Iraq: Nine Soldier Deaths Reportedhttp://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Iraq.htmlBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 10, 2007
Filed at 8:16 p.m. ETBAGHDAD (AP) --
The U.S. military reported the deaths of nine soldiers Monday -- including seven killed in a vehicle accident -- and Iraq's prime minister said the nation's armed forces were not ready to fight without American help.
The statements -- more Pentagon death notices and appeals for more time from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki -- echoed some of the key struggles in Washington as lawmakers began long-awaited hearings on U.S. strategies in Iraq.
Among the core issues is whether Iraq's leadership is moving fast enough at political reconciliation and assuming security responsibilities while U.S. troop deaths have risen to at least 3,771 in the 4 1/2-year war.
Al-Maliki told Iraq's parliament that the American military is still needed despite what he described as a sharp drop in violence in the Baghdad area since President Bush ordered nearly 30,000 extra troops to Iraq this year.
''We still need more efforts and time in order for our armed forces to be able to take over security in all Iraqi provinces from the multinational forces that helped us a great deal in fighting terrorism and outlaws,'' al-Maliki said just hours before U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and top commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, began their statements on Capitol Hill.
Petraeus said he envisions gradually scaling back the U.S. troop strength in Iraq to about 130,00 by next summer -- roughly the number before the U.S. surge earlier this year.
In western Baghdad, seven U.S. soldiers were killed in a vehicle accident that also claimed the lives of two detainees, the military said. Eleven soldiers from Multinational Division-Baghdad and one detainee were also injured in the west Baghdad accident, the military said without giving further details. The U.S. statement made no mention of hostile fire and did not specify the neighborhood.
A U.S. spokesman, Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, said all the victims were traveling in the same vehicle.
Another U.S. soldier was killed and two were injured when their vehicle overturned east of the capital, the military said in a statement. The military also said a soldier died Sunday of wounds suffered in fighting near Kirkuk in northern Iraq.More..........
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