

11:20:48

Twenty-eight people were killed, including 19 Italians, when a suicide bomber blew up a truck full of explosives outside an Italian military base in Iraq in November. It was Italy's single worst military loss since World War II. The attack is likely to hasten calls for a speeded-up transition of power to Iraqis and a full pullout of Italian troops. Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's government supported the U.S. led war in Iraq, sending troops to the region, despite the opposition of the majority of his people.

APTN

12.11.03 - Nasiriyah, southern Iraq

Various of smoke following explosion outside Italian headquarters

Various of injured people in hospital

Various security following attacks

SADDAM HUSSEIN CAPTURED

11:21:38

Baghdad, 14 Dec 2003

SOUNDBITE: (English) Paul Bremer, US administrator:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we got him!"

Wide shot showing journalists cheering, pulls into show Bremer looking

close to tears, pulls out to wide shot

SOUNDBITE: (English) Paul Bremer, US administrator:

"Saddam Hussein was captured on Saturday, December 13 at about 8:30p.m.

(17:30 GMT) local in a cellar in the town of Dour which is about 15

kilometres (9 miles) south of Tikrit"

Map showing area where Saddam was found by coalition forces .

US Military Video

Location Unknown - 14 Dec 2003

Mute

Various of hole where Saddam Hussein was found

Various of Saddam Hussein undergoing medical checks

Close-up of Saddam Hussein

ENDS: 11:23:40

World News Review 2003

Sound: Nat Sot

IRAQ

PRE-WAR

10:00:30

Despite the pressure being applied by the international community for Iraq to disarm, President Saddam Hussein remained defiant. At a meeting with commanders of the Al-Quds volunteer army in January, Saddam warned any invaders they would face formidable opposition.

Iraqi TV

8.1.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Mid shot Saddam Hussein's son, Qusay Hussein, head of the Republican Guard, sitting with military commanders

Zoom in to Saddam Hussein addressing commanders

Saddam's son Qusay listening

Saddam Hussein speaking (smoking cigar)

10:00:50

The discovery of 11 undeclared but empty chemical warheads at an ammunition depot south of Baghdad led to debate as to whether this constituted a breach under U.N. Resolution 1441. The U.S. saw the discovery as further evidence supporting their case for war. But the Iraqis claimed they had declared the warheads in an earlier report to the U.N.

A war of words developed between Washington and Baghdad - both sides refusing to back down in the standoff.

Iraqi Government Video

16.1.03 - Ukhaydir depot, Iraq

Close up pan of warhead still in protective wrapping

Various of inspectors taking a closer look at an artillery shell

UN inspector screws open the nose cone of the shell and looks inside

10:01:07

APTN

21/1/03 - Washington DC, USA

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"He's been told to disarm for eleven long years. He's not disarming. This business about more time - how much time do we need to know that he's not disarming? As I said, this looks like a rerun of a bad movie and I'm not interested in watching it."

10:01:26

Iraqi Youth TV

23.1.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Uday Hussein, son of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein

"If they used air strikes against us, then what happened on September 11th, it will look like a joke. They will know the real price they are going to pay."

10:01:52

U.S. Marines patrolling the Persian Gulf as part of the Amphibious Ready Group remained on standby, ready for the call to go into combat. Some had already been away from home for five months.

POOL

27/28.1.03 - Onboard U.S.S. Nassau

Harrier takes off

Ch 46 Helicopter

27/28.1.03 - Onboard U.S.S. Tortuga

Hovercraft exits

Hovercraft at sea

27/28.1.03 - Onboard U.S.S. Nassau

Dusk deck

27/28.1.03 - Onboard U.S.S. Tortuga

Ship at sea

Navigator on bridge

Sailor checks settings

Marines

10:02:40

While calling for international support and a second U.N. Security Council resolution, British Prime Minister Tony Blair made clear time was running out for Saddam Hussein to comply with weapons inspectors. After a Washington meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, Blair said matters would come to a head within weeks, not months.

POOL

31.1.03 - Washington DC, USA

SOUNDBITE: (English) Tony Blair, British Prime Minister

"The original resolution 1441 we made it clear that failure to disarm would lead to serious consequences."

10:02:51

In a show of military might, Iraqi soldiers marched through the streets of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, commemorating the graduation day for recruits of the Al-Quds Army Training Facility. It served as a clear demonstration of the force an invading army would have to encounter. Looking on were Saddam Hussein and his sons Uday and Qusay.

APTN

4.2.03 - Mosul, Iraq

Wide shot of thousands of soldiers marching

Militia marching

Special forces running in parade

Vice Chairman Revolutionary Command Council Izzat Ibrahim saluting

Soldiers dressed up as suicide bombers marching

10:03:15

Iraqi TV

4.2.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Saddam Hussein with son Qusay (seated to his right in tan suit)

Close up Uday Hussein

Saddam smiling and smoking his cigar

Pullout from Uday to Saddam

Qusay with aide

10:03:38

Perhaps in another effort to sway international opinion, foreign journalists were invited to visit a missile factory outside Baghdad that had recently been searched by U.N. weapons inspectors. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell had claimed the Fath missiles based there exceeded the 150-kilometre range limit set out by U.N. resolution 687. Iraqi authorities denied the allegation.

APTN

7.2.03 - El Mutasim - 70 km (45 miles) south west of Baghdad

Missile on tail fin

Pan over missile

10:03:51

UN inspection teams visited the Al-Muthanna factory, which had once been Iraq's main chemical weapons research and production facility. There they encountered a number of mustard-filled shells. Nothing new about the discovery though - they'd previously been inventoried by weapons inspectors in 1998.

APTN

13.2.03 - Al-Muthanna Missile and Chemical Facility, 70 kilometres northwest of Baghdad

Various of barrels of chemicals

Wide of barrels (blue) containing mustard gas

Wide barrels and canisters where mustard gas was destroyed

10:04:02

Relations between key members of the U.N. Security Council became increasingly strained. While the U.S. and Britain sought support for a second resolution allowing military intervention, a stalemate was reached when the French President Jacques Chirac said his government would veto military action. Hopes of achieving a consensus became ever more remote.

APTN

18.2.03 - Washington DC, USA

Cutaway of Bush

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"We are working with our friends, as I said a second resolution (of the UN Security Council) would be useful, we don't need as second resolution. It's clear this guy couldn't even care less about the first resolution."

10:04:15

POOL

10.2.03 - Paris, France

SOUNDBITE: (French) Jacques Chirac, French President

Question: "What's your main position at the moment?"

Chirac: "No matter what circumstances we will vote 'no', because we consider, at this time, that there is no place for going to war to achieve the objective that we all want at the moment, that is the disarmament of Iraq."

10:04:33

POOL

11.3.03 - London, UK

SOUNDBITE: (English) Tony Blair, British Prime Minister

"If France or any other country is simply going to say we will veto, no matter what, that's obviously a very difficult situation."

10:04:45

At an emergency summit held in the Azores, the leaders of the U.S., Britain, Spain and Portugal issued a call for unity among members of the U.N. Security Council. Bush said the time of diplomacy was entering its "moment of truth".

But the anti-war nations led by France, Germany and Russia were not to back down. They maintained there was no justification for war while weapons inspectors were continuing their work in Iraq. If war were to come, it would be without the endorsement of the United Nations.

SIC/White House Pool

16.3.03 - Terceira, The Azores

US President George W. Bush, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Durao Barroso, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"We concluded that tomorrow is a moment of truth for the world. Many nations have voiced a commitment to peace and security and now they must demonstrate that commitment to peace and security in the only effective way, by supporting the immediate and unconditional disarmament of Saddam Hussein."

Leaders at podium

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

Reporter: "When you say tomorrow is the moment of truth does that mean that tomorrow's the last day that the resolution can be voted up or down and at the end of the day tomorrow one way or the other the diplomatic window has closed?"

Bush: "Yes, that's what I'm saying."

10:05:30

APTN

16.3.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Iraqi officials listening to Bush addresses at the Azores summit on TV at ministry of information

Close up of TV set

Cutaway of minders

10:05:41

On the 17th March, President Bush gave his final ultimatum to the Iraqi leadership - leave the country within 48 hours, or face war. To the Iraqi people he promised liberation.

POOL

17.3.03 - Washington DC, USA

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"All the decades of deceit and cruelty have now reached an end. Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict, commenced at a time of our choosing. For their own safety, all foreign nationals, including journalists and inspectors, should leave Iraq immediately."

Pull back view of reporter looking at TV monitor

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"If we must begin a military campaign, it will be directed against the lawless men who rule your country (Iraq) and not against you. As our coalition takes away their power, we will deliver the food and medicine you need. We will tear the apparatus of terror and we will help you to build a new Iraq that is prosperous and free. In a free Iraq, there will be no more wars of aggression against your neighbours, no more poison factories, no more executions of dissidents, no more torture chambers and rape rooms. The tyrant will soon be gone. The day of your liberation is near."

IRAQ

WAR

++BROADCASTERS PLEASE NOTE UNDER US/UK EMBEDDING RULES AND THE GENEVA CONVENTION THE FACES OF POWS SHOULD BE DISGUISED WHERE IDENTIFIABLE++

10:07:04

It was no longer a matter of if, but when the order to strike would come. Final preparations were being made among the British and American troops waiting across the border in Kuwait.

POOL

19.3.03 - Kuwait

Soldier in tank taking off goggles and mask

Line of vehicles

10:07:13

In Baghdad, people awaited with fear and trepidation the inevitable aerial bombardment.

APTN was aboard the U.S.S. Constellation in the Gulf and broadcast live pictures of the first take-offs of U.S. jets on bombing missions over Iraq.

APTN

19.3.03 - Kuwait

Various of soldier packing ammunition

Low shot underside of tank as it moves off

10:07:31

APTN

19.3.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shot of traffic on the streets of Baghdad

Various of men locking up shop fronts

Various of shops locked up

10.054

APTN

19.3.03 - Aboard U.S.S. Constellation in the Gulf

Vice Admiral Timothy J. Keating, U.S. Fifth Fleet commander walks on to stage, greets assembled troops with a victory gesture

Audience applauding

SOUNDBITE: (English) Vice Admiral Timothy J. Keating, U.S. Fifth Fleet commander

"Make no mistake, when the president says go, look out - it's hammer time - okay? It is hammer time."

10:08:11

In Washington, President Bush announced the start of hostilities.

Live pictures were already being broadcast by APTN showing the first wave of bombs landing on Baghdad. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein wasn't given the opportunity to finish his address to the nation - his broadcast on terrestrial Iraqi television was cut short by a U.S. bomb attack. Viewers on other Arab networks were able to see the whole message. In it Saddam claimed his forces would be victorious.

POOL

19.3.03 - Washington, DC, USA

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger."

10.08:34

US Navy

20.3.03 - Unknown location

Various of Tomahawk cruise missiles being launched from the USS Donal Cook

10.08:39

Iraqi TV

20.3.03 - Iraq

Graphic of Iraqi flag

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Saddam Hussein, President of Iraq

"Just before dawn on the 20.3.03 the aggression has started." (TV signal drops out)

Colour bars appear on screen

In the coming days, Baghdad was to experience a massive aerial bombardment. All part of the Pentagon's "shock and awe" campaign designed to bludgeon the Iraqi military into surrender. Saddam and his palaces were a key target for the onslaught. Despite using the latest guided missiles, U.S. bombs failed to take out the Iraqi leader - much to the satisfaction of his supporters.

APTN

20.3.03 - Baghdad

Pull out from girl looking at camera, girl and boys run, AUDIO siren

10:09:12

POOL

20.3.03 - Gulf

F-117 approaching to land

F-117 Landing and deploying drag chute

10:09:20

APTN

20.3.03 - Baghdad

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, Iraqi Information Minister

Question: "Was Saddam Hussein near any of those places?"

Al-Sahaf: "We said those villains, in particular the villain Bush, he said and the British Defence Minister, they said, the Pentagon said, they have striked Iraq with 40 cruises missiles in order to assassinate President Saddam Hussein. The natural answer came when his Excellency Saddam Hussein delivered his speech. So, not only they are disappointed, I think they are now hysterical."

10:09:55

In northern Iraq, Kurdish militiamen prepared to join in the fight against Iraqi troops within hours of the aerial strikes getting underway.

APTN

20.3.03 - Kalaq, northern Iraq

Militiamen looking through binoculars at Iraqi checkpoint in distance

Fighters standing with weapons

10:10:03

As the aerial bombardment on Iraqi targets continued, allied troops made their first incursions into Iraqi territory. It was not long before the first Iraqi troops began surrendering.

