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Suicide Bombing at Baghdad Police Recruitment Center Kills 15
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=156DAA9:A6F02AD83191E160D9998230A2F26C5D9574F7DCC14957C0 Authorities believe
attacker was wearing explosive vest; 15 injured





An Iraqi grieves in front of Baghdad's Kindi hospital after a suicide
bomber attack at a police academy in eastern Baghdad, 21 Dec 2006

The U.S. military in Iraq says a suicide bomber has killed 15 people
and wounded 15 others in an attack on a police recruitment center in
Baghdad.

A military statement says an insurgent wearing an explosive vest blew
himself up Thursday, and that three police officers and 12 recruits
were killed in the blast.

Meanwhile, on the second day of his visit to Baghdad, the new U.S.
defense secretary, Robert Gates, expressed "steadfast" U.S. support
for the Iraqi government. Gates has been meeting with U.S. military
commanders and Iraqi officials.

He told reporters he discussed ways for the U.S.-led coalition and
Iraqi government to work together on improving the political, military
and economic situation.

Gates met earlier Thursday with a group of American soldiers. Some of
them expressed support for more U.S. ground troops to be sent to Iraq,
to improve security and allow for more time to train the Iraqi army.

Separately, the U.S. military announced that two U.S. soldiers and one
Marine were killed in attacks in Anbar province and south of Baghdad
in the past two days.

Another military statement issued Thursday said coalition forces
killed seven insurgents during an operation in the volatile Baquba
region earlier this week.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.


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