US army describes Iraq abductions
by Mike Wooldridge BBC News, Baghdad

The militants got by an Iraqi police checkpoint before the attackThe US military in Iraq has given new details of an attack last week in which five US soldiers were killed.

Four of them were abducted by militants posing as an American security team.

They travelled in the kind of vehicles often used for US government convoys, Wore US-style uniforms and carried US-style weapons.

Initially the military said all five soldiers were killed repelling an attack on an Iraqi government compound in the Shia holy city of Karbala.

According to the new account, US military officers were attending a meeting in the compound when the convoy of at least five sport utility vehicles impersonating Americans entered and killed one US soldier.

There was a series of explosions and in the melee, the attackers then set off again with four captured US soldiers.

'Brazen attack'
They drove into a neighbouring province and then abandoned the SUVs.

The attack on the US troops is believed to be unprecedentedIraqi police, by now in pursuit, found the vehicles.

Two US soldiers were found handcuffed together in one of the SUVs, shot dead.
A third American soldier lay dead on the ground.

The fourth was still alive despite a gunshot wound to the head but died shortly afterwards.
Such a brazen attack is believed to be unprecedented, and the US military say the militants bypassed Iraqi police to reach their goal.

The Americans say they are not only trying to determine who carried out the attack but also the reason for the breakdown in security at the government compound.

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This is an awfully interesting tactic. Instead of asking us to leave, they decide to help us draw our own rational conclusions. Those troops did not deserve to die such a death.

The Iraqi people have made themselves crystal clear. A genie is not necessary to understand the depth of emotion used in wanting the removal of Americans from their land.

We, the people of America, have also clarified our thoughts on this particular war.

Our trusted leader has made his position of the Iraqi war translucent to the nth degree, though he seems to be costing the American people more than he is serving them.

What can possibly be done to heal both countries intact without losing any political standing?

Nothing can be done to repair the lives of the troops involved nor their families.

It is a shame that guidance is given freely by Congress, the American people and the Iraqi people, the international community who was against from the start.

After 3 years, Mr. Bush still has not gained any additional insight other than what he had upon the initial theft of the presidency.