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12/02/2004
Iraq terror bombers care nothing for the country's people: Straw
The terrorists who committed the bomb attacks in Iraq this week "care nothing for the country's people", the Foreign Secretary has said today.
Mr Straw said that the perpetrators had "callously targeted" those Iraqis who wanted to "serve their countrymen and work to build a safer future for all".
At least 46 Iraqis were killed in yesterday's Baghdad car bomb – bringing the death toll during that 24 hour-period to 100.
Like Tuesday's explosion in Iskandiriyah, Iraqi civilians were the targets as they queued up to seek work in the country's fledgling security services.
US officials believe that a suicide bomber drove a car, loaded with between 135-225kg of explosives, close to the building before detonating the device. One eyewitness described the scene as "apocalyptic", with many body parts strewn among the carnage.
"My sympathies are with the friends and families of those who lost their lives. I say to them that we will not let the terrorists succeed in deterring us from working together to build a stable and democratic Iraq with proper rule of law," Mr Straw said.
"This will be the Iraqi people's best defence against terrorism," the Foreign Secretary said.
The second bomb attack tragically confirmed that the rebels had changed tactics to target Iraqi civilians wishing to serve in the security forces – viewed as collaborators by rebels. More than 150,000 Iraqis are currently employed in the country's security services.
The attacks coincide with the visit of a UN team, sent to the area to consider the feasibility of holding early elections in Iraq. The deadline is also closing in for the official handover of power from US-led administrators to an Iraqi governing council - which is scheduled for June 30.
On Tuesday, the US published a 17-page letter, said to have been seized in the capture of an al Qaeda courier last month.
The letter seeks al Qaeda's help in instigating ethnic violence to derail progress toward a free and stable Iraq, US officials stated.
US analysts have concluded the letter was written by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi – a suspect in numerous terrorist bombings in Iraq and long believed to have al Qaeda ties – and was intended for the terror organization's top leadership, perhaps even for Osama bin Laden himself.
(gmcg)
Mr Straw said that the perpetrators had "callously targeted" those Iraqis who wanted to "serve their countrymen and work to build a safer future for all".
At least 46 Iraqis were killed in yesterday's Baghdad car bomb – bringing the death toll during that 24 hour-period to 100.
Like Tuesday's explosion in Iskandiriyah, Iraqi civilians were the targets as they queued up to seek work in the country's fledgling security services.
US officials believe that a suicide bomber drove a car, loaded with between 135-225kg of explosives, close to the building before detonating the device. One eyewitness described the scene as "apocalyptic", with many body parts strewn among the carnage.
"My sympathies are with the friends and families of those who lost their lives. I say to them that we will not let the terrorists succeed in deterring us from working together to build a stable and democratic Iraq with proper rule of law," Mr Straw said.
"This will be the Iraqi people's best defence against terrorism," the Foreign Secretary said.
The second bomb attack tragically confirmed that the rebels had changed tactics to target Iraqi civilians wishing to serve in the security forces – viewed as collaborators by rebels. More than 150,000 Iraqis are currently employed in the country's security services.
The attacks coincide with the visit of a UN team, sent to the area to consider the feasibility of holding early elections in Iraq. The deadline is also closing in for the official handover of power from US-led administrators to an Iraqi governing council - which is scheduled for June 30.
On Tuesday, the US published a 17-page letter, said to have been seized in the capture of an al Qaeda courier last month.
The letter seeks al Qaeda's help in instigating ethnic violence to derail progress toward a free and stable Iraq, US officials stated.
US analysts have concluded the letter was written by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi – a suspect in numerous terrorist bombings in Iraq and long believed to have al Qaeda ties – and was intended for the terror organization's top leadership, perhaps even for Osama bin Laden himself.
(gmcg)
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17 January 2005
Iraq elections must be fully inclusive, says UN envoy
On a day that saw at least 15 Iraqis die in insurgent attacks, the United Nations envoy to the country has said that the impending Iraqi elections, scheduled to take place at the end of this month, must be as inclusive as possible.
Iraq elections must be fully inclusive, says UN envoy
On a day that saw at least 15 Iraqis die in insurgent attacks, the United Nations envoy to the country has said that the impending Iraqi elections, scheduled to take place at the end of this month, must be as inclusive as possible.
28 June 2004
Bremer jets home after US transfers power early in Iraq
It was a subdued affair, but the US has handed over power in Iraq two days before the transfer was scheduled to take place. At a press conference in Washington this morning, a spokesperson for the Bush administration said that Iraqis had moved at "warp-speed" in taking control of government.
Bremer jets home after US transfers power early in Iraq
It was a subdued affair, but the US has handed over power in Iraq two days before the transfer was scheduled to take place. At a press conference in Washington this morning, a spokesperson for the Bush administration said that Iraqis had moved at "warp-speed" in taking control of government.
13 November 2003
Italians will stay on in Iraq despite bombing
Silvio Berlusconi has today restated his country's commitment to Iraq following Tuesday's blast in which 18 Italians and nine Iraqis were killed. The blast on Tuesday occurred after a suicide bomber drove a petrol tanker at the Italian headquarters in the town of Nasiriyah.
Italians will stay on in Iraq despite bombing
Silvio Berlusconi has today restated his country's commitment to Iraq following Tuesday's blast in which 18 Italians and nine Iraqis were killed. The blast on Tuesday occurred after a suicide bomber drove a petrol tanker at the Italian headquarters in the town of Nasiriyah.
21 December 2010
Iraqis Lose High Court Abuse Bids
Iraqi civilians, who claimed they were abused by British forces in Iraq, have lost their High Court bid for a public inquiry. Two judges stood by Defence Secretary Liam Fox's refusal to order a wide-ranging investigation. Mr Fox argued it was not systemic and any abuse carried out involved "a few bad apples".
Iraqis Lose High Court Abuse Bids
Iraqi civilians, who claimed they were abused by British forces in Iraq, have lost their High Court bid for a public inquiry. Two judges stood by Defence Secretary Liam Fox's refusal to order a wide-ranging investigation. Mr Fox argued it was not systemic and any abuse carried out involved "a few bad apples".
04 December 2006
Annan says Iraq situation worse
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has told the BBC that he believes Iraq is in the grip of a civil war and said that Iraqis are worse off now than under the regime of Saddam Hussein. In an interview for BBC World Service radio and BBC World television to be broadcast today (Monday) he spoke about the delicate situation in Iraq.
Annan says Iraq situation worse
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has told the BBC that he believes Iraq is in the grip of a civil war and said that Iraqis are worse off now than under the regime of Saddam Hussein. In an interview for BBC World Service radio and BBC World television to be broadcast today (Monday) he spoke about the delicate situation in Iraq.
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