U.S. military confirms release of Iraqi women

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/iraq26.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq-- The U.S. military said Thursday it would release five Iraqi women detainees, a move demanded by the kidnappers of an American reporter to spare her life, but an official said the release was coincidental.

Meanwhile, a U.S. soldier was killed and another wounded by a roadside bomb blast south of Baghdad on Wednesday, while two Iraqi government employees were gunned down Thursday in separate drive-by attacks in the northern city of Kirkuk.

Trade and Minerals Minister Osama Abdul-Aziz al-Najafi escaped a seventh assassination attempt Thursday after a roadside bomb targeted his convoy north of Baghdad, but three bodyguards were killed and a fourth was seriously wounded, ministry spokeswoman Hanan Jassim said.

The Shiite bloc set to dominate the next parliament, the United Iraqi Alliance, will decide on its nominee for prime minister in the next few days, said a top Shiite official, Vice President Adil Abdul-Mahdi.

[FloridaPat]

1. Nice of them to let them go, especially since they weren't charged

with anything. I don't ever remember anyone in the USA putting so many people in jail without charges than our beloved leader. And this doesn't seem to upset too many people.

[Flavin]

2. release response

Sarcasm gland on full.

Hmmmmm, Our guys JUST decided to release this herd of prisoners who JUST happen to include approx 1/2 of the women prisoners being held.

Seeing that the kidnappers requested the release of all of the women being held in exchange for the reporter, how about they release approx. 1/2 of the kidnapped reporter.

Chris