Iraq Is Free
U.S. transfers sovereignty to Iraqi govt.: "The U.S.-led coalition transferred sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government Monday, speeding up the move by two days in an apparent bid to surprise insurgents who may have tried to sabotage the step toward self rule."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press



Iraq dominates NATO summit: "NATO leaders opened a summit Monday dominated by the situation in Iraq as the U.S.-led administration handed over power to an Iraqi government two days ahead of schedule in an apparent attempt to surprise insurgents."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press



Palestinian militants kill two Israelis: "Palestinians fired a barrage of home-made rockets at this Israeli border town Monday, killing an Israeli man and a 3-year-old boy near a nursery as youngsters were arriving at school."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press

Iraq War News
The multibillion robbery the US calls reconstruction (26 June 04) in Radio Free USA



US edicts curb power of Iraq's leadership (27 June 04) in Radio Free USA



More than 40,000 protest Bush in Turkey: "Tens of thousands of Turks chanting anti-Bush slogans demonstrated against the president's visit to their country on Sunday and a NATO summit."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Suspected Taliban kill 10 Afghans: "Suspected Taliban gunmen stopped a van packed with people on a road in southern Afghanistan, then sprayed the occupants with bullets after finding that they had registered to vote, a local police official said Sunday. Ten people were killed."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



NATO to create alliance for Iraqi forces: "NATO's mission to train Iraqi forces will include alliance forces both inside and outside of the country, the NATO Secretary General said Sunday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



U.S. working to free Turkish hostages: "The United States is doing all it can to locate and free three Turkish nationals kidnapped by terrorists in Iraq who are threatening to cut off their heads, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Nato agrees to train Iraqi troops: "Nato ambassadors meeting in Turkey reach an initial agreement to train Iraq's armed forces."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq (UK Edition)



Turks 'face beheading' in Iraq: "Al-Qaeda militants threaten to kill three Turks unless Ankara pulls firms out of Iraq, al-Jazeera reports."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq (UK Edition)



Iraq leader warns of poll delay: "Iraq's Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi says January's planned election may be pushed back unless the violence abates."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq (UK Edition)

Iraq War News
Lugar Warns NATO Its Reputation at Stake in Iraq: "U.S. Senator Richard Lugar warned NATOSaturday that its reputation would stand or fall on itscommitment to act in Iraq, after bickering erupted among alliesover an offer to help Baghdad train its security forces. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



PM asks Bush to return detainees: "Prime Minister Tony Blair has personally asked US President George Bush to send home the four remaining British detainees in Guantanamo Bay."

In Ananova: War In Iraq



Bush seeks Iraq help...Security tight in Turkey...Rapper arrested in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Car bombing, rocket attack targets Kurds, Shiites...Soldier killed in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Iraq Insurgency Showing Signs of Momentum: "BAGHDAD - As this week's coordinated violence demonstrates, Iraq's insurgent movement is increasingly potent, riding a wave of anti-U.S. nationalism and religious extremism. Just days before an Iraqi government takes control of the country, experts and some commanders fear it may be too late to turn back the militant tide. (Los Angeles Times)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Six Die in Iraq Violence Ahead of Handover: "A car bomb explosion killed a manand wounded 40 people in the Kurdish city of Arbil on Saturdayas insurgents kept up a bloody drive to derail Iraq'stransition to an interim government in four days' time. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Three killed in attack on Iraq offices: "Insurgents launched a spate of attacks in the strife-ridden northern city of Baqouba, killing three people and wounding two, hospital officials and witnesses said. Six guerrillas were also killed."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Iraqi PM's party office blown up, rebels storm second political party base: "Rebels blew up the local headquarters of Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi's political party in Baquba and staged a deadly attack on the offices of a major Shiite political party in the city Saturday, witnesses said. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Anti-Bush protest march: "A protest march against the arrival of US President George Bush at Ireland's Shannon airport has passed off peacefully."

