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Three bomb suspects arrested in London and Rome

Photo from L to R: #1. ALL FOUR IN CUSTODY. Police raiding apartments Friday in London and Rome rounded up the last of the four suspected attackers from the failed July 21 transit bombings in Britain.: #2. Muktar Said Ibrahim is suspected of leaving an explosive at the back of a bus in Hackney. He was arrested Friday in west-London...Read the full article

Israel and Jewish leaders said they were worried by an escalating spat between the Vatican and Israel over papal pronouncements on terrorism. VATICAN CITY- Jewish leaders said Friday they were worried by an escalating spat between the Vatican and Israel over papal pronouncements on terrorism and urged both sides to tone down the rhetoric to avoid any lasting damage to relations. Rome's chief rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, said the dispute was "only damaging for both parties" and he hoped it ended quickly, particularly before Pope Benedict visits a synagogue in Cologne....Read the full article

Suicide attacker detonates explosive belt near Syrian border killing 25. BAGHDAD , Iraq- A suicide attacker detonated an explosive belt Friday among a crowd of Iraqi army recruits in a town near the Syrian border, killing at least 25 and wounding 35, a police general said. The attack occurred in Rabiah about 370 kilometres north of Baghdad, Brig.-Gen. Saeed Ahmed said. Rabiah is located about 10 kilometres east of the Syrian border along the main highway from Mosul.

Poll: 57% support disengagement, Likud split into Sharon and Netanyahu wings would get 51 seats combined. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs) - week of 29 July 2005. Sample size not indicated. 49% Satisfied with Sharon. 62% Feel personally secure. 57% Favor disengagement [54% among Jews]. Who would you vote if elections were held today and the Likud splits?...Read the full article.

Police official expects al-Qaida to target Turkey within four months. ANKARA, Turkey- A top police official says he believes that al-Qaida will try to attack Turkey within the next four months. The deputy chief of police for Istanbul says police in the city are monitoring some 1,000 people believed to have links to al-Qaida...Read the full article.

Israel will surround Gaza with impenetrable barrier system with fences, electronic sensors, watchtowers mounted with remote-control machine-guns and hundreds of video and night-vision cameras. EREZ CROSSING, Gaza Strip- The Running about 60 kilometres around the seaside territory, the new barrier will cost about $220 million and will be completed by mid-2006, military officials said...Israel will beef up its border with the Gaza Strip after next month's withdrawal, the army said Thursday, disclosing details of a high-tech triple complex to ring the coastal strip with what they hope will be the world's most impenetrable barrier...Read the full article

Only "tens" at ending of Ami Ayalon's heavily advertised pro-disengagement campaign. Ynet reports that "tens" of people participated in the event at Zion Square in Jerusalem marking the culmination of Former Shin Bet security service chief Ami Ayalon's heavily publicized pro-disengagement public campaign ..Read the full article

Hussein questioned about uprising at hearing

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Saddam Hussein was called to a hearing where he was questioned about repression of the Shiite uprising in 1991, which erupted after U.S.-led forces drove the Iraqi army out of Kuwait, the chief investigative judge said Friday. In ongoing violence, two Marines were killed by insurgent gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades in western Iraq, prompting U.S. jets to pound insurgent positions with high-tech bombs, officials said...Read the full article.

15kg Explosive Identified Nearby to IDF Position. IDF forces north of Nablus identified a 15kg explosive charge left nearby to an IDF position.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson.

Soldiers from the border guard were dispatched to the area and detonated the explosive in a controlled manner. Earlier in the day, three Palestinians had been spotted surveying the area and after calls to them to leave were ignored, they finally moved on when warning shots were fired into the air by soldiers guarding there.

Ami Ayalon Concedes Maximum 70 cars participated in pro-disengagement public campaign. By Dr. Aaron Lerner. Former Shin Bet security service chief Ami Ayalon conceded in a live interview broadcast this morning on Israel Radio that a maximum of 70 cars...Read the full article.

Israel is set to remove all its forces from the Egyptian border as part of its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz says. Israel had originally planned to leave a small number of troops to police the "Philadelphi Road" border area, a major conduit for arms trafficking. But progress between Israel and Egypt at recent security...Read the full article.

