Violence blamed on political limbo
BAGHDAD | The top U.S. commander for Baghdad warned Wednesday that Iraq’s prolonged political crisis has encouraged militants to step up attacks and left civilians so frustrated they could be holding back crucial tips on suspected insurgent cells.
The assessment by Army Brig. Gen. Rob Baker is the most direct link by U.S. military brass between Iraq’s nearly seven-month impasse on forming a government and a recent spike in violence that has included rocket strikes blamed on Shiite militias and targeted killings by suspected Sunni hit squads against security officials and government workers.
Gen. Baker’s comments also boost U.S. pressure on Iraqi political leaders to pull together after March elections, which were narrowly won by a Sunni-backed coalition but without enough parliament seats to push aside the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki — who seeks to hold on to power.
China detainee case called top priority
TOKYO | China needs to resolve the case of four Japanese citizens it is holding as the first step toward repairing ties that have been strained over a territorial dispute, Japan’s foreign minister said Wednesday.
Japanese trading company officials, meanwhile, said China appeared to have lifted a de facto ban on Japan-bound exports of rare earth metals, crucial for advanced manufacturing, but that shipments had not arrived in Japan because of tighter customs inspections at Chinese ports.
Mail workers accused of drug trafficking
SAN JUAN | Seven U.S. Postal Service workers in Puerto Rico have been indicted on charges that they trafficked thousands of parcels of heroin, cocaine and marijuana through the mail, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
The mail carriers are accused of running a smuggling ring that shipped drugs in Puerto Rico, Texas, California and Arizona beginning in 2003.
As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico is a favored transit point for drugs from South America because once they arrive here, they do not have to clear customs to reach the American market.
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By Andrew P. Napolitano
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