Iraq War News

Washington is considering a new United Nations mandate for troops in Iraq, amid continuing attacks on U.S. soldiers there.
19/07/2003 21:37
VOA

Officials say a soldier in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division died early Saturday in central Baghdad, when troops guarding a bank came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and small arms.
Since President Bush declared major combat over on May 1, more than 30 U.S. soldiers have been killed by hostile fire and troops have come under almost daily attack by Saddam Hussein loyalists.

With the mounting casualties and the enormous cost of rebuilding Iraq, Washington said Friday it is willing to consider a new mandate giving the United Nations a bigger role in peacekeeping and reconstruction in Iraq. Some nations, most recently Russia, have said they are willing to send peacekeepers and to help rebuild Iraq, but only with a United Nations mandate. A report in the Washington Post newspaper quotes experts who suggest that some countries might prefer to have their troops under U.N. supervision, rather than under the command of the Americans or the British.

And in another development, a prominent Shiite cleric told thousands of followers in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf Friday that the new Iraqi Governing Council is a puppet of the U.S. administration. Moqtada Sadr called on Iraqis to reject the Council and volunteer for an independent Shiite army.

Shiite Muslims make up about 60 percent of Iraq's population and their support would be vital to the success of any new Iraqi government.




Bakutoday.net - Independent Online Newspaper

U.S. soldiers blow up Saddam statue: "With a thunderous explosion from 12 pounds of plastic explosives, the U.S. military toppled a 30-foot statue of Saddam Hussein on horseback from its perch overlooking the dictator's hometown Friday. Soldiers also defused a huge homemade bomb near Baghdad's airport."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press



Bush, Blair defend claims about Iraq arms: "President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair contend they won't be proved wrong in their prewar claims about Iraq's weapons capabilities. Even if they are, says Blair, a menace has been defeated."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press



Analysts reportedly missed faked documents: "Documents alleging Iraq sought uranium from Africa were obtained months before President Bush cited them in making his case for war, but intelligence analysts did not look at them closely enough to know they were forgeries until after Bush had made the claim, U.S. officials say."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press



Philippines OKs cease-fire with rebels: "The Philippine government announced a cease-fire deal with a Muslim rebel group Friday, agreeing to drop arrest warrants against rebel leaders for alleged terrorism to pave the way for peace talks as early as next week."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press



Israel may free jailed Islamic militants: "Israel may release a few dozen Islamic militants along with several hundred other Palestinian prisoners, a move that could give a critical boost to lagging peace efforts, an Israeli newspaper reported Friday."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press



New chip can be implanted in humans: "Borrowing from technology for tracking pets, a U.S. company on Thursday launched Mexican sales of microchips that can be implanted under a person's skin and used to confirm health history and identity."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press