APTN

21.3.03 - Baghdad

Night vision footage missiles hitting Baghdad building, AUDIO of missile fire, large plumes of smoke coming from building

Explosion over Baghdad skyline

Explosion lights up skyline

Presidential palace on fire, black smoke pouring out

10:10:40

APTN

21.3.03 - northern Kuwait (near border with Iraq)

Various of 155 mm Howitzers firing shots into Iraq

Various British artillery troops preparing for action

Troops lying down, aiming guns

10:10:53

Iraqi TV

21.3.03 - southern Iraq

Iraqi man kneeling down and holding white flag in surrender, British soldier motions for him to walk forward, then to turn and kneel to be searched

British soldier searching surrendering Iraqi

Low shot of line of about ten Iraqis in civilian clothing walking with their hands on their heads

Iraqi man with white flag

Close shot British soldier holding rifle in foreground surrendering Iraqis walking in background

10:11:19

In the southern town of Safwan, U.S. Marines tore down giant street portraits of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, to the cheers of some local residents.

British commandos, meanwhile, were able to secure oilfields in the south, a priority during the early stages of the war for the coalition.

POOL

21.3.03 - Safwan, Iraq

U.S. marines driving in Safwan, zoom in to huge picture of Saddam Hussein on roadside

10:11:25

US Army and Airforce Hometown News Service

21.3.03 - Unknown location, the Gulf

Wide shot of Tornado taxiing

Close up Union Jack flag

Wide shot of fighter taking off

10:11:48

POOL

22.3.03 - southern Iraq

42 Commando Royal Marines firing wire-guided missile before they move in to secure oil fields

Marines looking through binoculars

Various of 42 Commando marines on sandbanks

10:12:02

An APTN crew aboard the U.S.S. John McCain had a near miss while filming the launch of Tomahawk missiles. They were nearly hit by a misfired missile that came within two metres of them before exploding over the sea.

APTN

22.3.03 - U.S.S. John . McCain, northern Persian Gulf

Various shots of Tomahawk missiles being launched

10:12:18

Iraqi officials, keen to score points in the propaganda war, took the international media to visit civilian sites hit by the bombings. One site visited was a leisure complex for newly wed couples to honeymoon.

APTN

22.3.03 - Baghdad

Tracking shot past buildings with plumes of black smoke in background

Tracking shot on highway with plums of black smoke

UPSOUND: (Arabic) "Bush, Bush, the criminal", men chanting

Wide shot of damage to building

10:12:35

In the south, U.S. marines of the Fighting 61st Marine Reconnaissance Company advancing into Iraq were clearly too late to stop departing Iraqi soldiers torching oilfields, before they could seize them intact.

In a boost for the coalition, American and British troops captured the Iraqi town of Umm Qasr. The port was to become a vital staging post for bringing aid and military supplies into Iraq.

As U.S. troops continued the push northwards, British troops tried to clear the al-Faw peninsula after several days of skirmishes with Iraqi resistance.

Oil fires were still burning at the Rumeila oil field - a day after U.S.-led coalition troops captured the area whose daily output of one point three SIC/White House Pool million barrels made it Iraq's most productive.

POOL

22.3.03 - southern Iraq

Welcome to Iraq - from the Fighting 61st. (US Marine Reconnaissance Company) 'Have a Nice Day' sign at side of road

Various driving past burning oil wells

10:12:52

POOL

22.3.03 - Umm Qasr, Iraq

Allied soldier standing beside picture of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein

Sign that reads "You are approaching the DMZ"

Umm Qasr police station sign

Pan from building to soldier with gun sitting on top of military vehicle

Various of tanks and gunfire

10:13:23

POOL

22.3.03 - southern Iraq

Various of U.K. Royal Marines in motorboats with Iraq prisoners

Pan line of prisoners

Various more prisoners held in desert

Mid shot Iraqi weapons

10:13:46

APTN

22.3.03 - Iraq

Elevated shot of U.S. convoy

10:13:55

POOL

22.3.03 - Umm Qasr, Iraq

Mid shot troops firing missile from launcher

Explosion in building UPSOUND troops cheering and shouting

10:14:04

POOL

21.3.03 - Al-Faw, Iraq

Various of troops in position, then advancing

Various of troops advancing, firing guns

10:14:23

POOL

23.3.03 - Al-Rumeila, Iraq

Low shot oil pipeline on ground, fire in distance

10:14:28

From the Central Command centre at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, U.S. led coalition forces claimed to be making "rapid and in some cases dramatic" progress in Iraq. On a daily basis, fresh images were released showing the success of precision bombing runs. In the battle for hearts and minds, also on display were leaflets to be dropped over Iraq giving Iraqi soldiers advice on how to surrender.

POOL

24.3.03 - Qatar

Various showing video footage of precision bombing of Iraqi positions

Leaflet dropped telling Iraqi soldiers to abandon their weapons

Leaflet dropped telling Iraqis not to poison their waterways by dumping oil

Leaflets telling Iraqi soldiers how to surrender

10:14:53

Night vision video showed a handful of soldiers from the 4th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment on foot patrol in the desert, carrying assault rifles and wearing night-vision equipment.

The Australian Department of Defence did not identify where the soldiers were operating, only that they were in the "theatre of war" as part of Australia's Special Forces Task Group.

Australian Department of Defence

23.3.03 - Undisclosed location

Australian coalition soldiers on night patrol (nightscope)

Close up Australian soldier

10:15:03

APTN

24.3.03 - Baghdad

Top wide shot pans across to damaged buildings

10:15:07

By March 25, British troops deemed the town of Umm Qasr secure. Desperate Iraqis were able to come forward to claim food and water from the first aid shipments to enter the town.

POOL

25.3.03 - Umm Qasr and DMZ, Iraq

Various of truck with aid and people taking packages

Boy looking though binoculars

10:15:16

British forces on the outskirts of Basra targeted Iraqi tanks and artillery. In what was to become their stiffest test so far, troops were to encounter stiff resistance from the Iraqi forces defending the city. APTN was the first to broadcast live from Basra Bridge as the battle for the city raged for several days. Clients also gained exclusive footage from Rumeila of the oil fires and U.S. and Kuwaiti efforts to cap the flames. Our cameras were also there to broadcast live pictures from Safwan as Iraqis rioted on the arrival of food aid to the town.

POOL

25.3.03 - Outskirts of Basra, southern Iraq

Various British troops firing shells towards Basra

Wide shot tank exploding (controlled explosion by British troops)

10:15:24

POOL

24.3.03 - Rumeila, Iraq

Wide of arms cache

Soldier standing guard near captured weapons

10:15:30

APTN

26.3.03 - Baghdad

Newspaper "The Republic" headlines "Fight them, God will punish them through your hands and curse them and will make you victorious"

10:15:34

APTN

26.3.03 - Safwan, southern Iraq

Various of food being distributed from trucks

10:15:49

APTN had dramatic pictures of a U.S. Army Paladin artillery vehicle misfiring a shell and catching fire during an artillery engagement with Iraqi forces north of Najaf. The 1st Batallion of the 41st Field Artillery had been engaged in some of the heaviest fighting of the war so far.

APTN

27.3.03 - Najaf, Iraq

Various wides of U.S. troops in dust storm, north of Najaf - light appears very red due to dust

Battalion's flag on one of the vehicles

Various of troops inside U.S. command post preparing to attack Iraqi positions

Wide exterior of another Paladin vehicle misfiring, small fire flares at end of gun barrel

Various of vehicle on fire, smoke

10:16:26

APTN

27.3.03 - Kifi, north of Najaf, Iraq

Wide shot of broken window (reflection of A.P.C. passing), zoom in to painting of New York skyline with World Trade Centre on interior wall

Close up of gunner on moving vehicle pan to gun barrel

10:16:42

APTN

27.3.03 - Baghdad

Aftermath of missile strike

Burnt out car

Burnt out car in front of damaged building

10:16:57

Two United States Navy "mammal marine systems" - better known as dolphins - were brought in to Umm Qasr to help with the hunt for marine mines.

The dolphins were trained in San Diego to detect marine mines with their natural sonar. When mines are discovered, the dolphins are removed from the area before the mines are detonated. With their help, coalition forces were able to deem the port safe and the task of shipping in supplies and aid could begin.

POOL

28.3.03 - The Gulf

Dolphin surfaces beside U.S. Navy rubber boat, handler checks it, it dives again

Dolphin jumping and diving

Wide shot of channel with British Royal Navy ship, Sir Galahad, coming into port carrying aid

10:17:15

In Baghdad, a stray U.S. missile landed in the Al Naser market in a residential district killing 14 and injuring a further 30 people.

With coalition forces making major inroads in the south, Iraqi authorities began to show signs of denial. Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, Iraq's Information minister, was soon dubbed "Comical Ali" for his wildly implausible claims of victory.

APTN

28.3.03 - Baghdad

Night shop of wrapped bodies in wooden coffins being carried from back of truck

POOL

28.3.03 - southern Iraq

View over makeshift bridge

Various of soldiers firing mortars

Blazing rockets in the air

POOL

28.3.03 - Basra, Iraq

Pan from smoke rising over city of Basra to bridge

Various of British soldiers checking people and vehicles coming from Basra

10:18:00

APTN

28.3.03 - Baghdad

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, Iraqi Information Minister

"It's a fair belief that we are winning this war and we will win the war. The final (result) will be an Iraqi victory."

10:18:12

APTN

29.3.03 - Rumeila Oil Field, Iraq

Soldiers guarding wells

Camels in front of oil well fires

10:18:23

U.S. and U.K. forces continued their efforts to secure areas in southern Iraq by destroying abandoned Iraqi munitions and conducting dawn raids on the homes of suspected Iraqi militants.

Acting on tip-offs from informers, British Royal Marines from 42 Commando unit raided houses in the Um Kayal region at daybreak.

They were searching for Iraqi soldiers, secret police or other members of Saddam Hussein's regime.

POOL

29.3.03 - Um Kayal, southern Iraq

+++PLEASE NOTE: Shots contain obscene language+++

British troops taking occupants prisoner, making them sit on ground with hands on head

10:18:36

British forces targeted Iraqi communications facilities and symbols of Saddam Hussein's rule.

In towns captured by the coalition forces the clean up operation continued. At this stage, the Iraqi civilian population largely welcomed the invading forces.

POOL

30.3.03 - near Basra, Iraq

British Challenger tank firing shells at TV mast, after the last one is fired the tower begins to topple

10:18:45

APTN

30.3.03 - Umm Qasr, Iraq

Wide shot of Saddam mural splashed with red paint

10:18:49

Iraqi TV

29/30.3.03 - Najaf area, Iraq

Masked tradesmen with weapons singing next to captured equipment

10:18:57

The air attacks on Baghdad continued unabated in preparation for an assault on the city by ground forces. By March 30, coalition forces had dropped six thousand precision-guided bombs since the start of hostilities. The U.S had also launched some 675 Tomahawk cruise missiles.

APTN

30.3.03 - Fairford Air Force base, UK

B52 bomber taking off

10:19:11

Troops from the Brigade Reconnaissance Force of the Royal Marines' 3 Commando exchanged heavy fire with a civilian force of Ba'ath Party militia fighters and Fedayeen paramilitaries at Abu Al Khasib, a few kilometres from Basra.

Abu Al Khasib was one of the last Iraqi defensive positions before the gates of Basra.

POOL

30/31.3.03 - Abu al Khasib, near Basra, Iraq

Night vision - tilt up of marine firing flare, mortar and gunshot into the air

Shot of Royal Marine firing automatic weapon

10:19:27

POOL

30/31.3.03 - Abu al Khasib, near Basra, Iraq

Daylight shots - Various of British artillery pieces firing

Various of mobile British 155 mm guns on move

10:19:45

While searching a school building in Zubayr, coalition troops found an arms cache including guns, rocket propelled grenades, hand grenades and mortar rounds.

The classrooms were still decorated with children's artwork and portraits of President Saddam Hussein.

POOL

31.3.03 - Zubayr, Iraq

Close shot of soldier's boots walking on portrait of Saddam Hussein labelled "Please wipe feet" in marker pen

10:19:48

As British troops advanced towards Basra, the Royal Engineers were using an armoured bridge layer to allow vehicles to cross obstacles on the way to the city. Bulldozers were used to dispose of Iraqi vehicles, toppling them over to prevent them from being used again.

