Basra bomb attacks claim 70 as US says coalition is not crumbling

By: Hamoud Kufi

BASRA, Iraq: A string of car bombs ripped through Iraqi police stations and an academy during rush hour in and near Iraq's southern port city of Basra Wednesday morning, leaving nearly 70 people including schoolchildren dead and wounding scores.

It was the bloodiest attack in this southern city since the US-led occupation began a year ago.

Iraqis pulled charred and torn bodies from mangled vehicles. Two vans carrying schoolchildren were destroyed, one carrying kindergarteners, the other carrying middle-school girls. Dead children, burned beyond recognition, were taken to hospital morgues.

According to Basra Gov. Wael Abdul-Latif 200 people were injured in the attacks.

Meanwhile, the White House insisted on Wednesday the US-led coalition in Iraq was strong despite comments from staunch ally Poland that it may join three other nations – Spain, Honduras and the Dominican Republic - in withdrawing troops.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush's staunchest ally in the US-led invasion and occupation, insists British troops will remain but said on Wednesday he does not plan to increase the number from the 7,500 now there. Australia also said it would not send more troops to help fill the void left by the withdrawals. Only about 350 of Australia's 2,000 troops are left in Iraq.

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US cutting Najaf forces, holds off entry

SYDNEY, Australia: American forces massed outside the holy city of Najaf say they will allow time for talks before any attempt to enter the holy city, and meanwhile Sky News reported Monday US military personnel are reducing their presence around Najaf.

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Europe: Clerics, thinkers urge Iraqis to adhere to Marja’iya on Najaf

LONDON, United Kingdom: Muslim clerics and a number of intellectuals from Islamic organizations and centers in the United Kingdom and Europe condemned the tragic events on the Iraqi arena, which have extended to the sanctity of the holy shrines in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.

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