IRAQ
Car bombs kill 17; official slain
A car bomb exploded June 14 near a U.S. garrison in Baghdad, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens. Among those killed were five foreigners working to rebuild Iraq's power plants.
Angry Iraqis shouted "down with the U.S.A." and set fire to a U.S. flag.
The U.S. military identified the slain foreigners as an American, two Britons, a Frenchman and one of unknown nationality.
Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said,"We deplore this terrorist act and vow to bring these criminals to justice as soon as possible."
A second car bombing occurred the same day near the town of Salman Pak, southeast of Baghdad, killing four people, injuring four others.
Gunmen assassinated a member of the new Iraqi government, an Education Ministry official June 13.
Two other top Iraqi officials narrowly escaped death over the weekend in what appears to be a campaign to target key figures in the new Iraqi administration as it prepares to take power June 30.
The Japan Times Weekly: June 19, 2004 (C) All rights reserved
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