Iraq Notebook
Toll high for 'citizen soldiers'

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For the Army, the proportion of deaths among hostile-fire casualties since Feb. 1 was even higher: one-third of troops killed were "citizen soldiers," those who traditionally train one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer.

Part-time troops now make up 43 percent of the occupation force in Iraq, up from roughly a quarter of the troops who were part of the invasion, when they accounted for about 4 percent of the combat deaths.

"Having more people on the ground creates more targets," said Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow and defense analyst for the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., a think tank that considers public policy. "The reserve components are the ones with the boots on the ground now."

Manila announcement may save hostage's life

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines said yesterday it would withdraw its 51-person peacekeeping contingent from Iraq on Aug. 20, as planned, but it was unclear if the announcement had saved the life of a Filipino hostage being held in Iraq.

Government officials said truck driver Angelo dela Cruz had been released, but the Arab television station Al-Jazeera said it had received a message from the militants denying that.

The Philippine government made no connection between the announcement about its troops and dela Cruz's reported release. But if the release were confirmed, it would appear the statement by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration had satisfied his captors.

The Islamic Army of Iraq-Khalid bin al-Waleed Brigade said in a statement carried by Qatar-based Al-Jazeera that it would give the Philippine government 24 hours to ensure its sincerity but did not elaborate. Previously, it said the troops must be withdrawn by July 20.

Bombing shuts down pipeline to power plant

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Saboteurs detonated an improvised bomb next to a pipeline north of Baghdad early yesterday in an area that has seen more than a dozen major pipeline attacks over the past year. The attack shut down the pipeline, which feeds the enormous Bayji power plant, and set it on fire.

The attack came five days after another pipeline in the region was blown up, cutting off oil that fed several northern power plants. Over the past year there have been more than 70 attacks on Iraqi pipelines, oil plants and industry officials.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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