POOL

31.3.03 - near Basra, Iraq

Engineers' bulldozer pushing Iraqi vehicle backwards

10:19:58

A U.S. led air assault bombarded Iraqi positions in the north, near the Kurdish town of Kifri.

APTN

1.4.03 - Kifri, Iraq

Three Iraqi soldiers walking near fortification, massive explosion erupts behind wall, shock waves sweep out

Skyline of town, explosion in distance on frontline Iraqi positions

10:20:21

Further inroads, as members of the U.S. 101st Airborne entered the city of Najaf. Their primary aim was to clear out the Fedayeen, the paramilitary fighters leading resistance to the coalition invasion.

The search led to sporadic firefights in the city's sprawling suburbs.

APTN

3.4.03 - Najaf, Iraq

Mid shot of U.S. military convoy passing through Najaf

10:20:27

APTN

3.4.03 - 30 kilometres south of Baghdad

Burning tank by roadside, black smoke

10:20:34

In a major exclusive, APTN filmed U.S. soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division as they seized Saddam International Airport. The battle produced some of the most dramatic footage of the entire conflict. The airport, just 15 kilometres (nine miles) from central Baghdad, was to become a crucial base for coalition forces staging the final assault on Baghdad.

APTN

4.4.03 - Baghdad

Truck on road to airport

Close up airport sign

Picture of Saddam with tank in front at airport entrance

Soldiers sheltering behind fortification

Missile launched, soldier with launcher runs back

Explosion behind wall with soldiers sheltering in foreground

Pan of destroyed Iraqi aircraft

10:21:09

Shortly after broadcasting what appeared to be an address read by Saddam Hussein, Iraqi television a few hours later showed footage from Baghdad in which the Iraqi president appeared. He was shown walking in the street with a small entourage.

There was no independent confirmation of when the video was shot, though it led to speculation that Saddam was still in Baghdad.

Iraqi TV

4.4.03 (broadcast date) - Baghdad

Various crowd surrounding Saddam

Close shot of Saddam

Saddam standing on car bonnet, crowd cheering

10:21:28

APTN

5.4.03 - Baghdad

Plumes of smoke over Baghdad

10:21:32

British soldiers pulled down a massive statue of Saddam Hussein at the gates of Basra.

Britain's 7th Armored Brigade - the famed Desert Rats - and the Royal Marines were positioned around Basra awaiting orders to launch a final push into Iraq's second-largest city.

POOL

5.4.03 - Basra, Iraq

Various of Saddam statue crashing down at the gates of Basra

10:21:56

U.S. soldiers with the 3rd Infantry Division fought with Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guards in suburbs southwest of Baghdad.

Members of the U.S. infantry moved towards the Republican Guard barracks from Baghdad's international airport - and were met with resistance from small ammunition arms and snipers.

APTN

5.4.03 - Baghdad

U.S. troops on the ground running between buildings

Various tanks firing, smoke rising

Various thick columns of smoke rising

Mid shot of tank in position, then firing at Iraqi positions

10:22:20

British forces near Al Zubayr in the south discovered shocking evidence of the brutality of Saddam's regime. Hundreds of coffin-sized boxes were discovered containing human remains. The site was sealed and treated as a mass grave.

POOL

5.4.03 - Zubayr, southern Iraq

Wide pan of coffins on floor, soldier walks past

Tracking shot of bags containing human remains

Various of Captain Jack Kemp, Royal Horse Artillery leafing though book containing notes and photographs of dead people

10:22:46

British forces stormed into Basra, a column of more than 40 armoured personnel carriers and tanks plowed deep into the city. British forces and

Iraqi fighters had waged exhaustive battles for control of the city since the war began.

POOL

5.4.03 - Basra, Iraq

Anti-tank missile released

Missile hits Iraqi tank and blows it up

10:23:05

6.4.03 - Basra, Iraq

Wide of soldiers by sandbags with poster of Saddam Hussein in background

10:23:12

APTN pictures showed the full opulence of the V.I.P. buildings in the terminal used by top Iraqi officials at Baghdad's airport.

As well as the public areas, access was also given to a bedroom inside the V.I.P. section. Saddam Hussein had previously used the room.

APTN

6.4.03 - Baghdad airport

Wide tracking shot of airport

Tilt down from terminal sign revealing wrecked interior

Troops walking through building, pan to picture of Saddam

10:23:27

US troops stormed into the heart of Baghdad taking control of one of Saddam Hussein's presidential palaces on the Tigris River.

U.S. troops burst through Iraqi defences with more than 70 tanks and 60 Bradley fighting vehicles under cover of tank-busting A10 aircraft.

A few hours later, U.S. Marines entered from the east of the city after incurring heavy fire on the outskirts of the city.

APTN

7.4.03 - Baghdad

Wide of Baghdad

Iraqis (under fire) rolling down the river bank towards the reeds in the river, possibly after being shot

Iraqis running along the bank of the river

Wide of two Iraqi tanks

10:24:00

British marines stormed the presidential palace compound in Basra, once a headquarters of the Fedayeen militia.

They entered the complex on the banks of the Shatt Al-Arab waterway at dawn in the culmination of a massive operation to take control of Basra.

POOL

7.4.03 - Basra

UPSOUND Jeep crashing through front door

Wide of marble floor, tilts up to show ceiling

10:24:13

U.S. army troops sweeping through Baghdad captured one of Saddam Hussein's presidential palaces.

An embedded APTN crew filmed soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division wandering around the huge Qasar Al Faw complex, a favourite haunt of Saddam.

APTN

7.4.03 - Baghdad

Wide of dining room

Bathroom with golden taps

View from palace onto river Tigris

10:24:20

The Pentagon released pictures of American firefighters tackling some of the fires in the Rumeila oilfields.

At the time, according to the U.S. military, American and British forces had secured 600 out of one thousand wells in the southern Iraqi oil fields.

Pentagon

8.4.03 - Rumeila, Iraq

Burning well

Fire in sunglasses of a fire fighter

Fire fighters looking at the burning well from up close, behind corrugated tin shields

Fire fighters squirting water onto the burning well

10:24:37

U.S. troops mounted an air and tank assault on Baghdad to repel an Iraqi counter attack, sending Iraqi troops fleeing across the River Tigris.

APTN

8.4.03 - Baghdad

Various of A10 ground attack plane dropping flares

Gunfire on Planning Ministry

US tank fires

10:24:54

POOL

8.4.03 - Basra

Child bites picture of Saddam on money

10:25:00

Basra citizens showed journalists through the charred remains of the city's secret police headquarters, which had been hammered by coalition bombs.

Hidden in the basement were corridors of cages, cells and torture chambers.

Locals said that for 30 years many ordinary Iraqis were tortured in the building.

APTN

8.4.03 - Basra

Wide shot of Iraqi Secret Police headquarters in Basra, damaged in war

Various of men recreating torture techniques - showing different ways they were beaten and tortured

10:25:12

An image that came to symbolise the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime - jubilant Iraqis tearing down a giant statue of President Saddam Hussein in central Baghdad.

APTN beamed the pictures live worldwide as the historic events unfolded.

APTN

9.4.03 - Baghdad

Tilt up from Iraqi man hammering statue base to Saddam statue

Wide shot of crane pulling statue down

Long shot of Iraqi men running down a street with statue head, one man rides on head

10:25:48

As word spread of the regimes fall, chaos reigned as Iraqis looted government buildings. Opportunists seized whatever they could - looking for an easy windfall, revenge against the regime or even battlefield mementos.

APTN

9.4.03 - Baghdad

Pan around to man bashing Saddam picture

Looter with large vase leaving compound

Looters walking along street with goods

Man and boy outside ministry dragging chairs

Boy with flags walks up to camera, saying "OK, OK, no Saddam, yes boss, no Saddam"

10:26:11

Another bomb-blasted remnant of Saddam Hussein's regime was found on the Shatt-al-Arab waterway, beside Basra's dockyards.

Saddam's presidential yacht was still afloat, but drifting aimlessly with the tide.

Just the yacht's name - still visible in blue paint on its stern - together with a singed Iraqi flag hanging from a bent mast, were all that was left to identify the liner's owner.

Ironically, Saddam Hussein had christened it "Al Mansur", which means in Arabic "The Victor".

When it was launched in 1982, it was one of the largest and most impressive private yachts in the world.

POOL

10.4.03 - Basra

Wide of yacht wreckage

Wide pan of young man paddling past wreckage

Various Iraqis dragging Saddam statue down the street

Iraqi men riding on top of the Saddam statue being dragged down street

10:26:35

Kurdish guerrilla fighters entered the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a clear indication that the Iraqi regime's control in the north of the country had crumbled.

Residents and militia toppled statues and destroyed images of President Saddam Hussein and looted government offices as more than 100 vehicles laden with Kurdish "Peshmerga" fighters drove through Kirkuk's streets, flying the flags of the two major Kurdish factions.

APTN

10.4.03 - Kirkuk, Iraq

Various of Kurdish militia fighters firing their automatic rifles at a mural of Saddam Hussein

10:26:40

APTN

10.4.03 - Baghdad

Various of people carrying out furniture from building and packing it into cars

Tractor pulling trailer full of furniture

10:26:49

U.S. President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair used a new television station to get their message across to the Iraqi people.

The station, "Towards Freedom TV," broadcast from a U.S. C-130 Hercules aircraft circling in the skies over Iraq, using the frequency of the former Iraqi state TV terrestrial channel.

Towards Freedom Movement

8.4.03 - Various

SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Blair, British Prime Minister:

"This is Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. I'm glad to be able to speak to you today, to tell you that Saddam Hussein's regime is collapsing, that the years of brutality, oppression and fear, are coming to an end; that a new and better future beckons for the people of Iraq".

SOUNDBITE (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President:

"This is George W. Bush, the President of the United States. At this moment, the regime of Saddam Hussein is being removed from power, and a long era of fear and cruelty is ending. American and coalition forces are now operating inside Baghdad, and we will not stop until Saddam's corrupt gang is gone. The government of Iraq and the future of your country will soon belong to you".

10:27:38

Looters again ransacked government buildings and defaced images of Saddam Hussein as U.S. troops took control of the northern city of Mosul.

APTN

10.4.03 - Mosul, Iraq

Mid shot of Saddam mural being stoned

Wide shot of Saddam mural being stoned

Tilt up from group of men to Saddam mural being stoned

10:27:50

APTN

11.4.03 - Baghdad

Tilt up local men in front of hospital with Kalashnikovs as hospital is looted

Local men acting as hospital guards outside compound

Interior ransacked hospital X-ray room

10:28:04

British troops in Basra struggled to gain control of the city a week after its fall. As well as looters, forces had to contend with a lack of water and electricity. Some of the public frustration against the invaders was taken out on the English department of the city's university.

APTN

11.4.03 - Basra, Iraq

Children pulling carts with furniture looted from Basra University

Close up books on ground outside English department, tilt up to university

Various interior of people taking books from university library

10:28:19

APTN

11.4.03 - Al-Doura, 20 kilometres outside Baghdad

Various of burned out cars and trucks by highway

10:28:25

POOL

11.4.03 - Doha, Qatar

SOUNDBITE: (English) Brigadier General Vincent Brooks, U.S. Central Command

"The key list has 55 individuals who may be pursued, killed or captured and the list does not exclude any leaders who may have already been killed or captured."

10:28:37

U.S. military officers held meetings with Baghdad civil authorities, including members of the Iraqi police force, about essential services such as water and power in the city.

Regular water supplies had been cut off during the war, leaving Iraqis to queue for hours at the few remaining clean water sources.

APTN

12.4.03 - Baghdad

Shots of children queuing for water in street

Man filling bucket in street, woman hauling bucket up to her apartment balcony two floors above the road

10:28:47

APTN cameras were there to record U.S. marines discovering a cache of multi-million dollar luxury automobiles. The cars belonging to high figures in the Iraqi regime were found in Baghdad's City Hall. Some of the vehicles were valued at as high as 10 million U.S. dollars.

APTN

13.4.03 - Baghdad

Marine walking down stairs at basement of Baghdad's City Hall

Pan across luxury cars

Various of luxury cars

10:29:08

Local Iraqis took matters into their own hands in Baghdad, forming vigilante groups to protect homes and property from further looting.

Armed with rifles, men fired rounds at looters who appeared about to cross the Tigris River to reach Baghdad's once up market Karada district.

APTN

13.4.03 - Baghdad

Group of vigilantes walking through neighbourhood

10:29:21

The plight of Ali Ismail Hassan moved millions of people around the world.

Aside from his severe injuries, Ali lost most of his immediate family in the raid - including his father and pregnant mother. Ali was later taken to the United Kingdom for treatment.