In Ananova: War In Iraq



Iraqi Military Won't Get Tanks: "The lightly armed military taking shape in Iraq is far different from Saddam Hussein's massive force, and the United States appears to want it that way - at least for the time being. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Mehdi Army Ready to Fight Terrorists: "A day late, as I've been down with the Dreaded Lurgy, but here we have from the AFP via the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) the latest from Al Sadr :

Radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army has declared a truce by loud speaker in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City, saying it is ready to help protect important sites from terror attacks.
" Considering the exceptional circumstances that our people face, we have decided to stop from tonight the military operations in Sadr City until we receive new orders ," the militia's central committee said.
" All the Mehdi Army will respect this decision or face expulsion ."
The Mehdi Army is offering to protect Government buildings, hospitals, power stations, water stations, service stations and oil refineries.
Fighting has rocked the Shiite Muslim slum of Sadr City almost nightly since Sadr rose up against US forces in the first week of April.
The statement says the Mehdi Army is ready to protect " all those who might be targeted by terrorists notably in the coming two weeks ," referring to the June 30 handover of power in Iraq.
" The Mehdi Army proves day after day it cares for the greater interests of the oppressed people of Iraq ," it said.

Note that this announcement of ?protection' came before the latest round of attacks which have killed nearly 100 Iraqis."

In Command Post: Irak



Foreign Fighters in Fallujah?: "Accounts vary.
From the AFP via the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) :

A leading sheikh, Abdallah Janabi, condemns the attacks as launched " under the pretext that Zarqawi is based in Fallujah ".
" There are no foreign fighters here ", he said.

Then there's an account published on Hammorabi , an Iraqi Blog :

The names of the (so called)"mujahdin" (i call them killers)Arab nationalities died in the last American attack on Fallujah on 19-06-2004
1.Muhamed bin Salem Al-asmari Saudi
2.Abdullah bin Baz Al-utaibi Saudi
3.Muhamed Al-zahrani Saudi
4.Sa'ad bin Khaled Al-shahri Saudi
5.Abu Muhamed Al-Kusaimi Saudi
6.Muftaah saed Abu-dajana Emirates
7.Sultaan Mutaseem Al-ashmuri Yemen
8.Zakaria Abu-alabaas Morroco
9.Saed Muhamed Abu-zaaker Algeria
10.Mahmud uthman Al-shaikh Syria
11.Abu-attah Lybia
12.Abu Abdullah Somalia
13.Kaari Handalh Somalia
14.Omaar Hamid Khlil Iraq (Kurdistan)
15.Saif Al-Turkstani China
16.Abu Al-waleed Mauritania

Original source for this is ?quoted as one of the Islamic (wahabi) web sites', but I have been unable to find which one. Can any readers help verify or debunk this?"

In Command Post: Irak



Protesting Bush...Dead man walking...Schwarzenegger in the dog house in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Terror-mastermind targeted...Bush faces protests...Ryan drops out in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Iraq War News
Britain to probe claims Iraqi bodies were mutilated in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Judge Declares Abu Ghraib a Crime Scene: "A military judge on Monday declared the notorious Abu Ghraib prison a crime scene that cannot be demolished as President Bush had offered. He also refused to move the trial of a soldier accused of abusing inmates. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Four U.S. Soldiers Killed in Attack West of Baghdad: "Four U.S. soldiers have been founddead west of Baghdad, apparently killed in an attack by Iraqiinsurgents, witnesses said on Monday. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



First Basra pipeline repaired, oil pumped to terminals: "Oil started flowing again to Iraqi sea terminals for export after a pipeline torn up last week by saboteurs was repaired, an official of the US-led coalition in Iraq told AFP. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Iraq: How Many Captives?: "Hours after terrorists released a video threatening to behead a South Korean hostage in Iraq, a report surfaced that the same kidnappers may be holding as many as ten other foreigners captive. The report has not been officially confirmed."

