AP: 14 die in Baghdad blast as Gates visits

[rodeodance]

14 die in Baghdad blast as Gates visits


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071205/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=Alix9cPEhs0qMsuoma4EmBGs0NUE

By HAMID AHMED, Associated Press Writer 4 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - A car bomb exploded in a largely Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad on Wednesday and killed at least 14 people, police said, while Defense Secretary Robert Gates said during a visit to the capital that security and stability were within reach, although more work is needed.


Gunfire and sirens followed the blast in the Karradah neighborhood, and a plume of smoke rose in the sky.

Police and hospital officials said at least 14 people were killed and 28 wounded in the explosion, which took place across the Tigris River from the Green Zone shortly before Gates' news conference with Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi.

"I believe that a secure, stable Iraq is within reach," Gates said, adding however: "We need to be patient."

[NNN0LHI]

1. Same thing happened in Afghanistan yesterday

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a_i7jG67rh8k&refer=home

Afghan Bomber Kills 13 People as Gates Visits Nation

Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- A suicide car bomber targeted an Afghan army bus in the capital, Kabul, killing 13 people, the second such attack in two days as U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited the South Asian country.

Today's attack killed six Afghan soldiers and seven civilians, Defense Ministry spokesman General Mohammad Zahir Azimi said by telephone from Kabul. Seven soldiers were also injured in the blast.

Twenty-two civilians were wounded yesterday when a suicide attacker targeted a NATO convoy in Kabul, the alliance said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for both attacks, Agence France- Presse reported, citing rebel spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed.

Suicide bombings have risen sevenfold over the past two years as Taliban insurgents step up attacks against President Hamid Karzai's government and Afghan and international troops, according to the United Nations. Gates, who met yesterday in Kabul with Karzai, said the Afghan army needs more help to fight Taliban extremists.

The defense secretary flew out of the country at 7:30 a.m. Kabul time today, about 30 minutes after the attack, a Western official who didn't want to be identified said by telephone from the city.