U.S and Kuwaiti investigators are trying to determine who was responsible for an attack, in which one American civilian was killed, and another critically wounded.
It happened Tuesday north of Kuwait City, near the U.S. military installation of Camp Doha. The two civilian contractors for the U.S. Defense Department were riding in a sports utility vehicle, and had stopped at a traffic light, when their vehicle came under fire.
The dead man is identified as 46-year-old Michael Puliout. The other man, David Caraway, is listed in stable condition in a Kuwaiti hospital, after surgery to remove several bullets.
Visiting the hospital, Deputy Speaker of the Kuwaiti Parliament, Mishery al-Anjary:
MISHERY AL-ANJURY
“It's a terrible thing, acts like this are difficult to prevent in any country, even in Kuwaiti society. We are determined to capture the perpetrators.”
No group has claimed responsibility for the shooting. Investigators believe it was the work of a single gunman firing a Kalashnikov rifle. The shooting was the first assault on U.S. civilians in Kuwait and the third on Americans there since October. Thousands of U.S. troops are now in Kuwait, preparing for a possible war with Iraq.
In London, police used battering rams and ladders to raid a mosque in Britain’s biggest anti-terrorist operation since September 11. Seven men were arrested. The raid was linked to the recent discovery of the deadly poison Ricin in a London apartment. Police spokesman, Andy Trotter.
ANDY TROTTER
“There were no traces of any chemical found so far and it’s document and computers that we’re focusing on right now.”
Suspects arrested during the earlier discovery of the Ricin poison are believed to have connections to the mosque. British anti-terrorist police say they are watching a large number of people and intend to make further arrests.
In Afghanistan, a U.S. military base north of Kabul came under rocket attack and small arms fire on Wednesday. U.S. soldiers returned fire and one of the assailants was believed injured. Military spokesperson, Sergeant Kelly Tyler
SGT. KELLY TYLER
“There were no U.S. casualties or damage to equipment. Close air support was requested but saw no immediate activity in the area.”
U.S. troops in Afghanistan, seen here during military exercises, frequently come under rocket attack and small arms fire. Reports of casualties or significant damage are rare.