In CBS News: Iraq Crisis



Judge declares Abu Ghraib a crime scene: "A military judge on Monday declared the notorious Abu Ghraib prison a crime scene that cannot be demolished as President Bush had offered. He also refused to move the trial of a soldier accused of abusing inmates."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Abu Ghraib prison will stand...Hostages in Iraq...Clinton book in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Iraq begins pumping oil to Basra export terminal in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Generals face Abu Ghraib hearings: "A judge says the defence team of a soldier accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners can question top US generals."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq (UK Edition)



Report: Others Held With S. Korean in Iraq: "As many as 10 foreigners are being held captive with a South Korean recently abducted by militants in Iraq, a South Korean news report said Monday. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Head of US forces in Iraq to be questioned in prisoner scandal: "A military judge said the defence team of a US soldier accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners will be allowed to interview the head of US-led forces in Iraq and ordered that Abu Ghraib prison where the alleged outrages took place should remain open. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Lawyer Wants Bush on Witness Stand Over Iraq Abuse: "A lawyer defending a U.S. soldiercharged with abusing prisoners in Iraq said on Monday he wouldseek to put President Bush and Secretary of Defense DonaldRumsfeld on the witness stand. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Al-Qaida ties to Iran, Pakistan cited: "WASHINGTON ? The chairman of the Sept. 11 commission said Sunday that al-Qaida had much more interaction with Iran and Pakistan than it did with Iraq."

In Kansas City Star: Iraq



Judge denies hearing in prison abuse case: "A lawyer for one of three soldiers accused in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal asked a military judge Monday to order a new hearing into charges against his client because the turmoil of Iraq prevented him from being able to question witnesses. The judge denied the request."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Saudis wonder about municipal election: "A father and son stop in front of a clearly marked "Ballot Box." The son asks, "Daddy, what's a ballot box?" The father opens a money bag, and responds: "It's for a charitable society. Here, put this riyal in it." The cartoon, which appeared in Al Watan newspaper in November, pokes fun at the Saudis' lack of experience in elections."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Sadr invited to Iraqi conference: "The committee preparing next month's Iraqi national conference says it has invited the radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq



in



in

Iraq War News
Iraq to impose visa requirements: "In a bid to bolster security, all foreigners visiting Iraq after the interim government assumes power July 1 will require visas, an Interior Ministry official said Saturday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Saudi TV shows slain al-Qaida leader: "An al-Qaida cell fulfilled its threat to kill an American hostage, beheading him and showing the grisly photos on the Internet. Saudi officials claimed they later gunned down four militants including the cell leader who allegedly masterminded Paul M. Johnson's kidnapping."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Powell: U.S. should remain in Saudi Arabia: "Secretary of State Colin Powell says terrorists would earn a victory if American workers leave Saudi Arabia in response to a spate of terrorist attacks, including the murder of hostage Paul Johnson."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Terrorist dead...Bush condemns hostage killing...Fighting in Iraq in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



US hostage beheaded: "The al Qaida group which kidnapped American Paul M Johnson Jr said in an online statement that it had killed the hostage - and posted three still photographs of his beheaded body."

In Ananova: War In Iraq



Saudi anti-extremist campaign ineffective: "The Saudi government's intense public relations campaign to discourage people from supporting extremists isn't swaying some of its citizens, who still consider the militants heroes despite appeals from Muslim religious leaders."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Iran will announce uranium details: "Iran will announce in the coming days whether it will resume uranium enrichment activities that were criticized in a sharply worded rebuke from the U.N. nuclear watchdog."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Troops wounded in clash near Baghdad: "U.S. troops fought insurgents for a third straight day Saturday in an area north of Baghdad, wounding two American soldiers, U.S. military officials and witnesses said."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Bush Gets Boost From McCain on Iraq: "Before cheering troops, President Bush got a strong endorsement on Iraq and a boost for his re-election campaign Friday from Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican courted by Democrat John Kerry to be his running mate. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Shootout in Saudi Arabia...Denial from al-Qaida cell...Powell on beheading in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Saudi Arabia: militants dead...Condemnation of beheading...Fighting in Iraq in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