Iran recruits suicide bombers against Israel, the Jews and the USA. An advertisement in the Iranian press has called for people to come forward for "martyrdom operations" against the enemies of Islam.: Israel, the Jews and the United States. The message focused on the necessity of eliminating Israel and fighting the Jews worldwide...Read the full article.

U.S. SHOULD ENCOURAGE IRAQIS TO REMOVE ANTI-ISRAEL CLAUSES FROM DRAFT CONSTITUTION. (Communicated by ADL's Myrna Shinbaum and Todd Gutnick ). New York- Concerned that the Iraqi national constitution contains, "blatant anti-Israel discrimination in the draft text," the Anti Defamation League (ADL) has urged the U.S. State Department to encourage the drafters to remove the objectionable languag. "We hope the United States will encourage the drafters of the constitution to remove this objectionable, blatant anti-Israel discrimination in the draft text," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "We are all hopeful that a democratic Iraq will be protected by a constitution that is free from bias and discrimination and will serve as a model for the entire region." In a July 27 letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the League noted that Article 1, Section 3 of the draft constitution states that, "Any individual with another nationality (except for Israel) may obtain Iraqi nationality" and Article 4 states that, "Any Iraqi may have more than one nationality as long as the nationality is not Israel." The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

A Senior Wanted Islamic Jihad terrorist was arrested. The Islamic Jihad terror infrastructure which he belonged to was responsible for the "Stage" terror attack last February and the terror attack in the Netanya Mall this month. The Islamic Jihad terror infrastructure which he belonged to was responsible for the "Stage" terror attack last February and the terror attack in the Netanya Mall this month The terrorist Tammer Hassin Sa'id Gaer, 24, a resident of Ilar village near Tulkarm, was arrested on Monday, in a joint IDF and ISA operation. The terrorist Tammaer Gaer is a senior wanted Islamic Jihad terrorist, who belonged to the Islamic Jihad infrastructure in Tulkarm. During the weeks before IDF's operation in Tulkarm, after the deadly terror attack in the city mall of Netanya, Gaer was staying in the PA's Special Forces building, and was involved in military activity enjoying the PLO's protection and shelter. The Islamic Jihad terror infrastructure which Gaer belonged to was responsible for a chain of suicide attacks, car bomb attacks and shooting attacks which were carried out by the organization in Israel and the area of Tulkarm in the past six months. Among the attacks, the infrastructure was responsible for the terror attack at the "Stage" club in Tel Aviv, in February 2005, and the terror attack in the city Mall of Netanya this month. Dozens of Israelis were murdered and hundreds were killed in those terror attacks. During IDF activity on Monday night, Tammer was detected when he was staying with one of his assistants, Mohammed Fathi Mohammed Badda, a member of the Palestinian Security Forces, in Mohammed relative's house in the village of Dannabah, in the area of Tulkarm.Four AK-47 assault rifles and two pistols were uncovered in searches that were conducted by IDF forces in the house in which the two were caught. The Islamic Jihad terror infrastructure is continuing to build itself and plan future terror attacks.

Omri Sharon charged with fraud. Charges have been brought against the son of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon over the funding of one of his father's election campaigns in 1999.

Photo: Omri Sharon.

Accused of creating shell companies to conceal illegal donations, Omri Sharon has reportedly admitted overspending but questioned party funding limits. The charges relate to Ariel Sharon's successful campaign to lead the Likud Party and to be its candidate for PM. The authorities earlier decided not to indict the prime minister himself. If found guilty, Omri Sharon faces up to five years in prison over charges of violating campaign finance laws, fraud, breach of trust and perjury. Ariel Sharon had always denied knowledge of the financing of his campaign, saying it was run exclusively by his son. Waiving immunity: Now a member of parliament, Omri Sharon says he will waive his immunity from prosecution and stand trial. This week, Israel's parliament, the Knesset, passed a law authorizing the prosecution of its members (MKs) without having to request parliamentary immunity to be stripped. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz had been unable to push forward with the case because MKs were immune from prosecution, the AFP news agency reports. In his first public response to the allegations against him, quoted in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, Omri Sharon admitted he had overspent in his father's primary campaign and was ready to receive his punishment. However, he added, the limitations on campaign contributions and spending according to the Political Parties Law, which was passed in 1992, were unrealistic and impossible to honor, the paper says. "Experts say reasonable spending to run a campaign like the 1999 primaries is 10 times higher than the sum fixed by the law," wrote Omri Sharon. "The law was therefore a decree the public could not fulfill." He added that since the law was so unreasonable, he was certain it had never been enforced before. "I am the first person to be put on trial for breaking this law," he said.

