Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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April 23, 2007

Bombings Kill 26 in Iraq, US Separation Wall Rejected
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=172DA4D:A6F02AD83191E1601AE41E239F15F64B9574F7DCC14957C0 US military
officials say the concrete wall is necessary because Shi'ites in the
neighborhood are attacking Sunnis, who then retaliate





Flames rise from a car following an attack in a parking lot nearby the
Green Zone (background) in central Baghdad, 23 Apr 2007

Iraqi authorities say bombings across the country have killed at least
26 people and wounded more than 50 others Monday.

The attacks included a suicide bombing that killed 10 people outside
the offices of the Kurdistan Democratic Party near the northern city
of Mosul.

A suicide car bomber also struck a police station in Baqouba, 60
kilometers northeast of Baghdad, killing 10 people.

Another suicide bomber killed at least six people at a Baghdad
restaurant just outside the heavily fortified Green Zone.

U.S. ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker says the American military will
respect the wishes of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who wants
to halt the construction by U.S. forces of a wall around a Baghdad
neighborhood.

Mr. Maliki told reporters Sunday in Cairo that there are other ways to
protect the Azamiyah neighborhood.  He said that sectarian violence in
Iraq is largely under control.

Construction on the barrier began earlier this month.  U.S. military
officials say the concrete wall is necessary because Shi'ites in the
neighborhood are attacking Sunnis, who then retaliate.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.


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