By: E&P Staff The dress code at the Blue Star restaurant located within Baghdad?s relatively protected Green Zone now calls for vest and hat, McClatchy Mike Drummond writes from that city today. "Flak vest and Kevlar helmet, to be precise," he adds.
Drummond explained that a State Department order earlier this week, which he obtained, telling its 1000 personnel to wear armor was considered a "security breach" by officials. It was sent after 35 rockets or mortars landed in the Green Zone in one day.
He also revealed that a U.S. soldier had told him that at least four mortar rounds hit inside the Green Zone about 1:30 p.m. Saturday, killing two Iraqi civilians.
?As a result of the recent increase of indirect fire attacks on the International Zone, outdoor movement is restricted to a minimum,? the order states. ?Remain within a hardened structure to the maximum extent possible and strictly avoid congregating outdoors. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory until further notice.
?Public places that are not in a hardened structure ? such as the Blue Star Restaurant ? should be frequented only in conjunction with the use of your PPE.?
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