Iraqi defense official slain

Washington Times ^ | Tuesday, July 20, 2004 | By Betsy Pisik

[JohnHuang2]

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

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Iraqi defense official slain

By Betsy Pisik
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published July 20, 2004

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BAGHDAD -- Gunmen yesterday killed a senior Iraqi defense official and a suicide bomber blew up a Baghdad police station, killing 10 and wounding at least 60, as insurgents continued a deadly campaign targeting Iraq's new government.
    The fresh reports of violence came just hours before a convoy of Philippine soldiers crossed the border into Kuwait, completing a much-criticized withdrawal in order to win the release of a kidnapped Philippine truck driver.
    The Bush administration, the new Iraqi government and several governments in the international security force have criticized Manila for evacuating troops a month earlier than planned, saying it will fuel terrorism and hostage-taking.
    The assassinations and suicide attacks on Iraqi authorities have become a familiar pattern in recent weeks.
    Issam Jassem Qassim, director-general of the Iraqi Defense Ministry, was shot by three gunmen outside his southern Baghdad home, government officials said.