Saddam loyalists suspected in New Year's Eve blast

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A U.S. military commander said Thursday that supporters of Saddam Hussein most likely carried out a New Year's Eve attack on a Baghdad restaurant.

Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt told CNN eight people were killed in the car bomb attack on the Nabil restaurant in central Baghdad, which took place at 9:22 p.m. (1:22 p.m. ET), as patrons celebrated the imminent arrival of a new year.

No soldiers were killed or wounded at the restaurant but the civilian death toll remains unclear.

While the U.S. military reports eight people were killed, Iraqi police said seven were dead and 20 others wounded. Gen. Ahmed Kadhim Ibrahim, Iraq's national police chief, told CNN five people -- all Iraqis -- were killed and 14 others wounded.

Ibrahim also blamed the attack on a suicide bomber, but the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority said the vehicle -- a green BMW -- was remotely detonated. (Full story)

More: http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/01/01/sprj.irq.main/

But... but...

[are_we_united_yet]

1. I can see the next headline already

Breaking News: "Saddam Loyalists are stealing American Jobs" said one Bush Administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

[Jacobin]

2. Ah yes, the all-purpose boogey man......saddamloyalists.

explains all bad things in the world.

Maybe they are just Iraqi nationalists who want their fricking country back from the invading hordes.

Just a thought.

[maggrwaggr]

3. there's some quality journalism for you

A military man who has absolutely no idea who actually bombed the restaurant goes into 100% speculation mode ....

And CNN reports it like it's some kind of fact.

Uh ... does anyone actually take any journalism courses anymore?

The only fact is that this guy has no fucking idea who bombed the restaurant. But he's willing to guess.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. It's the new American game... Play ball with the administration or

the FCC isn't going to like you and you'll never get into another WH news conference.

[daleo]

5. But Saddam was captured

How can there still be loyalists? Don't they watch CNN?