FM Shalom Departs for Great Britain. Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom departed last night for an official visit to Great Britain where he will meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. FM Shalom will visit the site of the tragic attacks in London and lay a wreath in commemoration of the victims on behalf of the people of Israel. During his meetings, Shalom will express his opposition to Hamas running in Legislative Council elections and being part of the Palestinian Authority. Shalom will also address the upcoming disengagement and make clear that Israel will not disengage under fire. FM Shalom's meeting with Tony Blair is scheduled to take place today at 4:00pm (London time) and his meeting with Foreign Secretary Straw is slated for tomorrow, July 26th and will be followed by a joint press conference at 2:00pm. By Dr. Aaron Lerner.

Gaza pullout nears

JERUSALEM- Less than a month before Israel begins pulling out of Gaza, almost every major issue about the territory's future remains undecided. What will happen to the settlers' houses and greenhouses? Who will control the Gaza-Egypt border crossing? How will Gazans export goods, and will they be able to reopen their airport?

Photo: Palestinian Major General Ahmed Eid, gestures next to Israeli army officers in this file photo. Less than a month before Israel begins pulling out of the Gaza Strip in mid-August 2005, almost every major issue about the territory's future remains undecided....Read the full article

PCHR Condemns Kidnapping of US Citizen in Rafah. Second kidnapping in as many weeks a US citizen was kidnapped in Rafah early this morning. The unidentified kidnappers released their hostage after a short period. He was left in a school in Rafah, unharmed. The kidnappers have escaped. According to PCHR’s initial investigations at about 0645 on Sunday July the 24th an armed Palestinian wearing military garb broke into an apartment inside a residential block in the centre of Rafah...Read the full article.

Mort Klien - President, ZOA ZOA DISMAYED BY SEC'Y RICE'S UNDESERVED PRAISE OF ABBAS' 'ANTI-TERROR STEPS' AND CRITICISM OF ISRAEL. (Communicated by Mort Klein, ZOA's President)

Photos from L to R: 1. ZOA's President, Mr. Morton Klein, one of the most brilliant Jewish minds of our time. 2. Dr. Jerome Kaufman, ZOA's National Secretary and World Jewish News Agency Charter Member and Senior Political Analyst. Dr. Kaufman's is a major driving force of our agency.

NEW YORK- The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has strongly criticized U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's undeserved praise of Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas' "important steps cracking down on violence" especially at a time when Palestinian Arab terrorist attacks against Israelis are actually increasing, and also expressed deep concern of Rice's chastising Israel's actions. Rice said, "I want to take this opportunity to commend President Abbas and his leadership as well as that of his government for their ongoing efforts to enforce the rule of law in the West Bank and Gaza...Read the full article

Haifa University Survey Finds Jewish Settlers in Gaza More Militant than Judea-Samaria Settlers on Eve of Disengagement. HAIFA- Settlers in the Gaza area are much more likely than Samaria-Judea residents to object to any disengagement plan to evacuate Jewish settlements. By the same token, fewer Gaza settlers than those in Samaria and Judea believe that increased compensation will make it easier to carry out the disengagement plan. The greater militancy of Gaza settlers shown by these and other findings of a University of Haifa survey explains statements and actions of settler leaders from the two areas in last week's march on Gush Katif...Read the full article.

