WRAP Shooting as Abbas visits mourners, comments
(15 Nov 2004) All Nightshots 1. Various of crowd surrounding Abbas' car 2. Various of Mahmoud Abbas and other officials walking through crowd (on his left is Nasser al Qudwa, Palestinian ambassador to UN and Yasser Arafat's nephew) 3. Zoom-in to mid shot of Abbas greeting mourners 4. Wide shot of crowd 5. Abbas talking to mourners 6. Gunmen walking through crowd 7. Abbas hurried past by security, AUDIO of gunfire 8. Audio of gunfire, gunmen shouting 9. People running for cover inside mourning tent, more AUDIO of gunfire 10. Abbas surrounded by officials 11. People running, AUDIO of gunfire 12. Wide exterior of mourning tent, AUDIO of gunfire 13. Ambulances at scene 14. Security 15. Ambulances 16. Wide shot of security at tent 17. SOUNDBITE (English): Yasser Abed Rabbo, Senior Palestinian official: "There was a friction between a few people in the hall where the thousands were gathering in order to see President Abu Mazen. Due to this friction, there was some exchange of shooting. This shooting was not directed against Abu Mazen or any of the leadership." 18. Set up shot 19. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas spokesman: "In the name of our merciful God. I hope this incident is an accident. Our goal is the stability and security of the Palestinian society. Our brothers from the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation) invited for talks as we consider them the main party in the Palestinian political process. 20. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Mahmoud Abbas, interim Palestinian president: "I confirm that it was no intention to shoot anybody, not from the (PLO) nor from outsiders (other Palestinian factions). It's normal in any crowded place that gunshots can cause accidental casualties." 21. Wide shot of photo opportunity STORYLINE: Gunfire erupted on Sunday at a tent set up in Gaza City for mourners paying their last respects to Yasser Arafat. Arafat's successor had just arrived at the site. Two security guards were killed and six other people were wounded, officials said, but Abbas was unharmed. The gunfire lasted several minutes, they said. The shooting erupted about five minutes after Mahmoud Abbas arrived in a motorcade. Witnesses said gunmen fired in the air and Abbas' bodyguards also fired in the air. Associated Press Television News pictures showed a group of about 20 men entering the mourning tent where Abbas, Gaza 'strongman' Mohammed Dahlan and other key Palestinian leaders had come to mourn for Arafat. Abbas' bodyguards hustled him into a corner as frightened mourners scrambled over plastic chairs to flee. Abbas was taken to Palestinian headquarters after the shooting, witnesses said. Speaking to reporters after the incident, senior Palestinian official Yasser Abed Rabbo said the shooting was not directed against Abbas or any of the leadership. Abbas himself also insisted there had been no assassination attempt. The outburst of internal violence will raise concerns amongst the Palestinian leadership who want to ensure a smooth smooth transition of power. Arafat, who died on Thursday, led the Palestinians for four decades and refused to appoint a successor. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
