Blair Says There Were Casualties

"This country and the wider world will never forget them."

Those words from a sadden British Prime Minister Tony Blair, after word that an RAF C-130 had gone down about 25 miles northwest of Baghdad Sunday, as people all over the Middle Eastern country went to the polls to elect a national assembly.

Wreckage was reported scattered over a large area, according to news reports. No word
was available on survivors or cause of the crash, and the incident remains under
investigation.

During a press conference in London Sunday, Blair said a number of soldiers perished in the crash. "This is the true face of the British Army: brave, committed, professional the world over, doing an extraordinary job on behalf of their country," he said.

The BBC quotes officials at the British Defense Ministry as saying the aircraft was based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire. Although Blair confirmed British soldiers had died in the downing, there was no immediate word on how many were on board when the Hercules went down.

The C-130 was on its way from Baghdad to the huge US airbase at Balan when it went down.

RAF Wing Commander Nigel Arnold, based at RAF Lyneham, told the BBC members of the victims' families were being notified.

"Until that's done I am afraid we will not be releasing any details of the crew," he said. "The welfare of these families is our priority at the moment."

It was indeed a day of violence as Iraqis went to the polls in spite of threats of violence, electing a national assembly that will draft the country's new, democratic constitution. President Bush joined Prime Minister Blair in extending his sympathy to the families of those who were lost.

"We also mourn the American and British military personnel who lost their lives today. Their sacrifices were made in a vital cause of freedom, peace in troubled region, and a more secure future for us all."

FMI: www.raf.mod.uk