APTN

14.4.03 - Baghdad

Staff pull back his covering to show Ali Ismail Hassan's injuries

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ali Ismail Hassan

"Do you want to liberate us, but why are you killing us? Where will all this pain go?"

10:29:38

U.S. soldiers entered the palace where Saddam Hussein's eldest son Uday had lived.

While most Iraqis bent under the brunt of U.N. sanctions that drove their country into poverty, the tour through his bombed house showed that Uday lived a life of fast cars and expensive liquor.

APTN

15.4.03 - Baghdad

Various of US army around crates of weapons said to have been found in house of Uday Hussein

Various of gold plated weapons

10:29:49

U.S. marines foiled a robbery attempt on a Baghdad bank. They recovered some four million U.S. dollars worth of cash, taken from a branch on of the Rafidain Bank near the Marine headquarters at City Hall.

APTN

15.4.03 - Baghdad (marines foil bank robbers)

Pan from marine to suspects

Marines removing stacks of US soldiers in white and orange sacks

Various of marines piling up US dollars

10:30:05

APTN

16.4.03 - Baghdad

US soldiers storming bank, UPSOUND of shouting

US soldiers putting suspects up against outside wall of bank

US soldier taking money out of bag with suspect on floor beside

Suspects up against wall with piles of money behind

US soldier with stacks of Iraqi bank notes

Plaque with banks name

10:30:41

Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated against the U.S. occupation of Iraq following Friday prayers held by a leading cleric. They called for the immediate withdrawal of coalition forces. It was an early indication of the opposition the allies were to face in the "post war" era.

APTN

18.3.03 - Baghdad

SOUNDBITE: (English) Abdullah Salah, Islamic opposition member and former Iraqi exile

"This rally is against he invasion of Americans in Iraq. We want the American troops basically to leave Iraq completely and leave the Iraqi people to rule Iraq."

IRAQ

POST WAR

10:31:01

Twelve days after U.S. forces seized Iraq, retired U.S. Lieutenant General Jay Garner arrived to take up his duties as Iraq's postwar civil administrator. His main priorities included restoring basic services such as electricity and water as well as civil order. In Baghdad, he visited the Yarmouk hospital, which had been overwhelmed with casualties of the fighting. Looters had stripped many wards of even their most basic equipment.

POOL

21.4.03 - Baghdad

Retired US Lieutenant General Jay Garner arriving at airport greeting troops

Garner walking with staff of Yarmouk hospital

10:31:12

On a tour of the northern Kurdish region, Garner met with prominent Kurdish leaders to discuss the future administration of the region.

POOL

22.4.03 - Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Jay Garner, Tim Cross, Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani holding hands at photo op

10:31:16

Thirteen people were killed and 75 others injured after U.S. Army soldiers opened fire on Iraqi demonstrators in Fallujah. The soldiers claimed they opened fire after shots were aimed at them from the crowd. The protesters were objecting to the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq.

APTN

29.4.03 - Fallujah, Iraq

Damaged car with bullet holes

Wide shot of the entrance to Fallujah on the motorway

10:31:31

APTN

30.4.03 - Fallujah, Iraq

Funeral procession - coffin being carried through crowd

Various of US soldiers in defensive positions around building

Close up of banner reading: "Sooner or later, US killers, we'll kick you out"

10:31:41

APTN

1.5.03 - Fallujah, Iraq

Mid shot of banner outside American post reading "USA leave our country"

Iraqi flag covered in blood outside hospital

10:31:48

Coalition forces began to find shocking evidence of the brutality of Saddam Hussein's regime. Mass graves were found at sites across the country. By far the largest was the Al-Mahawil site near Babylon, where up to 15 thousand bodies were feared buried.

APTN

4.5.03 - Babylon, Iraq

People at site of mass grave

Remains, woman clapping in background

Close ups of remains

Woman holding photo of her missing son, Akil Hassanali

10:32:07

Excavation teams found a further 2,200 bodies at a mass grave in Hillah, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad. Other major sites were found in Kirkuk, Basra, Muhammed Sakran and Najaf. Many of the victims died during the Shiite revolt against the Saddam Hussein government that followed the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War.

APTN

14.5.03 - Hillah, Iraq

Wide shot of crowd standing around earth mover digging up grave

Various of women wailing with bags of remains

Pile of remains

10:32:22

Coalition forces faced growing opposition from Iraq's ethnic groups. In June, Sunni Muslims rallied in the streets of Baghdad, accusing U.S. troops of entering the city's Hothaifa bin al-Yaman mosque and taking money. The U.S. military denied the allegations, saying they'd merely been searching for weapons. Coalition forces were increasingly criticised for inflaming a volatile situation with their sometimes heavy-handed approach to maintaining security.

APTN

13.6.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide of protesters in street chanting with banners

Wide of marchers chanting

Protesters hold up banner of Koran

Wide of protesters with tank and mosque

10:32:42

More evidence of Saddam's opulent lifestyle was unearthed. At a farmhouse not far from Saddam's birthplace outside Tikrit, American troops unearthed a stash of his treasure valued at some 8 million U.S. dollars.

APTN

19.6.03 - Tikrit, Iraq

Wide shot of Saddam palace

US soldier carrying box of treasure in room inside Saddam's palace, puts box on desk

Various of treasure being laid out on table

Various of broach holding picture of Saddam

Various shots of treasure

10:33:14

The first meeting of the U.S. appointed Iraqi governing council met in July in what was hailed as the first step on the path to democracy. The council was made up of leaders from Iraq's diverse ethnic and religious groups. The panel was selected after two months of consultations and faced the difficult task of convincing the Iraqi people that it represented them. This was despite the fact the population never had a chance to vote on its members.

APTN

13.7.03 - Baghdad

Wide shot exterior of building where meeting was held

Entrance to building with security guard in front

Wide interior of council seated around table in meeting room

Mid shot Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani (on left) talking to Mohammed Bahr al-Uloum, cleric from Najaf

Close up Ahmed Chalabi gesturing to council members

Close up Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani

SOUNDBITE: (English) Paul Bremer, US Administrator for Iraq

"Once that constitution is approved by the Iraqi people, we'll have the place to hold elections for a sovereign government."

10:33:51

Crowds of Iraqis gathered outside the mansion in Mosul where American soldiers killed Saddam Hussein's two eldest sons.

Some of them were shouting in delight, others cursing in anger.

Uday and Qusay Hussein were regarded as two of the cruelest men in Saddam's regime. For the coalition it was a major boost, evidence they were closing the net on Saddam Hussein. Supporters of the former leader promised retaliation.

APTN

23.7.03 - Mosul, Iraq

Exterior of villa

US soldier

Window on villa damaged by gunfire and with smoke billowing

Villa with smoke still billowing out

Damaged side of house

10:34:12

US Department of Defense

Still image corpse with full head of hair and beard of Qusay Hussein

Still image corpse with shaved head and full beard showing facial injury Uday Hussein

10:34:24

APTN

25.7.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shot of bodies of Qusay and Uday Hussein

10:34:31

APTN

23.7.03 - near Ramadi, Iraq

Wide shot of Iraqi insurgents wearing masks

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Iraqi insurgent

"If this news is true that Qusay and Uday are dead, we shall raise hell on Americans."

Close up of man holding RPG

Close up small child holding assault rifle

10:34:54

APTN

2.8.03 - Tikrit, Iraq

Wide shot of burial site of Qusay and Uday

Mourner approaches grave with a banknote with Saddam's image and glues it with mud to the grave

Mourner with cap praying in front of mosque

10:35:06

As the months passed, the death toll continued to rise as insurgents launched a series of attacks on a variety of targets throughout Iraq. A massive car bomb exploded outside the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad in August, killing a dozen people and injuring over 50 more.

Later in the month, another bomb hit the United Nations compound in Baghdad, killing Sergio Vieira de Mello, the head of U.N. operations in Iraq. He was among 23 people killed in the blast.

APTN

7.8.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shot aftermath of bomb

Fire burning outside embassy - pan to soldiers

Burnt out car

US soldiers standing on vehicle

10:35:24

APTN

19.8.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shots of UN headquarters with smoke billowing out

Burning cars

10:35:42

International organisations were not the only target. Iraq's holiest Shiite shrine in Najaf was hit by a bomb killing 125 people including Shia cleric, Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim. Al-Hakim had only recently returned to Iraq after two decades of exile.

APTN

29.8.03 - Najaf, Iraq

Mosque with damage from explosion

Crowds of people surrounding wrecked car

Various of rubble and damage

10:35:53

APTN

10.5.03 - Basra, Iraq

Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim addresses crowd

10:36:00

Friendly fire incidents only served to complicate relations between the coalition troops and the Iraqis they were meant to be helping.

In September, an American patrol opened fire on an Iraqi police patrol by mistake. Nine people were killed including a Jordanian security guard. The U.S. military was forced to apologise for the incident, which was to trigger a new cycle of bloodshed in the country's most troubled region.

The supposed "post-war" period was proving more costly in terms of lives than the war itself.

APTN

12.9.03 - Al-bu Al-wan, near Fallujah, Iraq

Various exteriors of one of the Jordanian Hospital buildings at Al-bu Al-wan

Cartidge cases from 40 mm grenade launcher lying in the foreground with building behind

Various of locals shouting and dancing around burned out US "humvee"

10:36:22

APTN

13.9.03 - Fallujah, Iraq

Various of coffins of Iraq policemen shot by US soldiers being carried through crowd

10:36:27

APTN

12.10.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Wide shot of scene of car bombing

Close up injured man being taken away on police pick-up

Stretcher being loaded into ambulance

10:36:46

The Al Rasheed Hotel in central Baghdad was home to many Americans and seen as a symbol of the U.S.-led occupation. A rocket attack in October killed an American colonel and injured a further 18 people.

APTN

26.10.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Hotel

Various of damaged hotel

10:37:05

A dozen people were killed in an attack on the Red Cross complex in Baghdad, also in October. The attack led to calls for non-governmental organisations to pull out of Iraq as the situation became ever more dangerous. Most of those killed were Iraqi employees of the aid organisation.

APTN

27.9.03 - Baghdad, Iraq

Various of smoke rising over city following suicide bombing attack on Red Cross building

10:37:24

Fifteen U.S. soldiers died when a U.S. Chinook helicopter was shot down near Fallujah. It was one of the deadliest strikes against American troops since the start of the war. Public support for the war back home was rapidly eroding as more and more people began to ask the same question - was it all worth it?

APTN

2.11.03 - near Fallujah, Iraq

Helicopter on ground

Soldiers at site of crash

Close up of crash site, pull out to wide of site

TERRORISM

INDONESIA - TRIAL OF BALI BOMBERS

10:37:57

Indonesian authorities continued their search for members of the al-Qaida linked Islamic group Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for the Bali bombings of October 2002, which killed over 200 people. Two suspects were taken to the Kuta nightclub district as part of their interrogation in January. At a press conference, one of the chief suspects, Ali Imron, confessed his involvement and demonstrated the type of pipe-bomb vest used in the attack.

APTN

16.1.03 - Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

Bali bomb suspect, Ali Imron, being lead out of police station and taken to cell

Wide shot of Mubarok, alias Hutomo Pamangkas taken into a police car

Various shots of some of the other suspects being brought out of vehicles

10:38:41

APTN

11.2.03 - Bali, Indonesia

SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesia) Ali Imron, Bali bomb suspect

"I swear in the name of God and Islam that the bombing in Bali is purely the work of our group. There is nobody backing us up and supporting us, unlike what we often hear in recent news reports."

Cutaway of press

Close up of Imron showing jacket with explosives

Pan from computer to Imron putting jacket on

10:39:17

The trials of the 33 suspects finally got underway in May. Also on trial was the Indonesian justice system, as the international community looked on to see its effectiveness in dealing with the threat of terrorism. Many of the ringleaders of the attack were later convicted and given the death sentence - only those who showed remorse were spared and given life imprisonment.

