Green Zone: 10 minutes to leave but 3 hours to get back in

Two suicide bombers killed five civilians, including three U.S. nationals, on Thursday in one of the bloodiest attacks inside &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/war/2003/04/08/45800.html ' target=_blank>Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, and America's top enemy in Iraq claimed responsibility.

The attacks on a souvenir bazaar and a cafe frequented by &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/accidents/21/93/374/12445_Iraq.html ' target=_blank>U.S. troops and civilians were the first suicide bombings inside what is supposed to be the safest place in Iraq. The country's interim government immediately vowed to strike back.

Officials said 18 people were wounded, including three U.S. military personnel and a U.S. civilian. One Iraqi was among the dead. The nationalities of the others are not yet known. The blasts, on the eve of the Muslim holy fasting month of &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2000/12/19/1546.html ' target=_blank>Ramadan, occurred within minutes of each other about lunchtime, setting the bazaar alight and gutting the Green Zone Cafe, informs Reuters.

The American planners who drew the Green Zone perimeter had to include hundreds of middle class homes because they were near important government buildings that couldn't be left out. Many of those people aren't happy about their American neighbors.