whottt
09-01-2005, 10:37 PM
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1451467.htm
National Guardsman shot PRINT FRIENDLY EMAIL STORY
AM - Friday, 2 September , 2005 08:04:00
Reporter: Michael Vincent
TONY EASTLEY: The National Guard has confirmed that one of its soldiers was shot, probably by looters.
Lieutenant Kevin Cowan from the Louisiana National Guard has been speaking to AM’s Michael Vincent.
KEVIN COWAN: There have been shootings, and some Federal agencies have stopped their operations temporarily until they deem it safe to do so. It's a shame that people have to… have to take actions and start shooting at people when they're trying to help.
MICHAEL VINCENT: Have any of your National Guardsmen come under fire?
KEVIN COWAN: Yes, we did have one shooting injury. He was medivac’d out of the superdome area and was taken to the medical facility, but he's doing fine. It was not life threatening.
MICHAEL VINCENT: What would you describe as the motivations for the people behind the shooting? Is it criminal elements or is it frustration?
KEVIN COWAN: No, it's absolutely criminal elements. There's no reason for anyone to be so desperate for food that they would take to shooting at rescue helicopters or rescue personnel who are trying to help, so it's 100 per cent criminal activity.
MICHAEL VINCENT: How would you describe the food and water relief supplies getting into New Orleans, is it adequate at this stage?
KEVIN COWAN: I would say adequate. Thirty-six palettes of food were delivered to the superdome last night, more food is on the way and those numbers are going to continue until the evacuees are completely removed from the superdome and the convention centre areas.
MICHAEL VINCENT: How long do you expect that will take?
KEVIN COWAN: Several factors are going to determine that, determine how many more transportation assets we're able to get so that we can do it sooner.
You have to realise that some of the roadways are inundated with water, so it just takes time to get all of the evacuees moved from the superdome to a collection area and moved from that collection area forward to the shelters.
MICHAEL VINCENT: But you're talking about some 24/48 hours, possibly even 72 hours away?
KEVIN COWAN: It could be up to that far. We're shooting for the best, but we're prepared to do it until the job is done.
TONY EASTLEY: Lieutenant Kevin Cowan from the Louisiana National Guard, speaking there with Michael Vincent.
National Guardsman shot PRINT FRIENDLY EMAIL STORY
AM - Friday, 2 September , 2005 08:04:00
Reporter: Michael Vincent
TONY EASTLEY: The National Guard has confirmed that one of its soldiers was shot, probably by looters.
Lieutenant Kevin Cowan from the Louisiana National Guard has been speaking to AM’s Michael Vincent.
KEVIN COWAN: There have been shootings, and some Federal agencies have stopped their operations temporarily until they deem it safe to do so. It's a shame that people have to… have to take actions and start shooting at people when they're trying to help.
MICHAEL VINCENT: Have any of your National Guardsmen come under fire?
KEVIN COWAN: Yes, we did have one shooting injury. He was medivac’d out of the superdome area and was taken to the medical facility, but he's doing fine. It was not life threatening.
MICHAEL VINCENT: What would you describe as the motivations for the people behind the shooting? Is it criminal elements or is it frustration?
KEVIN COWAN: No, it's absolutely criminal elements. There's no reason for anyone to be so desperate for food that they would take to shooting at rescue helicopters or rescue personnel who are trying to help, so it's 100 per cent criminal activity.
MICHAEL VINCENT: How would you describe the food and water relief supplies getting into New Orleans, is it adequate at this stage?
KEVIN COWAN: I would say adequate. Thirty-six palettes of food were delivered to the superdome last night, more food is on the way and those numbers are going to continue until the evacuees are completely removed from the superdome and the convention centre areas.
MICHAEL VINCENT: How long do you expect that will take?
KEVIN COWAN: Several factors are going to determine that, determine how many more transportation assets we're able to get so that we can do it sooner.
You have to realise that some of the roadways are inundated with water, so it just takes time to get all of the evacuees moved from the superdome to a collection area and moved from that collection area forward to the shelters.
MICHAEL VINCENT: But you're talking about some 24/48 hours, possibly even 72 hours away?
KEVIN COWAN: It could be up to that far. We're shooting for the best, but we're prepared to do it until the job is done.
TONY EASTLEY: Lieutenant Kevin Cowan from the Louisiana National Guard, speaking there with Michael Vincent.