APTN

12.5.03 - Bali, Indonesia

Amrozi bin Nurhasyim is brought into court and soldiers put him in seat in front of judges

Tilt down on Amrozi in court

Wide shot of court

10:39:54

APTN

File November 2002 - Denpasar, Bali

Shot of Amrozi and Da'i Bachtiar, Indonesian Police Chief

Close up of Amrozi's face

10:40:00

APTN

2.6.03 - Bali

Imam Samudra being lead to seat

Samudra sitting down, UPSOUND: Samudra shouts "Allah u-Akbar" (God is great), defence lawyers (out of shot) respond with own cries of Allah u-Akbar (God is great)

Judge banging gavel

10:40:26

APTN

16.5.03 - Denpasar, Bali

Various Mukhlas, under guard, enters court and taken to seat

UPSOUND Mukhlas chants "God is Great"

Tilt down Mukhlas

TERRORISM

INDONESIA - BOMBS

10:40:53

Despite the crackdown and the best efforts of the authorities, the terrorist attacks continued. Indonesia's parliament and police headquarters were both targets for bomb attacks. Foreign interests targeted included a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant and the J.W. Marriott hotel. Twelve people were killed and 150 injured in the Marriot bombing.

APTN

3.2.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Wide shot of Jakarta police compound with media in the foreground

Mid shot of bomb damaged building

Close ups of blasted roof

Zoom in to police investigators bagging debris as evidence

Police standing guard at blast sight cordoned off

10:41:13

APTN

27.4.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Entrance from within airport of Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant where explosion occurred - glass on ground

Various shots of investigators at scene

Broken glass and debris

10:41:35

APTN

14.7.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Wide shot of Indonesian parliament building

Various shots of explosion site

Various shots of forensic team with a dog at site

10:41:52

APTN

5.8.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Exterior of hotel

Police, tilt up to smoke

Exterior of J.W. Marriott hotel, zoom in on shattered windows

Various of fire fighters trying to extinguish car on fire

Various of dead body being put into the back of an ambulance

10:42:21

APTN

19.8.03 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesian national detective Erwin Mapasseng holding a photo list of fugitives wanted in connection with Marriott bombing

Fugitives list

TERRORISM

SAUDI ARABIA - BOMB

10:42:39

Saudi Arabia was also the target of terrorists when in May a housing complex used by Americans working in Riyadh was hit by a truck bombing. Over 90 people were killed in the attack described as "terrorism at its worst" by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell during a visit to the site. The attack was again linked to the al-Qaida network.

POOL

13.5.03 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Piles of debris

US Secretary of State Colin Powell looking at devastation

Tilt down destroyed building

Close up US flag, pull out to destroyed building

Close up piece of debris

Destroyed buildings pull out

Sandstorm blows up around wrecked buildings

Close up Powell walking with group in sandstorm

TERRORISM

MOROCCO - BOMBS

10: 43:44

A series of terrorist attacks occurred in Casablanca in May, with bombs going off at a number of sites in the city including a Jewish Community Centre and the Belgian consulate. Over 40 people were killed, 13 of whom were believed to be the suicide bombers. In the aftermath, authorities rounded up members of local extremist Islamic groups Salafia Jihadia and Attakfir wal Hijra in connection with the blasts. Again, al-Qaida were suspected of involvement.

APTN

17.5.03 - Casablanca, Morocco

Police stand guard outside bombed nightclub

High shot of wrecked outdoor dining area

Various of burned tables and chairs, blood and left shoes at Casa de Espana

Exterior of damaged Belgian consulate

Man sweeping up broken glass at restaurant opposite consulate

Close up of restaurant sign with blood splattered walls

Various exteriors of damage to Hotel Farah

Close up of hotel sign

Body is put into waiting van

Woman crying

SOUNDBITE: (French) Mustapha Sahel, Moroccan Interior Minister

"These attacks were committed by a cell made up of 14 members split into five groups, and these five groups are the ones that carried out the attacks in Casablanca."

10:44:59

APTN

18.5.03 - Casablanca, Morocco

Wide shot of news stand with people looking at papers

Close up headline "The Horror" in French

Various shots of King Mohammed IV of Morocco viewing the bomb-damaged interior of Jewish community centre

ISRAEL/PALESTINE

10:45:33

Hope of progress in the Middle East peace process lay with the appointment of Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) as the first Palestinian Prime Minister. After pressure applied by both The United States and Israel, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat agreed to relinquish some of his power to create the new post. The appointment was seen as a pre-cursor to the U.S. unveiling its "road map" to peace, with the aim of establishing Palestinian statehood within three years. However, continued violence and Israeli strikes within the West Bank and Gaza on Hamas targets were a constant setback to progress.

APTN

7.3.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

Abu Mazen, Palestinian Prime Minister Designate, sitting at desk

SOUNDBITE: (English) Saeb Erekat Palestinian Senior Official

"President Arafat has made the choice to appoint Mr. Mahmoud Abbas (aka Abu Mazen) as the Prime Minister. It is the right choice and it is a good choice. I believe in the end of the day Mr. Abu Mazen will be the credible and the empowered prime minister of the new Palestinian cabinet."

10:45:59

APTN

18.3.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

Various of Palestinian Legislative Council meeting in chamber

Various of council members voting on resolution

10:46:16

POOL

8.4.03 - Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland

SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, U.S. President

"We're committed to implementing the road-map toward peace, to bring closer the day when two states, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace and stability. Peace in the Middle East will require overcoming deep divisions of history and religion. Yet we know this is possible."

10:46:40

APTN

9.4.03 - Gaza

Various shots of bodies being carried through crowd

Various shots of masked paramilitary fighters with guns in burial parade

9.4.02 - Jenin

Damaged empty classroom, pan to blood on floor

Close up of broken light and blood splattered floor

Pockmarks on ceiling and walls

10:47:07

U.S. special operations forces in Iraq captured Mohammed Abu Abbas, leader of a Palestinian group that killed an American on the hijacked cruise liner Achille Lauro in 1985. He was reported to have lived in Iraq for 17 years. Abbas' case had been mentioned in an October 2002 speech by President Bush, used as evidence of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's support for international terrorism. The Palestinian Authority immediately asked for the release of Abbas, saying his arrest violated a 1995 interim agreement between Israel and the Palestinians that said no P.L.O. officials could be arrested for violent acts committed before the 1993 Israel-P.L.O. pact of mutual recognition.

APTN

File, 20.4.96 - Gaza

Mohammed Abu Abbas - allowed into Gaza for first time to attend Palestinian National Council meeting sits down

Abbas greets man

APTN

16.4.03 - Baghdad

Wide shot of exterior Mohammed Abbas' house

APTN

File

Achille Lauro

10:47:32

In April, following a bitter stand-off, the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and his prime-minister designate Mahmoud Abbas finally agreed on the formation of a new cabinet. Arafat had challenged several key appointments made by Abbas during the course of the power struggle. After officially accepting the position of Palestinian Prime Minister, one of Abbas' first acts was to formally accept a draft of the internationally backed peace plan, known as the "road map". The "road map" required an immediate ceasefire, a crackdown on Palestinian militants and Israel's withdrawal from Palestinian towns and the dismantling of Jewish settlements. But just a day after the plan was presented, its success was already under threat. Following a suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel struck a Hamas stronghold in Gaza in a raid aimed at taking out Yousef Abu Hein, a leading Hamas bomb maker.

APTN

23.4.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

Wide shot of Arafat (centre) holding hands with Mahmoud Abbas ( left) and Suleiman (right) seated at table

SOUNDBITE: (English) Nabil Shaath, Palestinian Planning Minister

"We have now a cabinet blessed by President Arafat and accepted by Mr Abbas - Abu Mazen - and we are going to proceed. Our assumption is that the road map will be declared very soon with all its requirements."

10:48:01

APTN

1.5.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

Mid shot of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas meeting his cabinet of ministers, shot pulls out to wide

APTN

1.5.03 - Gaza City, Gaza Strip

Various shots of masked Hamas gunmen standing amid wreckage of houses at site of Israeli raid

Various shots of ruined buildings

Blood visible on wreckage

Wide shot Gaza City skyline explosions, dust clouds rising above horizons

10:48:30

The "road map" peace plan faced opposition from within Israel. Jewish settlers, once allied to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, rallied against him as he met with both the Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and the U.S. President George W. Bush in a summit in Jordan. The result: a pledge by Israel to dismantle illegal settlements in Palestinian areas, while the new Palestinian prime minister renounced all terrorism against Israel.

APTN

4.6.03 - Jerusalem

Various of Jewish settlers protesting with banners

Various wides of protest rally

10:48:48

POOL

4.6.03 - Jordan

US President George W. Bush, Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas), Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, walk out and wave to media. AUDIO members of media asking them to shake hands, they don't

10:48:56

POOL

4.6.03 - Jordan

Leaders walking to podium

Bush and Abbas sitting in garden

10:49:10

Setbacks to the progress of the peace plan were frequent. Israel continued with the construction of a barrier dividing Israel from areas of the West Bank. While Israel claimed it was merely a measure to protect them against suicide bombers, the Palestinians said it cut thousands of people off from their land and jobs and encroached into large sections of their territory. Despite the construction of the 250 kilometre long fence, the suicide bombings continued. At least 18 people were killed and over 40 injured when a bomb went off in packed bus full of Jewish worshippers returning from prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. In response, Israel froze contact with the Palestinian authority and stopped the handover of two West Bank towns. They also launched a new wave of attacks on Hamas targets in both the West Bank and Gaza.

APTN

21.7.03 - Jayous, West Bank

Wide shot of truck moving along the security zone of the road

Bulldozer and truck seen working over barbed wire fence

APTN

18.7.03 - Bethlehem, West Bank

Shot of fence warning sign

10:49:23

APTN

29.7.03 - West Bank

Fence snaking along for kilometres

Aerial following fence, Palestinian towns and Israeli settlements close to fence

10:50:06

APTN

19.8.03 - Jerusalem

Wide shot of ambulances at scene

Various of bus and wreckage at site

10:50:18

POOL

19.8.03 - Jerusalem

Zoom in to front of bus where blast happened

10:50:28

APTN

9.9.03 - Hebron, West Bank

Various shots of apartment building where Kawasme family lived being shelled by tanks

Various shots of Israeli troops attacking apartment building; UPSOUND: Gunfire

Apartment block being demolished

10:50:58

Following the resignation of Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qureia emerged as the frontrunner to take over the position.

Israel maintained its pressure on the Palestinian authority, issuing threats to expel the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. An Arab backed resolution at the United Nations demanding that Israel halt the threats was blocked by a U.S. veto in the security council vote - three other nations abstained: Britain, Germany and Bulgaria. In October, Israel launched an air strike against Syria, hitting what they claimed was a suspected Islamic Jihad training base outside Damascus. The attack on Syria led to an escalation of tensions along the border with Israel and Lebanon, where Syria was the main power-broker. In his first comments following the attack Sharon defended Israel's right to protect its citizens.

APTN

9.9.03 - Ramallah, West Bank

SOUNDBITE: (English) Ahmed Qureia, candidate for Palestinian Prime Minister

"We are committed to the peace process, we are committed to the road map, we are committed to all our commitments in the road map, we are committed to security and everything. And we want the other side to commit to it themselves."

10:51:11

APTN

7.10.03 - Jerusalem

SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew) Ariel Sharon, Israeli Prime Minister

"Israel will not be deterred from protecting its citizens and will strike its enemies in every place and in every way."

SARS

10:51:38

SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, caused a worldwide health scare. The virus infected over 8-thousand people and killed more than 700 people worldwide. The outbreak began in the Guangzhou region of China late in 2002, but by mid 2003 had spread throughout Asia. Face masks became commonplace, as was the sight of planes being disinfected at airports.

Hong Kong was among the worst affected cities. A huge clean up operation was launched to try and contain the spread of the deadly virus.

The scare affected the region's economy with western travellers and businessmen afraid to visit the region.

