Today in Iraq

War News for January 26, 2004 Bring ‘em on: US troops responding to helicopter crash ambushed in Mosul. Bring ‘em on: Iraqi policeman killed in drive-by shooting in Mosul. Bring ‘em on: Truck carrying JSDF material attacked in Ramadi. Jordanian driver killed. Bring 'em on: US troops under rocket attack in Kirkuk. Bring 'em on: One Iraqi killed, three wounded by roadside bomb in Baghdad. Patrol boat founders, US helicopter crashes in Mosul. Three US soldiers missing, two Iraqi police and Iraqi interpreter killed. Iraqi Sunni group wants elections only after US leaves Iraq. “Sabah al-Qaisi, one of the founders of the Sunni council, told the Guardian that his members would not accept any elections organised by the US-led authority. The council, formed last month, is one of the first political groups to have emerged to represent the Sunni community since the Ba'ath party was outlawed last year. It comprises around 160 Sunni clerics, from moderates to extreme Islamists, although it cannot claim to speak for the entire community.” Analysis: “However, it is ominous that the foundations now being laid for the future appear to contain the seeds of a civil war. Iraq is made up of three main communities, and when one group feels marginalized it starts creating problems for the whole state. This was the case in the past with the Kurds and the Shi'a, and it is the case today with the Sunnis. What the current political process lacks, and it is a lack that the proposed elections will not remedy, is an initiative to bring to-gether the representatives of the main groups to reach a new social contract to replace the old one before the elections are held. To simply call for elections and draw up a political process to hand over authority to a major religious group without a clearly defined relationship between the communities would lead to disaster. What is needed today is a political process through which the three main communities can learn to compromise with each other, accommodate differences and achieve national reconciliation - before elections are held, not after-wards.” Iraqi Resistance Report, January 18 – 24, 2004. US officials suspect mole at CPA headquarters. “A defense official told The Washington Times the suspicion at this point is not based on conclusive evidence, but on supposition.” CPA may open contracts to foreign firms to build power stations. Northern pipeline remains closed due to security and repairs. Analysis: Attacks on oil pipelines and infrastructure. Commentary Editorial: Iraq’s Undemocratic Transition. “Iraqis are impatient to regain their sovereignty. But no one would benefit from a botched transition that embittered much of the Iraqi population. If delaying the turnover a few weeks would allow a more democratic transition, the U.N. should consider stretching out the timetable.” Casualty Reports Local story: Indiana soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: North Dakota soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Missouri soldier killed in Iraq. Local story: Canadian contractor killed in Iraq.