Two Die When U.S. Copter Downed in Iraq

By LOURDES NAVARRO
Associated Press Writer

FALLUJAH, Iraq (AP) -- Gunmen shot down a U.S. attack helicopter during fighting in western Baghdad on Sunday, killing its two crew members. Insurgents and Marines called a cease-fire in the besieged city of Fallujah, but the fragile peace was shaken by a gunbattle that wounded two Americans.

A pall of black smoke rose on Baghdad's western edge where a military spokesman said the AH-64 Apache helicopter was downed by ground fire in the morning. More helicopters circled overhead, while U.S. troops closed off the main highway - a key supply route into the capital.

Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt told a news briefing Sunday that the two-member crew was killed and a quick-reaction team was collecting the bodies.

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649 american soldiers have died in pursuit of weapons of mass destruction that did not exist.