VNR

May 2003 - Atlanta, Georgia

Shots of researchers in Centre for Disease Control labs studying SARS

Shots of SARS virus on computer screen

Close shot of SARS virus in a lab dish

10:51:54

APTN

27.3.03 - Beijing, China

Pan from different types of face masks

Man pulls out disposable face mask from packet

Man demonstrates putting on face mask

APTN

28.3.03 - Beijing, China

Long shot of Hong Kong tourists wearing face mask at baggage hall

10:52:13

APTN

2.4.03 - Manila, Philippines

Wide shot of Philippine Airlines plane docked after landing

Passengers arriving from Hong Kong coming out of airport tunnel wearing masks

Airline staff spraying disinfectant inside plane

10:52:31

APTN

5.4.03 - Guandong, China

Various of people looking at notice board with information on SARS prevention

10:52:39

APTN

12.4.03 - Hong Kong

Wide shot of doctor checking patient with flashlight

Doctor writing

Close up on prescription as its being written

10:52:54

APTN

14.4.03 - Shenzhen, China

Wide shot of people walking into Hong Kong from mainland China

Mid shot of health declaration

Mid shot of health declaration

10:53:05

APTN

17.4.03 - Hong Kong

Man checking passenger's ear

Man walks to security, zoom in to close up of ear being checked

Close up on device showing temperature at 36 degrees Celsius

10:53:24

APTN

19.4.03 - Hong Kong

Exterior shot of Bowrington Street Market in Wanchai district of Hong Kong

Woman pushing large cleaning machine on cart through street

Low shot of mopping, pan to Yeoh Eng-kiong and others mopping

Close up high pressure water hose cleaning market

Wide shot of man cleaning using hose

10:53:49

APTN

April 2003 - Hong Kong

Doctors looking at x-ray

Pan from doctors to x-ray

Doctor with child in hospital

Pan from doctor to child

Kid looking through comic book on hospital bed

10:54:11

APTN

28.4.03 - Beijing, China

Tilt up on 29th dormitory of the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing (Zhao Jun Doing Li), which was isolated due to resident students with SARS

Mid shot of apartment windows

Woman cleaning window sill

Wide shot of security at apartment entrance

Mid shot of guards with face masks talking to doctors

Pan right of banner saying in Mandarin: "We expect that those infected will recover soon and that this isolation order frees us from this disease sooner"

10:54:36

APTN

1.5.03 - Xiaotangshan, Beijing

High wide newly built Xiaotangshan SARS hospital

Medium soldier guarding outside the disinfection room

Night shot wide of ambulances transporting SARS patients on road to Xiaotangshan hospital

A round table used as a signboard with Chinese characters reading: "No entrance to people from other villages and places"

GLOBAL

PRE-WAR PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS

10:55:04

In unprecedented protests, millions of people worldwide showed their opposition to the impending war in Iraq. In major cities around the globe demonstrators took to the streets calling for a peaceful solution to the Iraq problem. Both U.S. President George W. Bush and his closest ally British Prime Minister Tony Blair faced huge opposition in their own countries. Despite the scale of the anti-war movement, the invasion of Iraq went ahead regardless.

APTN

15.2.03 - New York, USA

Crowds of protesters

Effigy of US President George W. Bush with saying "no war"

APTN

15.2.03 - London, UK

Wide overhead shot of march

People dressed as British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush kissing

APTN

15.2.03 - Paris, France

Wide shot of demonstration

Pan from sign to demonstrator

Wide shot of street with marchers

APTN

15.2.03 - Berlin, Germany

Banner in crowd of marchers with a picture of Bush

Various of crowd of marchers

APTN

15.2.03 - Tel Aviv, Israel

Various of demonstrators

Demonstrators marching down road

APTN

15.2.03 - Rome, Italy

Wide shot of Piazza Venezia full of demonstrators with banners

GLOBAL

NATO EXPANSION

10:56:15

In its largest expansion yet, NATO welcomed seven eastern European nations to the alliance. The foreign ministers from Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Estonia and Latvia signed their membership treaties in Brussels on March 26th. The seven are due to join the coalition in May 2004 following ratification in their respective parliaments. Once members, they will be covered by NATO's core security guarantee, which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

NATO TV

26.3.03 - Brussels, Belgium

Wide shot of NATO council room

Mid shot of Lord Robertson, Secretary General of NATO addressing council

Various of accession countries foreign ministers signing protocols

SOUNDBITE: (English) Lord Robertson, Secretary General of NATO

"Colleagues, the accession protocols have now been signed by all of the existing nineteen members of NATO. The ratification can now begin."

Group photo opportunity

EUROPE

SERBIA - DJINDJIC ASSASSINATION

11:57:17

Gunmen who ambushed his entourage near government headquarters assassinated Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic -a key leader of the revolt, which toppled former President Slobodan Milosevic - in March.

Djindjic had many enemies because of his pro-reformist and pro-Western stance and his crackdown on organised crime, which is rampant in Serbia and across the Balkans.

A government-imposed state of emergency followed the murder and the military were called in to assist in the search for the assassins.

Members of an underworld network, which bore a grudge against the prime minister, carried out the killing.

APTN

File, July 1999 - Uzice, Serbia

Djindjic addressing crowd

APTN

12.3.03 - Belgrade, Serbia

Wide shot of people and police gathering outside site of shooting

Wide shot of street and police outside the government offices where Djindjic was ambushed

Mid shot of police and vehicles

SOUNDBITE: (Serbian) Nebojsa Covic, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister

"There was an assassination of the Prime Minister of Serbia, Mr Zran Djindjic, at 1225pm (1125 GMT). The Prime Minister died at 1330pm (1230 GMT) in the emergency unit of the Serbian clinical centre in Belgrade. Doctor Zoran Djindjic was hit in the chest and abdomen and the wounds were gunshot wounds."

Mid shot of the sign of government offices where Djindjic was ambushed

Close up flowers

APTN

13.3.03 - Belgrade, Serbia

Close shot of candles, pan to flower tributes

EUROPE

SWEDEN - LINDH MURDER

10:58:25

One of Sweden's most popular and charismatic politicians, the Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, was murdered outside a Stockholm department store. The killing shocked one of Europe's most open and liberal societies. Lindh, who did not have bodyguards, was stabbed several times in the stomach, chest and arm while out shopping on September 10th and died the next day after several hours of surgery.

Her death cast a shadow over an impending referendum in which Swedes rejected the euro.

Many Swedes feared a repeat of the 1996 murder of Prime Minister Olaf Palme, which has never been solved. But after a massive manhunt, police detained 24-year old Mijailo Mijailovic, a Swedish man of Yugoslav origin who was later charged with the murder.

APTN

6.9.03 - Lake Garda, Italy

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh during "family photo" at EU Foreign Ministers meeting

APTN

11.9.03 - Stockholm, Sweden

Various shots of people laying flowers and candles by photo of Anna Lindh

APTN

12.9.03 - Stockholm, Sweden

Queue outside the store where Lindh was attacked

EUROPE

EU EXPANSION SUMMIT AND VIOLENT PROTESTS

10:58:56

The 15 current European Union leaders met in Athens in April to discuss a range of topics from E.U. expansion to the war in Iraq. They agreed on elements of future U.N. Security Council resolutions designed to give the organisation a firm footing in the rebuilding of Iraq. The meeting was marred by anti-war demonstrations. The protesters anger was aimed at E.U. leaders from Britain, Spain and Italy who supported the war.

APTN

16.4.03 - Athens, Greece

Wide shot of protesters

Protesters in stand off with police - some throw paint bombs

Wide of police in riot gear

EUROPE

GREECE - THE AURORA

10:59:20

A mystery stomach virus struck down 500 out of 1,800 passengers aboard the cruise ship Aurora during a 17 day Mediterranean voyage. The ship was refused entry to a Greek port and Spanish authorities closed the border to Gibralter during the scare. The ship finally returned to Southampton by which time most of the passengers had recovered from the norovirus that caused vomiting and diarrhea but was not fatal.

APTN

31.10.03 - Piraeus, Athens, Greece

Various of cruise ship "Aurora" approaching Piraeus docks

Police checkpoint in the docks

Pan of cruise ship "Aurora"

Vessels around the "Aurora"

EUROPE

CONCORDE -END OF AN ERA

10:59:58

After 28 years, Concorde finally bowed out of service bringing an end to the era of supersonic commercial flights. British Airways suspended flights in October saying Concorde was no longer economically viable. Tens of thousands of people turned out to see the final three scheduled flights come in to land at London's Heathrow airport. It was a bittersweet day for fans of perhaps the most majestic plane ever to grace the world's skies.

Air France, the only other airline to operate Concorde, grounded its supersonic fleet in May.

APTN

File (black and white) - UK

Plan of model 2, exterior view

Plane in production

APTN

File (colour) - France

Concorde unveiled, ribbon cutting ceremony

POOL

24.10.03 - Heathrow airport, London

Wide shot of three Concordes all coming in to land (New York plane faint in background)

Various of Concorde plane coming from New York landing at Heathrow

Concorde dipping its nose

Pilots waving Union flags out of cockpit windows of Concorde

AFRICA

CIVIL WAR

11:01:05

APTN was there to cover the bloody fighting between rebels and government troops in Liberia. Hundreds of civilians died and thousands were forced to flee their homes as the rebels encircled the capital of Monrovia in June. LURD rebels (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy) had been fighting troops loyal to President Charles Taylor for three years in a war that displaced more than one million Liberians.

APTN

File 2000 - Monrovia, Liberia

Liberian President Charles Taylor

APTN

29.6.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Military vehicle with soldiers on back of truck

APTN

26.6.03 - Tugmanburg (35 miles north west of Monrovia), Liberia

Mid shot of rebel Chief of Staff, Seeya Shariff Cobra, walking towards Monrovia

Fighter on van firing

APTN

26.6.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Crowd running out of building as rebels fire in the air to stop them looting

APTN

27.6.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Various close shots of fighters on foot firing

As fighting reached a climax, Taylor vowed to fight to the last man in Monrovia, his last stronghold. But international pressure meant he was soon forced to step down and make way for a West African peacekeeping force, supported by the U.S., to move in.

Liberian Government Video

20.7.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Government fighters firing their weapons wildly

President Charles Taylor passed power on to his designated successor Moses Blah during a long-promised resignation ceremony. His departure marked the end of an era of bloodshed.

Outside, Monrovia's beleaguered people cheered the Nigerian peacekeepers part of a vanguard peace force meant to build to 3,250 West African soldiers - but reserved celebrations over the warlord's resignation until it was official.

APTN

11.09.03 - Executive Mansion, Monrovia

Mid shot of Charles Taylor praying

Moses Blah, Liberian Vice President

With the arrival of 200 American troops to support the West African peace force, rebels finally lifted their siege of the capital. The rebels had pledged to pull out of Monrovia as soon as their demands that warlord president Charles Taylor leave Liberia and that West African peacekeepers deploy had been met. U.S. President George W. Bush - authorising the first U.S. peace mission in Africa since fighting in Somalia killed 18 US troops in 1993 - likewise had ruled out deploying any significant American force until Taylor departed.

APTN

14.09.03 - Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, Liberia

US troops disembarking from helicopters

Various of troops carrying gear

APTN

11.9.03 - Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, Liberia

Taylor boarding plane ready to leave Liberia

In October, businessman Gyude Bryant was sworn in as leader of a two-year transitional government charged with leading Liberia out of 14 years of bloodletting. Elections are due for 2005.

APTN

14.10.03 - Monrovia, Liberia

Gyude Bryant swearing oath

SOUNDBITE: (English) Gyude Bryant, Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia

"My people, the war is over" (Ends on upsound of applause)

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA - WALTER SISULU

11:02:20

Walter Sisulu, a charismatic, quiet leader who brought Nelson Mandela into the African National Congress and helped lead the fight against apartheid for five decades, died in May aged 90.

Sisulu, mentor of President Nelson Mandela even before the two were part of a group jailed for life in 1964, had been suffering from a long illness, according to the A.N.C. Throughout the fight against the racist white regime, Sisulu and Mandela stood together. They went on trial together, went to jail together and worked together to

transform the organization from a banned liberation movement to the nation's governing party.

Mandela looked up to the older Sisulu for advice and support through their heady days as political firebrands, during the long, lonely years in prison and finally into South Africa's first democratic government.

Born four months after the formation of the African National Congress in 1912, Sisulu introduced Mandela to politics and later while the two served life sentences in jail, groomed him for the inevitable presidency of South Africa.

After his release from jail in late-1989 Sisulu was elected Deputy President of the A.N.C. but stepped down from high political office in December 1994.

While Mandela became the public face of resistance - and eventually the nation's first black president - Sisulu, perhaps his closest confidant, remained the clear-thinking strategist in the background.

APTN

File - Johannesburg, South Africa

Close up of Walter Sisulu and his wife

APTN

File - Blomfontein, South Africa

Sisulu greeting Nelson Mandela on stage and then greeting Joe Slovo

6.5.03 - Johannesburg, South Africa

SOUNDBITE: (English) Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa

"He was no threat to anybody and as a result rose far, head and shoulders far above us."

APTN

18.5.03 - Johannesburg, South Africa

Wide of podium with VIPs

Framed photo of Walter Sisulu

AFRICA

IDI AMIN DIES

11:03:00

Idi Amin, whose eight years as president of Uganda were characterised by bizarre and murderous behaviour, died at the age of 80 in a Saudi Arabian hospital.

Amin was forced from Uganda in 1979, fled to Libya, then Iraq and finally Saudi Arabia, where he was allowed to settle provided he stayed out of politics.

Ugandans initially welcomed Amin when he took power in 1971, but his popularity plummeted after the East African nation descended into economic chaos and he declared himself president-for-life.

