Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has vowed to crush militants responsible for coordinated attacks in five cities just days before the formal handover of power from the Coalition Provisional Authority to his government. The attacks Thursday in Baghdad, Fallujah, Baquba, Ramadi and Mosul left about 100 people dead, including three U.S. soldiers. The heaviest toll was in Mosul, where multiple car bombings killed at least 62 people.
Iranian officials say a fiery road accident near the southeastern city of Zahedan has killed at least 90 people and injured more than 100 others. The mishap occurred late Thursday, when a gasoline tanker truck collided with crowded passenger buses that were stopped at a police checkpoint on the main road between Bam and Zahedan. The tanker, which was said to carrying more than one thousand litters of gasoline, burst into flames and set six buses on fire.
The United States has praised Cambodia and Laos for their assistance in accounting for American servicemen missing in action from the Vietnam War. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs Jerry Jennings held two days of talks with Cambodian and Lao officials last week. He says the talks were very positive.
Mr. Jennings says Laotian officials agreed to search archival documents for any information relating to Americans missing from the war. He says the officials also agreed to share the information with U.S. technical experts. Four-nation talks on the POW/MIA issue will be held in Cambodia next month. In addition to the United States, Cambodia and Laos, Thailand also will participate.
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