Vol. 71/No. 10 March 12, 2007
The U.S. military said Hakims convoy traveled along a route used to supply weapons from Iran to Shiite militias in Iraq, according to the Associated Press.
About the same time, Iraqs prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, announced that some 400 members of Sunni- and Shiite-led militias have been killed, and a similar number arrested, by U.S. and Iraqi government forces in the first 10 days of a crackdown launched in Baghdad in mid-February. The U.S. government is sending 21,500 additional troops to Iraq to spearhead the operation.
Meanwhile, antiwar posturing by Democrats in the U.S. Congress continues to sputter. A proposal by Rep. John Murtha, chairman of the House of Representatives subcommittee on defense appropriations, to tie U.S. funding for the war to readiness of the troops being deployed is all but dead in the water, according to press reports.
Amar al-Hakim said during his detention by U.S. troops that he was handcuffed and blindfolded and his bodyguards were strongly abused, according to AP. Hakim said he was told by the U.S. military that he was being held because his passport had expired. However, he displayed a passport valid until September, AP reported.
Leaders of SCIRI were exiled in Iran during the reign of Saddam Husseins Baath party regime in Iraq. SCIRI has kept close ties with the government of Iran but also maintains good relations with Washington.
Iraqs cabinet approved a new draft oil law February 26. The U.S. rulers view its passage as a key component in establishing a stable regime in Iraq friendly to U.S. interests in the region.
A summary of the law shows that the central government would distribute oil revenues to Iraqs 18 provinces based on population. It would also open Iraqs vast oil reserves to extensive investment by foreign companies. A compromise in the draft law allows the Kurdish regional government to negotiate and sign contracts with foreign companies for oil exploration and production. The contracts would be reviewed by Baghdad. The measure still needs to be approved by Iraqs parliament.
Back in Washington, Democrats in the House have pulled back from the Murtha Plan due to strong opposition within their party.
Aides to Democratic politicians said Murthas proposal would be revised to drop some of the more stringent restrictions on troop deployments, such as being trained with the equipment they will use before being sent to Iraq, reported the Washington Post.
Democrats in the Senate said they are considering a proposal to revise the 2002 Congressional resolution authorizing the invasion of Iraq. The proposal would keep U.S. troops in Iraq for a year. An unspecified number of troops would remain beyond that time to train Iraqis, secure Iraqs borders, and continue counterterrorism operations.
Related articles:
Washington presses for more sanctions against Iran
U.S.-led offensive deals blows to terror group in Philippines
U.S. Special Forces operate from bases in Ethiopia
London to beef up force in Afghanistan
And pull 1,600 troops from Iraq
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