BAGHDAD — Thirty days before the deadline to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Iraq’s urban areas, it is still unknown how many troops will remain in cities as commanders determine their new roles, Army Brig. Gen. Keith Walker, commander of the Iraqi Assistance Group, said Sunday.
The U.S. military has repeatedly said it will abide by the requirements of an U.S.-Iraqi security agreement, but has released little publicly about how it will meet the June 30 deadline or what the new distribution of its forces in Iraq will look like.
Under the security pact, American troops who train and advise Iraq’s security forces will stay in the cities. Walker said commanders were working to determine the number of additional forces, including some combat troops, that would be added to training teams working in Iraq’s urban areas.
The security agreement also calls for all U.S. troops to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011.
With the clock ticking, it remains unclear how and when American troops will leave cities where insurgents continue to battle U.S. and Iraqi forces.
But Walker added that "all combat troops will be out of the cities unless there is a specific invitation from the government of Iraq.”
The Iraqi government has said the deadline was not extendable.
by the associated press
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Monday, June 1, 2009
Iranian president threatens
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threatened Sunday to release internal documents on government affairs going back to the early 1980s in a direct counterattack against challengers who claim his policies have sent Iran into an economic tailspin and undermined the nation’s standing in the world.
He gave only a blanket warning that he would open the books on "political, cultural, social and diplomatic” issues. It appeared part of his effort to thwart the accusations economic mismanagement hurled at him.
The threat boosts the level of bitterness and recriminations between Ahmadinejad and his three rivals in the June 12 election, who have hammered the president on Iran’s economic woes.
by the associated press
He gave only a blanket warning that he would open the books on "political, cultural, social and diplomatic” issues. It appeared part of his effort to thwart the accusations economic mismanagement hurled at him.
The threat boosts the level of bitterness and recriminations between Ahmadinejad and his three rivals in the June 12 election, who have hammered the president on Iran’s economic woes.
by the associated press
U.S. wants closer ties with China
BEIJING — After years of acrimonious economic relations with China, the U.S. insists it wants to turn the page and develop closer ties with the world’s third largest economy.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Sunday that he wanted to foster the same kind of working relationship with China that the U.S. has enjoyed for decades with European economic powers.
"We would like to build with China the kind of relationship we built with the G-7 over the last several decades,” Geithner told reporters traveling with him to Beijing. The Group of Seven includes the traditional economic powers — the U.S., Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Canada.
China is America’s biggest creditor.
by the associated press
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Sunday that he wanted to foster the same kind of working relationship with China that the U.S. has enjoyed for decades with European economic powers.
"We would like to build with China the kind of relationship we built with the G-7 over the last several decades,” Geithner told reporters traveling with him to Beijing. The Group of Seven includes the traditional economic powers — the U.S., Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Canada.
China is America’s biggest creditor.
by the associated press
Mild criticism from GOP
WASHINGTON — Leading GOP senators on Sunday passed up the chance to stifle racially charged criticism of Sonia Sotomayor by fellow Republicans as the party worked on a strategy to oppose the Supreme Court nomination.
Sotomayor said in 2001 that her experiences as a Hispanic would lead her to better decisions than a white man.
"I think that she is a person who believes that her background can influence her decision. That’s what troubles me,” said Sen. Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee. Although he would prefer that they not call Sotomayor a racist, he said, "people have a free right to speak and say what they want and make the analogies that they want.”
by the associated press
Sotomayor said in 2001 that her experiences as a Hispanic would lead her to better decisions than a white man.
"I think that she is a person who believes that her background can influence her decision. That’s what troubles me,” said Sen. Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee. Although he would prefer that they not call Sotomayor a racist, he said, "people have a free right to speak and say what they want and make the analogies that they want.”
by the associated press
Kansans mourn doctor’s ‘heart-breaking’ death
WICHITA, Kan. — Services were just starting Sunday morning at Reformation Lutheran Church when members heard a pop. Someone thought it sounded like a balloon bursting.
A gunman’s single shot had mortally wounded Dr. George Tiller, an usher at the church and one of a few U.S. physicians performing late-term abortions.
"We just thought a child had come in with a balloon and it had popped, had gone up and hit the ceiling and popped,” said Adam Watkins, a 20-year-old Wichita resident who had shaken hands with the doctor and his wife about 10 minutes before.
Tiller, 67, had been the target of violence before: A protester had shot him in both arms as he left his clinic in 1993, and his clinic was bombed in 1985. But, in the end, the place where Tiller faced the biggest threat turned out to be where he prayed.
"This is particularly heart-wrenching because George was shot down in his house of worship, a place of peace,” said a statement released on behalf of Tiller’s family.
The gunman fled, but a 51-year-old suspect was detained some 170 miles away in suburban Kansas City three hours later, Wichita Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said.
Although Stolz refused to release the man’s name, Johnson County sheriff’s spokesman Tom Erickson identified the detained man as Scott Roeder. He has not been charged in the slaying and was expected to be taken to Wichita for questioning.
