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In Iraq, Tensions Rise as Vote Nears

More than 90 people died in Iraq last week in a series of terrorist attacks, including car bombings. On January 4, the governor of Baghdad province, Ali al-Haidari, was assassinated. On Thursday, seven U.S. soldiers and two Marines were killed. The week of violence left many Iraqis wondering if their country's elections, scheduled for January 30, could safely take place as planned.

Lieutenant General Thomas Metz, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, warned that if the elections were held on schedule, voting might not go smoothly. "I can't guarantee that every person in Iraq that wants to vote can do that safely," Metz admitted. Still, he and other U.S. officials insist that delaying the elections would not stop the violence.

Rebels in Iraq believe that the U.S. should have no role in helping with the country's elections. They have used violence to discourage Iraqis from working with Americans. More than 1,300 Iraqi policemen were killed in the final four months of 2004. U.S. forces are continuing to train Iraqi soldiers and policemen in an effort to safeguard the country.

Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said that delaying the vote would only lead to a continuing string of attacks. "We will not allow the terrorists to stop the political process in Iraq," he said.

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