Amin grew increasingly authoritarian, violent and subject to mood swings.

Human rights groups say as many as 500-thousand people were killed during Amin's rule.

APTN

File, January 1971 - Uganda

Former Ugandan president Idi Amin on street with troops during the coup that brought him to power

APTN

File, January 1978 - Koboko, Uganda

Amin stepping down from plane, being greeted by officials

APTN

File, May 1979 - Uganda

Amin at May Day celebrations, various shots of him standing for anthem

Various of Amin dancing with youths at May Day celebrations

AFRICA

ZIMBABWE - TSVANGIRAI TREASON CHARGE

11:03:33

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai faced treason charges following his arrest in June. He was freed on bail after spending two weeks in jail. He was arrested after leading a week of anti-government strikes that shut down much of the already fragile economy. Long-time President Robert Mugabe said Tsvangirai had tried to overthrow his government. If convicted Tsvangirai would face the death penalty.

Tsvangirai ran against Mugabe in last year's elections, which independent observers say were marred by state-orchestrated political violence, intimidation and vote rigging.

The opposition blames Mugabe for crippling the economy and creating acute shortages of fuel, food, medicine and essential imports. Mass famine was avoided this year only by foreign humanitarian aid.

APTN

20.6.03 - Harare, Zimbabwe

Wide shot of exterior of Zimbabwe High Court

Boxes containing bail money and documents being carried into courthouse

Tsvangirai speaking at his home

Close up Tsvangirai seated

Mid shot of Tsvangirai

AFRICA

NIGERIA - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

11:14:06

President Olusegun Obasanjo took the oath of office for a second term as Nigeria's leader in a landmark for civilian-run democracy in Africa's most populous nation.

More than a dozen fellow African leaders watched the ceremony as he was sworn in.

Obasanjo's 1999 election to a first term in a military-run vote, ended 15 years of often brutal, corrupt military rule.

He easily won re-election in April, in a vote that opposition candidates charged was marred by fraud.

International observers expressed concern at the allegations, but none questioned the victory of Obasanjo, a southern Christian, over top rival Muhammad Buhari, a northern Muslim.

Both men were themselves former junta leaders.

APTN

19.4.03 - Abeokuta, Nigeria

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo placing ballot paper in box, makes "peace" sign to media

Voting official at table

Close up ballot paper, showing various political parties

APTN

29.5.03 - Abuja, Nigeria

Obasanjo praying

Obasanjo taking the oath

Judges

AFRICA

ALGERIA - EARTHQUAKE

11:04:37

A devastating earthquake that registered 6.8 magnitude that struck Algeria in May killed over a thousand people. The epicentre was near the town of Boumerdes, just 48 kilometres (30 miles) to the east of Algiers. Rescue workers launched a desperate search to try and uncover the many victims buried under collapsed buildings.

APTN

23.5.03 - Algiers, Algeria

Site of destroyed building

Man on pile of rubble

Man with sniffer dog knocking out pieces of building

Men by collapsed building

Men in street by collapsed building

APTN

24.5.03 - Boumerdes, Algeria

Panning shot, tents set up in the Olympic stadium

AFRICA

AIDS

11:05:17

Former South African President, Nelson Mandela, called on the international community to do more to fight the global threat of AIDS, especially in the developing world.

Mandela spoke at the 2nd International AIDS Society conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment held in Paris in July.

The Former South African President gave an impassioned address, highlighting the lack of anti-viral drugs and AIDS treatment in developing counties and calling it "a travesty of human rights on a global scale."

After Mandela spoke, protesters angry at what they saw as double standards by some governments barracked conference delegates, including South Africa, in their approach to combating AIDS.

The disease has already killed 20 million people, the vast majority in sub-Saharan Africa, and more than 11 million children have lost at least one parent to AIDS.

Thirty million Africans are infected with the disease.

APTN

July 2003 - Sideki, Swaziland, South Africa

Various of AIDS patients lying on hospital ward beds

SOUNDBITE: (English) Nelson Mandela, former South African President

"That the single most important step we must now take is to provide access to treatment throughout the developing world."

ASIA

GEORGIA - VELVET REVOLUTION

11:05:57

After weeks of protests, opposition supporters stormed the Georgian parliament demanding the ousting of President Eduard Shevardnadze. Protesters took to the streets accusing Shevardnadze of rigging recent elections and to show their dissatisfaction with the struggling economy and out of control corruption. While the president fled the scene promising to stay in office, within days he'd been forced to resign. Opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili called it Georgia's "velvet revolution" as the government was overthrown without a shot being fired. Parliamentary speaker, Nino Burdzhanadze took over the interim presidency ahead of fresh elections scheduled for early in the New Year.

APTN

22.11.03 - Tbilisi, Georgia

Crowds outside parliament clapping and cheering

People forcing their way through the doors

Some people climbing through the doors

Opposition leader, Mikhail Saakashvili, surrounded by supporters, shouting at Shevardnadze during speech

Various of scuffles

Shevardnadze watching, surrounded by security

Saakashvili and supporters force their way forward

Pan to Shevardnadze being hurried outside door by security

They get to top table, hit gavel on table, wave flags and cheer

Saakashvili waving at supporters

ASIA

TURKEY HSBC AND CONSULATE BOMBS

11:07:03

Just days after a pair of truck bombs killed 23 people in attacks on two Istanbul synagogues, the Turkish capital was again the target for terrorists. The British consulate and the regional headquarters of the London-based HSBC bank were hit in near simultaneous attacks. Twenty-nine people were killed and several hundred injured. In the following days, Turkish authorities rounded up 18 people connected to Islamic extremist groups believed to be involved in the attacks.

APTN

22.11.03 - Istanbul, Turkey

Wide shot of HSBC building

Damage to building

Pan of Taksim's central square

Wide shot of British consulate, seen at end of street

Various of debris and wrecked cars

Investigators looking at site

Union Jack flag at half-mast

ASIA

TURKEY - EARTHQUAKE

11:08:05

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey in May, which killed 149 people and left over a thousand injured. The worst damage was felt in the town of Bingol, 700 kilometres (430 miles) east of Ankara. Rescue services had to search the wreckage of a school dormitory, which collapsed leaving dozens of children trapped.

APTN

1.5.03 - Bingol, Turkey

Wide shot destroyed school building

Soldiers and people clearing rubble at school

Girl crying and soldiers in foreground

Destroyed school building

Pan of injured child being carried out of destroyed school building

Person being pulled from rubble of apartment block

Dusk shots of rescue efforts at school and people at scene

ASIA

SOUTH KOREA - SUBWAY FIRE

11:08:41

An arsonist who threw a flaming milk carton aboard a subway train in the South Korean city of Daegu caused the deaths of more than 120 people and left another 100 injured. Many of the victims were incinerated by the blaze that engulfed two trains. Train operators were partly to blame for the high death toll. They allowed a second train to pull into the platform even though they knew there was a fire. Police arrested a 46-year-old man, Kim Dae-han, who told police he'd wanted to commit suicide and kill others at the same time.

APTN

18.2.03 - Daegu, South Korea

Smoke over office buildings

Smoke billowing out of subway street vent

Various of carriage

Various of damaged carriage

Various of firemen carrying injured person out of subway

ASIA

MUMBAI BOMB

11:09:18

Islamic militants were blamed for two car bombings that struck India's financial capital Mumbai in September. Forty-six people were killed and 150 wounded in the attacks.

The bombs in two taxis exploded minutes apart, ripping through a crowded jewelry market, the Zaveri Bazaar, and in front of a colonial-era tourist attraction, the Gateway of India.

The Indian government blamed the attack on Muslim extremists they said were backed by Pakistan - sparking fears of increased tensions just when relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours appeared on the mend.

Pakistan, however, condemned the carnage as "wanton targeting of civilians" as world leaders also expressed outrage.

APTN

25.9.03 - Mumbai, India

Ground shot of people in front of monument

Wreckage of taxi

Pan around damaged car with smashed windscreen

Pan around car park from taxi to other damaged cars

ASIA

NORTH KOREA - ANNIVERSARY AND NUCLEAR SITUATION

11:09:55

An estimated one million people paraded through North Korea's capital Pyongyang in September to mark the nation's 55th anniversary, but the customary display of large military hardware was missing.

APTN was given exclusive international access to film the impressive event through Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square.

Approximately 20-thousand soldiers took part in the march but unlike past parades, no tanks or missiles were on display. The troops only carried small arms, including rifles and grenade launchers (RPGs).

Attention was drawn to the march by comments earlier in the week by the North Korean government that it retained the option to "increase its nuclear deterrent force."

It also accused America of wrecking the previous month's talks between North Korea, United States, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China on ending the standoff over the country's suspected nuclear programme.

The U.S. and South Korea renewed calls for North Korea to halt its nuclear weapons programme during talks in Seoul in November.

APTN

9.9.03 - Pyongyang, North Korea

Wide of Kim Il Sung square

Close up honour guard with machine guns

Wide of parade

Close up of massed troops

Wide of square with North Korean flag formed by crowds

ASIA

IRAN - CONJOINED TWINS

11:10:31

Iranian conjoined twins Laden and Laleh Bijani won the hearts of many with their brave bid to be separated. After years searching the world for a surgeon able to carry out the risky operation it seemed that at last their dream would come true. They flew to Singapore where a team of 28 doctors and 100 medical assistants embarked on the operation. They were given at best a 50-50 chance of survival. It was the first time surgeons had tried to separate adults joined at the head. But despite the bravery of the twins, the story was to end in tragedy. Both died during the course of the operation within 90 minutes of each other. Their deaths provoked shock and grief across Iran, where the nation had been gripped by the twins' courageous battle. The bodies were later flown back to Iran and taken to Tehran's Grand Mosque.

APTN

June 2003 - Singapore

Bijani twins walk into room for briefing

Twins at microphone

2.6.03 - Singapore

Exteriors of Raffles hospital

Picture of the twins' skulls

10.7.03 - Tehran, Iran

Friends of twins, dressed in black walking into Tehran Mehrabad Airport

Coffins being carried through airport

Zoom out from photograph of the twins to man holding newspaper

ASIA

SUU KYI HELD

11:11:09

The plight of Myanmar's pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, continued to cause concern for human rights activists around the world. She spent much of the year detained along with a group of her supporters. When offered her freedom in November, she refused calling for the release of all those detained. Her detention followed clashes in May between her supporters and a pro-junta mob near the northern city of Monywa.

Reports that Suu Kyi had been on hunger strike inspired supporters as far away as Japan to go on hunger strike in September.

APTN

File 2000 - Yangon, Myanmar

Suu Kyi walking through her compound

Wide shot of Suu Kyi's house

APTN

12.6.03 - Monywa, Myanmar

Wide shot of dusty street where Suu Kyi was detained and her car was surrounded

APTN

14.6.03 - Yangon, Myanmar

Man praying at pagoda

13.6.03 - Monywa, Myanmar

Wide shot, entrance to university

5.9.03 - Tokyo, Japan

Wide shot, pro-democracy activists on hunger strike in front of Myanmar embassy

Various activists on hunger strike

NORTH AMERICA

SPACE SHUTTLE TRAGEDY

11:11:47

A Catastrophic end for the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. While re-entering the earth's atmosphere at the end of a 16-day mission the orbiter disintegrated leaving a white streak across the Texas sky. The loss of shuttle commander Rick Husband, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Indian-born Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, William McCool and Israeli, Ilan Ramon brought a new round of grief to a nation still in mourning after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Over the coming days wreckage was found strewn across the southern states and even into Mexico. The tragedy called into question the future of NASA's manned space mission and the safety of the ageing Space Shuttle programme. The accident was blamed on damage to Columbia's protective thermal tiles on the left wing from a flying piece of debris during liftoff on January 16.

NASA TV

16.1.03 - Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA

Various of space shuttle launching

NASA TV

File

Still photo of crew

APTN

2.2.03 - Houston, Texas

Entrance to Johnson Space Centre

Close up sign

Zoom in to child putting flowers down

NORTH AMERICA

SCHWARZENEGGER GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA

11:12:24

Movie action-hero Arnold Schwarzenegger made a successful transition into politics winning the governorship of America's richest state, California. He overcame charges of sexual misconduct by 15 women to win the seat for the Republican party from outgoing Democrat Gray Davis. A field of 135 candidates stood for election in the recall ballot.