Tiller’s Women’s Health Care Services clinic is one of just three in the nation where abortions are performed after the 21st week of pregnancy. The clinic was heavily fortified and Tiller often traveled with a bodyguard.
Tiller’s family said its loss "is also a loss for the city of Wichita and women across America. George dedicated his life to providing women with high-quality health care despite frequent threats.”
by the associated press
A gunman’s single shot had mortally wounded Dr. George Tiller, an usher at the church and one of a few U.S. physicians performing late-term abortions.
"We just thought a child had come in with a balloon and it had popped, had gone up and hit the ceiling and popped,” said Adam Watkins, a 20-year-old Wichita resident who had shaken hands with the doctor and his wife about 10 minutes before.
Tiller, 67, had been the target of violence before: A protester had shot him in both arms as he left his clinic in 1993, and his clinic was bombed in 1985. But, in the end, the place where Tiller faced the biggest threat turned out to be where he prayed.
"This is particularly heart-wrenching because George was shot down in his house of worship, a place of peace,” said a statement released on behalf of Tiller’s family.
The gunman fled, but a 51-year-old suspect was detained some 170 miles away in suburban Kansas City three hours later, Wichita Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said.
Although Stolz refused to release the man’s name, Johnson County sheriff’s spokesman Tom Erickson identified the detained man as Scott Roeder. He has not been charged in the slaying and was expected to be taken to Wichita for questioning.
Tiller’s Women’s Health Care Services clinic is one of just three in the nation where abortions are performed after the 21st week of pregnancy. The clinic was heavily fortified and Tiller often traveled with a bodyguard.
Tiller’s family said its loss "is also a loss for the city of Wichita and women across America. George dedicated his life to providing women with high-quality health care despite frequent threats.”
by the associated press
We the People , shall own 60 percent of GM
WASHINGTON — General Motors, the humbled auto giant that has been part of American life for more than 100 years, will file for bankruptcy protection today in a deal that will give taxpayers a 60 percent ownership stake and expand the government’s reach into big business.
Underscoring the government’s extraordinary role, President Barack Obama planned to announce his support for GM’s restructuring strategy at a midday appearance.
GM president and CEO Fritz Henderson planned to hold a press conference following Obama’s announcement.
Administration officials said late Sunday the federal government would pump $30 billion dollars into GM as it makes its way through bankruptcy court. That’s besides the $20 billion in taxpayers’ money that the Treasury already lent to the automaker.
The money would come from what remains of the $700 billion rescue fund for the financial sector.
The officials said the administration expects the court process to last 60 to 90 days. If successful, GM will emerge as a leaner company with fewer plants and a trimmed dealership force.
On Sunday a group of large, institutional bondholders, representing 54 percent of GM bondholders, agreed to exchange their unsecured bonds for a 10 percent stake in a newly restructured company, plus warrants to purchase a greater share later.
by the associated press
Underscoring the government’s extraordinary role, President Barack Obama planned to announce his support for GM’s restructuring strategy at a midday appearance.
GM president and CEO Fritz Henderson planned to hold a press conference following Obama’s announcement.
Administration officials said late Sunday the federal government would pump $30 billion dollars into GM as it makes its way through bankruptcy court. That’s besides the $20 billion in taxpayers’ money that the Treasury already lent to the automaker.
The money would come from what remains of the $700 billion rescue fund for the financial sector.
The officials said the administration expects the court process to last 60 to 90 days. If successful, GM will emerge as a leaner company with fewer plants and a trimmed dealership force.
On Sunday a group of large, institutional bondholders, representing 54 percent of GM bondholders, agreed to exchange their unsecured bonds for a 10 percent stake in a newly restructured company, plus warrants to purchase a greater share later.
by the associated press
America's.efforts on Cuba will face test
WASHINGTON — A diplomatic tug-of-war over Cuba’s outcast status in the Organization of American States takes center stage at the group’s meeting this week in Honduras, testing U.S. efforts to engage the nation.
Numerous Latin American countries are pushing to reverse the 1962 expulsion of Cuba from the group, although the Cuban government insists it has no interest in returning.
An OAS official said a decision on clearing the way for Cuba to rejoin the group could be postponed unless there is a consensus. In that case, Tuesday’s meeting could produce a statement supporting efforts to find a solution. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to attend.
U.S. officials say they are ready to support lifting the resolution that suspended Cuba, but want to tie readmission to democratic reforms in Cuba.
by the associated press
Numerous Latin American countries are pushing to reverse the 1962 expulsion of Cuba from the group, although the Cuban government insists it has no interest in returning.
An OAS official said a decision on clearing the way for Cuba to rejoin the group could be postponed unless there is a consensus. In that case, Tuesday’s meeting could produce a statement supporting efforts to find a solution. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to attend.
U.S. officials say they are ready to support lifting the resolution that suspended Cuba, but want to tie readmission to democratic reforms in Cuba.
by the associated press
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