Becky Diamond: Excitement as aid arrives
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CNN's Becky Diamond aboard the HMAS Kanimbla
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The HMS Sir Galahad carrying 200 tons of food, water and medical supplies nears the port at Umm Qasr. It arrived Friday. CNN's Becky Diamond reports. (March 28)
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SPECIAL REPORT
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ABOARD THE HMAS KANIMBLA (CNN) -- A British ship carrying nearly 200 tons of humanitarian aid for the Iraqi people docked Friday in the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq. That ship, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Galahad, was initially delayed by concerns about underwater mines.
CNN's Becky Diamond is aboard an Australian ship near the Sir Galahad, and she reports on the anticipated arrival.
DIAMOND: It was a terrific morning for the HMAS Kanimbla. This is a ship that oversees the coordination of the mine sweeping operations, and on the deck this morning the sailors could see the Sir Galahad passing through just about 100 feet off the ship's side. They were taking pictures, they were quite excited about it.
This ship has been delayed several days because of mine threats in the area in the water. Navy divers and mine sweepers discovered possible mine-like objects and they have detonated them.
These objects caused secondary explosions. It means that there were explosives within the objects.
Keep in mind, a lot of underwater objects are detonated but they do not always have a second explosion so this caused some concern and it prompted officials to delay the Sir Galahad.
This morning, about 9 a.m. local time, the ship went through and it was a coalition show of force. It was led by a British mine sweeper, then the Sir Galahad, followed by Kuwaiti, American and British patrol boats.
