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Iraq: Rumsfeld Meets U.S. Military Commanders In Kirkuk


Kirkuk, Iraq; 6 December 2003 (RFE/RL) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived in the northern city of Kirkuk today to get a firsthand look at the security and political situation in Iraq. Major General Raymond Odierno, briefing Rumsfeld on the security situation, said attacks by Iraqi insurgents against U.S. forces in the region have declined.

Odierno said U.S.-led troops are now finding up to 70 percent of roadside bombs before they are detonated and that only about 5 percent of those attacks are succeeding.

He said recent aggressive U.S. operations aimed at crushing the insurgency have led more Iraqis to come forward with intelligence tips.

Rumsfeld later flew to Baghdad for further meetings, including with U.S. civil administrator L. Paul Bremer.
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