APTN

3.10.03 - Arcadia, California, USA

Wide shot of Arnold Schwarzenegger throwing T-shirt to crowd at rally

APTN

5.9.03 - Los Angeles, California

Candidates listed on recall ballot list

APTN

30.9.03 - Los Angeles, California, USA

People voting in recall election at early polling station

APTN

7.9.03 - Los Angeles, California, USA

California Governor Gray Davis (in blue shirt standing on top of bus) waving to crowd during parade

NORTH AMERICA

MICHAEL JACKSON ARREST

11:13:00

Pop star Michael Jackson faces charges of child molestation that could destroy the superstar's career and send him to prison for years. He appeared at a Santa Barbara jail in November to be charged before being released after posting bail set at 3 million U.S. dollars.

Jackson is charged by the state with lewd or lascivious acts with a child under age 14, punishable by three to eight years in prison.

Jackson had been in Las Vegas filming a music video when dozens of law enforcement agents swarmed his Neverland Ranch compound near Santa Barbara to serve a search warrant.

Similar allegations surfaced against Jackson a decade ago, but they never led to criminal charges and in 1994 the probe became inactive.

Jackson had maintained his innocence but reportedly paid a multimillion-dollar civil settlement and the child would not testify in any criminal proceeding.

POOL

20.11.03 - Santa Barbara, California, USA

Various Jackson convoy arrives at Santa Barbara County main jail gates

Jackson leaves car wearing handcuffs

APTN

Michael Jackson mug shot

Close up details and booking number

POOL

2.12.03 - Santa Maria, California, USA

Jackson puts hand over camera

NORTH AMERICA

POWER BLACKOUT

11:13:35

The lights went out across New York State, spreading as far as New England, Ohio, Michigan and into Canada in September. The blackout was the largest in U.S. history in terms of the number of people affected. Commuters were left stranded and flights at key airports were suspended. Many feared at the time the blackout was the result of a terrorist attack. It turned out that a minor power plant emergency in Ohio was to blame. FirstEnergy's Eastlake plant shutdown after a problem with an alarm system. The emergency led to the cutting off of a major supply route that fed into the massive electrical grid for the region. A major investigation was launched to prevent a repeat of the incident.

APTN

15.9.03 - New York, USA

Time Square

People buying and reading newspapers with headlines about blackout

Various of people sitting or lying on pavement

APTN

14.9.03 - New York, USA

Various shots of Madison Square Garden in the dark, lots of people waiting outside in the dark

11:19:55

APTN

14.9.03 - New York, USA

Various of people trapped inside a subway train with alarm ringing

NORTH AMERICA

HURRICANE ISABEL

11:14:12

APTN

Hurricane Isabel ploughed into America's eastern seaboard in September resulting in the deaths of 28 people, mostly in traffic related accidents. Winds in excess of 160 kilometres per hour (100 mph) lashed North Carolina's Outer Banks before the storm headed inland affecting Virginia, Maryland and later petering out over Canada. Some 1.4 million homes were left without power during the storm that led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from high risk low lying areas.

18.9.03 - Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

Sea foam at Virginia Beach

18.9.03 - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA

Gas station in heavy wind, debris detaches in high winds

18.9.03 - Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, USA

Ambulance on flooded road

Vehicles in flood waters

SOUTH AMERICA

VENEZUELA - ANTI CHAVEZ PROTESTS TURN VIOLENT

11:14:48

Venezuela's already crippled economy took a further beating during a national strike which lasted nine weeks but failed to achieve its goal of forcing President Hugo Chavez out of office. Thousands of people marched through the streets on a daily basis to show their opposition to Chavez and his leftist policies. Clashes between opposition groups and Chavez supporters left dozens injured.

Despite the collapse of the strike in February, opposition groups managed to gather 3 million signatures demanding a referendum on Chavez's rule, which they presented to the government in August. An electoral body for failing to meet technical requirements later rejected the petition.

APTN

3.1.03 - Caracas, Venezuela

Overhead shot - some protesters - Chavez opponents - breaking through police lines

Overhead shot Chavez opponents clashing with police, zoom out to smoke, crowd dispersing and tear gas being fired

APTN

3.1.03 - Caracas, Venezuela

Police lines in front of demonstration by Chavez supporters

Opposition demonstrators running with pistol

Opposition demonstrator shoots several times at Pro-Chavez supporters

People on the ground trying to run away from shoot out

Various of policemen lying on the ground to protect themselves against gun shots

Wide shot of car on fire

SOUTH AMERICA

BOLIVIA - MUDSLIDE

11:15:27

The mining town of Chima in Bolivia's jungle lowlands was hit by a mudslide in April. Rescue workers were hampered from reaching the site by treacherous road conditions caused by bad weather. Over a hundred families were left homeless by the slide and more than 40 people were killed.

APTN

1.4.03 - Chima, La Paz, Bolivia

Pan of destruction after landslide

Mid shot of men digging looking for bodies

Wide shot of rescue workers searching for people

Pan of town to crumble mountain

Various of destruction

SOUTH AMERICA

CHILE - TRIBUTE TO THE VICTIMS OF PINOCHET ENDS IN CLASHES

11:16:05

An annual tribute to victims of the regime of Chile's General Augusto Pinochet ended in clashes between demonstrators and police at Santiago's main cemetery in September. Police fired tear gas and used water cannons on the crowd. Organisers blamed infiltrators and vandals who threw rocks and Molotov cocktails for starting the violence. More than five thousand people had marched 20 blocks peacefully before the clashes broke out. September 11 marks the anniversary of the 1973 coup in which Pinochet ousted Marxist President Salvador Allende.

APTN

14.9.03 - Santiago, Chile

March commemorating Chilean President Salvador Allende's death in 1973

Demonstrators holding stills of disappeared during Chile's military regime

Demonstrators setting US flags on fire

Demonstrator throwing fire bomb

Police running away from scene

Water cannons approaching scene

Demonstrators throwing fire bombs

Riot police charging towards demonstrators

SOUTH AMERICA

COLOMBIA - KIDNAPPINGS

11:16:41

Colombian rebels kidnapped a group of 8 foreign tourists from the archaeological ruins known as the Lost City in the Sierra Nevada mountains in September. One of the hostages, British teenager Matthew Scott, escaped days later by hurling himself down a precipice. Camouflaged gunmen of the leftist National Liberation Army, or E.L.N., took the group hostage and led them off into the jungle. Reinhilt Weigel of Germany and Spaniard Asier Huegen Echeverria were released two months later, and the rebels promised to release the rest of the group by Christmas.

Colombia has the world's highest kidnap rate at 3-thousand per year, with most of the abductions carried out for ransoms by the E.L.N. and the larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or F.A.R.C.

The rebel groups use the money from kidnappings and the drugs trade to fund a civil war that has been running for nearly 40 years. The kidnappings were a setback to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe who declared all-out war on both rebel groups with the help of millions of dollars in military aid from the U.S. government.

APTN

16.9.03 - Undisclosed location, Sierra Nevada mountains, Colombia

Aerial view of Sierra Nevada mountains

APTN

File 2001

Pull out of FARC guerrillas in the former safe haven

Guerrillas walking

Mid shot of guerrillas walking with weapons

APTN

16.9.03 - Santa Marta, Colombia

Various of streets and hostel where some foreigners were staying

APTN

24.11.03 - Valledupar, Colombia

Various Reinhilt Weigel and Asier Huegen Echeverra speaking on satellite phone to their families

SOUTH AMERICA

ARGENTINA - PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION AND ECONOMIC CRISIS

11:17:18

Argentina's economic woes continued to deepen during 2003. An International Monetary Fund loan of 12.5 billion U.S. dollars over the next three years was agreed in September to help the country out of its crisis. But Argentina had already defaulted on a debt of 90 billion U.S. dollars and there was little sign of an upturn in the nations' fortunes. Argentineans were already suffering after 5 years of recession, record unemployment and a massive currency devaluation.

Incoming president Nestor Kirchner was given the task of rebuilding the country. His mandate was weak, gaining office only after former President Carlos Menem dropped out of an election runoff. Kirchner campaigned on promises to defend domestic jobs and industry after more than a decade of unbridled free market policies.

POOL

25.5.03 - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Outgoing President Eduardo Duhalde putting on presidential sash to Nestor Kirchner

APTN

16.1.03 - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Various shots of Buenos Aires stock exchange

Various of exchange rate signs

Pull out from bank sign to wide shot of fortified bank

Wide shot of fortified Citibank

Graffiti on bank wall

OCEANIA

SOLOMON ISLANDS - CYCLONE

11:17:55

A cyclone hit the remote Temotu province of the Solomon Islands in January causing damage to the tiny islands of Tikopia and Anuta. With winds of over 360 kilometres per hour (225 miles per hour) Cyclone Zoe wiped out communications to the islands and devastated homes and crops. It took nine days for rescue workers the stricken islands. While badly damaged, the islands suffered no casualties from among their 3,700 inhabitants.

POOL

2.1.03 - Tikopia Island, Solomon Islands

Aerial shots of Tikopia island, showing fallen trees and damaged buildings

Tikopia island below amongst clouds

POOL

2.1.03 - Honiara, Solomon Islands

Beach with boats and palm trees

Coastline

POPE

POPE IN SPAIN, SLOVAKIA AND CROATIA

11:18:32

Defying his failing health, Pope John Paul II maintained a gruelling schedule of pilgrimages during 2003. The pope suffers from Parkinson's disease and looked increasingly frail during the course of the year. The pontiff, who turned 83 this year, paid visits to Spain, Slovakia and Croatia. His trip to Croatia marked his 100th pilgrimage and in October he celebrated the 25th anniversary of his papacy.

During the year he courted controversy by speaking out against the war in Iraq.

POOL

3.5.03 - Madrid, Spain

Aerial shot airbase with thousands gathered

Various shots of pope being driven through crowds in bullet proof car

Various pope being wheeled onto stage on trolley waving to crowds

Two shots pope waving

POOL

4.5.03 - Madrid, Spain

King and Queen go up to receive blessing

POOL

9.6.03 - Zadar, Croatia

High wide of crowd attending open-air liturgy by Pope John Paul II

Close up pope speaking

High shot of crowd and buildings

Nuns waving from a window

Pope

11:19:36

APTN

11.9.03 - Bratislava, Slovakia

Pope with president and his wife at president's residence

Close up Pope

APTN

11.9.03 - Tvarna, Slovakia

Interior of church

Pope moving up aisle with entourage

Pope speaking to crowd

Man holding hands with pope

SADDAM LOOKALIKES

11:20:12

Saddam Hussein may still be in hiding, but his look-alikes were out in force in London in May as they took part in an open audition to play the former Iraqi leader.

The candidates showed up at the Riverside Studios in west London - donning black berets, khaki flak jackets and black moustaches - in the hope of winning the part of one of the world's most wanted men in a new West End show.

If one of Saddam's known body doubles had attended the audition, he would have done well.

The actors clamouring to play the part included one woman and men - all much taller, smaller, fatter, thinner and paler than the real thing.

APTN

1.5.03 - London, UK

Auditions Saddam Hussein look-alike contest

Various of Saddam Hussein look-alikes walking through street

Saddam Hussein look-alike waving, show director watching

Saddam Hussein contestants posing for camera

ITALIANS KILLED IN IRAQ

11:20:48

Twenty-eight people were killed, including 19 Italians, when a suicide bomber blew up a truck full of explosives outside an Italian military base in Iraq in November. It was Italy's single worst military loss since World War II. The attack is likely to hasten calls for a speeded-up transition of power to Iraqis and a full pullout of Italian troops. Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's government supported the U.S. led war in Iraq, sending troops to the region, despite the opposition of the majority of his people.

APTN

12.11.03 - Nasiriyah, southern Iraq

Various of smoke following explosion outside Italian headquarters

Various of injured people in hospital

Various security following attacks

SADDAM HUSSEIN CAPTURED

11:21:38

Baghdad, 14 Dec 2003

SOUNDBITE: (English) Paul Bremer, US administrator:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we got him!"

Wide shot showing journalists cheering, pulls into show Bremer looking

close to tears, pulls out to wide shot

SOUNDBITE: (English) Paul Bremer, US administrator:

"Saddam Hussein was captured on Saturday, December 13 at about 8:30p.m.

(17:30 GMT) local in a cellar in the town of Dour which is about 15

kilometres (9 miles) south of Tikrit"

Map showing area where Saddam was found by coalition forces .

US Military Video

Location Unknown - 14 Dec 2003

Mute

Various of hole where Saddam Hussein was found

Various of Saddam Hussein undergoing medical checks

Close-up of Saddam Hussein

ENDS: 11:23:40

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