(20 Dec 2008)
1. Wide of Santa arriving at the International Zone, greeted by Iraqi children and their parents UPSOUND: cheering and clapping
2. Close-up of children gathering around Santa to touch his beard
3. Tilt down from mid of Santa talking to reveal top shot of children gathering around
4. Wide of children gathered around Santa to receive presents
5. Various of Santa sitting, handing out presents to children UPSOUND: clapping
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Shober, Santa:
"It is my great pleasure to be able to represent Christmas, to represent the spirit of Christmas and the joy of Christmas, and give presents to these children, hopefully to make memories for them that will last a lifetime."
7. Rear view of Santa giving present to Anglican priest, Andrew White
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Anglican vicar, Andrew White:
"Most people only ever see the fighting and the abuse in Iraq. And this is a day of celebration, a day of rejoicing and a day where the Coalition has been able to provide for the most wonderful people in the world who happen to be Iraqis."
9. Wide of Santa posing for photographs with parents, US soldiers and children gathered around him
STORYLINE:
Santa brought some Christmas cheer to the lives of Iraqi children gathered at Baghdad's International Zone on Friday, handing out presents and posing for photographs.
Dozens of Christian and Muslim children came together for the occasion which appeared to be well received by all.
Bill Shober who dressed up as Santa for the day said it was his great pleasure to represent the spirit and joy of Christmas by handing out presents to the children.
Reverend Canon Andrew White, vicar of St. George's Church, Baghdad, the only Anglican church in Iraq said the day was a day of celebration since most people only ever see images of fighting and abuse coming out of Iraq.
White also noted that the American troops had helped to enable the children to share the tradition of Santa Claus.
Also called the Green Zone, the International Zone is a heavily fortified central Baghdad district housing the US Embassy and Iraqi government offices.
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