World leaders condemn slaying of American hostage in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Iraq War News
Iran rebuked in IAEA's harsh resolution: "The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency censured Iran for past cover-ups in a resolution adopted Friday, and warned Tehran to be more forthcoming if it wants an investigation of suspect activities to end."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Lebanese hostage released by Iraqis: "Iraqi kidnappers released a Lebanese construction worker kidnapped early this week, Lebanese government officials said Friday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



S. Korea to send troops to Iraq in Aug.: "South Korea will send 900 soldiers to northern Iraq in early August in the first stage of a troop deployment to assist the U.S.-led coalition, the Defense Ministry said Friday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Iraqi minister vows action after bombings: "Iraq's defense minister promised a "house-to-house" search for suspects who planned a suicide car bombing near a recruitment center in Baghdad that killed at least 35 Iraqis hoping to join the military."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Top general heads Iraq jail probe: "The US army has appointed a senior general to oversee the inquiry into prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq



US soldier on Iraq murder charge: "The US army is to bring murder charges against a soldier accused of shooting an Iraqi man injured in a car chase."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq



Saudi officials look for American hostage: "Saudi Arabia marshaled thousands of police in the search for American hostage Paul M. Johnson Jr. on Friday, as a 72-hour deadline loomed for the kingdom to release al-Qaida prisoners or see him killed."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Senate Votes For Larger Army: "Military leaders don't like the bill, and neither does the Bush administration, but the Senate has voted overwhelmingly to add 20,000 troops to help the Army cope with commitments in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world."

In CBS News: Iraq Crisis



Japan to join multinational force in Iraq: "Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's cabinet approved a plan to allow Japanese troops to join a UN-sanctioned multinational force in Iraq, a government spokesman said. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Oil market balanced on a knife's edge in absence of Iraqi crude: "The recent sabotage of Iraq's oil pipelines has raised fresh concerns about production capacity and room for maneuver in case of a crisis amid firm global oil demand. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Australian Minister Under Fire Over Iraq Abuse: "Australian Defense Minister RobertHill faced mounting criticism on Friday over his failure to acton reports of U.S. troops abusing Iraqi prisoners that hereceived in June 2003 -- 11 months before abuse pictures werefirst published. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Bush Insists al-Qaida-Saddam Ties Existed: "Saddam Hussein had "numerous contacts" with al-Qaida, President Bush said Thursday in disputing the Sept. 11 commission's finding that the former Iraqi leader had no strong ties to the terrorist network responsible for the attacks. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Bush and Cheney Talk Strongly of Qaeda Links With Hussein: "President Bush and Vice President Cheney said that they remain convinced that Saddam Hussein's government had a long history of ties to Al Qaeda."

In New York Times: World Special



Rumsfeld Admits He Told Jailers to Keep Detainee in Iraq Out of Red Cross View: "Pentagon officials acknowledged that an Iraqi who was held in a military jail should have been registered more quickly with the Red Cross."

In New York Times: World Special



Annan Rebukes U.S. for Move to Give Its Troops Immunity: "The secretary general harshly criticized the U.S. for seeking immunity for its peacekeeping troops from the International Criminal Court."

In New York Times: World Special



Suicide Car Bomb at Iraqi Army Recruiting Station Kills 35 Seeking to Enlist: "The attack was the deadliest in Iraq since a blast at the same recruiting station killed scores of Iraqis in February."

In New York Times: World Special



Some people still don't want you to see my movie...(17 June 04) in Radio Free USA

Iraq-war-photos-11-04-03

Iraq-war-photos-11-04-03: "'Let every nation know....whether it wishes us well or ill....



that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship,



support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and



the success of LIBERTY'



~John F. Kennedy ~



January 20, 1961"