(Sec Def) Gates sees more stable Iraq but bombs kill 22

[sabra]

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Car bombs killed at least 22 people in Baghdad and three other cities on Wednesday but U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates on an unannounced visit said a secure, stable Iraq was within reach.

A car bomb near a Shi'ite mosque in central Baghdad killed at least 14 people and wounded 24 as they gathered for evening prayers, making it the city's deadliest strike since September.

Gunfire could be heard and a column of black smoke rose over the area after the blast in the middle class mainly-Shi'ite Karrada district, just across the Tigris River from the heavily fortified "Green Zone" compound where Gates met Iraqi officials.

Just a few months ago, attacks on that scale were common, often taking place several times in a week.

"More than ever, I believe that the goal of a secure, stable and democratic Iraq is within reach," Gates told a news conference less than an hour after the blast.

"We need to be patient. We also need to be absolutely resolved in our desire to see the nascent signs of hope across Iraq expand and flourish so that all Iraqis can enjoy peace and prosperity."


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071205/ts_nm/iraq_dc_7

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Todays reported security incidents:

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L05138348.htm

FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Dec 5
05 Dec 2007 17:03:02 GMT
Source: Reuters

Dec 5 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq at 1700 GMT on Wednesday.

* denotes new or updated items.

* BAGHDAD - A car bomb near a Shi'ite mosque in central Baghdad's Karrada district killed 15 people and wounded 33, police said.

* BAGHDAD - Four bodies were found in different areas of Baghdad, police said.

* SULAIMANIYA - Bombs destroyed a shop selling alcohol in the town of Sayyid Sadiq near the Iranian border southeast of Sulaimaniya, 330 km (205 miles) northeast of Baghdad, on Tuesday, police said.

KIRKUK - A parked car bomb killed two people in southern Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, police and hospital sources said. The bomb targeted the convoy of a police commander, Brigadier-General Kakamen Hameed, who was among 10 people wounded. One of his bodyguards was among the two killed.

MOSUL - A parked car bomb killed one civilian and wounded seven others, including a policeman, in central Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

BAGHDAD - Two policemen were wounded by a roadside bomb targeting their patrol in Baghdad's western Yarmouk district, police said.

DHULUIYA - One body was found with gunshot wounds in the town of Dhuluiya, 70 km (45 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

BAQUBA - A parked car bomb killed five people and wounded 13 on a road near a number of government offices in the city of Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

SALAHUDDIN PROVINCE - Two U.S. soldiers were killed and two others wounded when gunmen opened fire after a roadside bomb exploded in Salahuddin province on Tuesday, the U.S. military said.

ANBAR PROVINCE - One U.S. soldier was killed and two injured by an explosion in Anbar province in western Iraq on Monday, the U.S. military said.

KUT - Gunmen killed a sheikh in a drive by-shooting in western Kut, 170 km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad, police said.

[951-Riverside]

1. Gates Says Secure Iraq Within Reach

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday he believes a secure and stable Iraq is within reach, although there's been an uptick in violence in the north where al-Qaida is trying to re-establish a foothold.

Gates' comments came as a car bomb exploded in a largely Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad, killing at least 14 people, police said. The explosion happened across the Tigris River from the Green Zone shortly before Gates' news conference with Iraq's defense minister.

Acknowledging the precarious nature of any security gains in the country, Gates said that much work remains to be done to ensure Iraqi forces are ready to take over more military duties from U.S. troops. Iraqis who have been fighting insurgents on the local level must be integrated into Iraqi security forces, for example, he said.

"I believe that a secure, stable Iraq is within reach," Gates said. However, he added, "We need to be patient."

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/G/GATES_IRAQ?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-12-05-13-41-03

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Anticipation, anticip-a-a-ation ...Is makin' me late ...Is keepin' me wa-a-a-a-aitin' :)

[dbackjon]

2. Around

[earthboundmisfit]

3. Yup. Just another 6 months, right?

And another 6 months and another 6 months and another 6 months another 6 months .... ad infinitum

[bobthedrummer]

4. "25 Dead in Iraq Bombings As Gates Visits" by Hamid Ahmed (AP via Guardian)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7129276,00.html