US warns of planned Saudi attack. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia has warned Americans there to keep a low profile, following intelligence pointing to a potential terror attack. An embassy statement referred to "indications of operational planning" by Islamist militants. However, it said it had no information about the timing, target or method of a possible terrorist attack. Since May 2003, militants in Saudi have frequently targeted Westerners in suicide bombings and kidnappings. Militants loyal to Saudi-born al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden have killed more than 90 foreign nationals and Saudi citizens and caused damage costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Saudi Arabia has come under pressure to curb extremism in the wake of the violence and there have been regular gun battles between Saudi security forces and militants. The kingdom says it is doing everything in its power to crack down on individuals and organisations linked to terrorism.

Saudis dismiss Rice's criticism. Saudi Arabia has played down an appeal by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for democratic reform and the release of three political prisoners. Ms Rice made the call before arriving in Riyadh to meet de facto Saudi ruler Crown Prince Abdullah and the foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal.

Photo: The US has been challenging close Middle Eastern allies.

Prince Saud said afterwards that a country's own people were best placed to determine how it should reform. The dissidents, he added, were in the hands of the court, not the government. Ms Rice, in a speech in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Monday, went further than any other senior US official in pushing for democratic reform in the Middle East. "Throughout the Middle East the fear of free choices can no longer justify the denial of liberty," she said. "It is time to abandon the excuses that are made to avoid the hard work of democracy." 'Brave citizens': As well as criticising Egypt's political record, she also spoke of "three individuals... imprisoned for peacefully petitioning their government". She was referring to three activists in Saudi Arabia - Ali al-Demaini, Abdullah al-Hamed and Matruk al-Faleh - sentenced to between six and nine years in prison in May on charges of demanding a constitutional monarchy. "That should not be a crime in any country," she said, speaking in praise of "brave citizens" who demanded "accountable government" in Saudi Arabia. Her speech came before she headed on to Riyadh for the fourth, and final leg, of her Middle East tour. She was treated to a tea ceremony with Prince Saud at Riyadh airbase, before meeting Crown Prince Abdullah at the Crown Prince's Palace. Speaking at a news conference after midnight, Prince Saud said: "The row is really meaningless." "The assessment that is important for any country in the development of its political reform is the judgment of its own people". As for the dissidents, he added: "The government cannot interfere until the court action is taken in this regard." Lawyers for the three activists are expected to appeal against the sentences on Tuesday.

MOI: Meeting with Mofaz Fruitless. TEL AVIV- (WAFA-PLO News Agency)- Ministry of Interior (MOI)said on Sunday that the meeting between Minister of Interior Nassir Yossef and Israeli Minister Shaul Mufaz on Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank was fruitless. In a press release, the MOI said it was clear that Israeli side showed no seriousness during the meeting as it did not provide clarifications on some issues the Palestinian national Authority inquired about. The MOI added that Israeli procrastination and negative answers will not help achieve the needed goals for these meetings and translating the results on the ground.

Palestinian Factions Jointly Attack Israeli Settlements in South Gaza Strip. GAZA. (IPC+Agencies)-[Official PA wesbite]. Israeli military sources reported today morning that an attack was conducted overnight in Salah Al-Din road on the Israeli two illegal settlements Ghosh Qatif and Kosofim. Few Israeli settlers were killed and wounded in the attack...Read the full article.

Condoleezza Rice and Mahmoud Abbas Secretary Rice urges Israel not to seal Gaza

Photo: Ms Rice was on her third visit to the Middle East in five months

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged Israel not to seal off the Gaza Strip following its planned withdrawal from the area next month. Ms Rice met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas one day after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Palestinians say Israel has not offered assurances over access, including the free movement of goods and people. Israel has voiced concerns that the pullout will be met by an increase in violence by Palestinian militants. Speaking in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Ms Rice said a well co-ordinated pullout could "re-energise" the peace process. "We are committed to connectivity between Gaza and the West Bank and we are committed to openness and freedom of movement for the Palestinian people," Ms Rice added. 'Answers needed' Ms Rice said more communication between Israeli and Palestinian officials was necessary to help ensure a peaceful and permanent withdrawal. In Jerusalem, says Ms Rice firmly delivered Israel's message to her Palestinian hosts that security is the priority. But Palestinians fear their own message that time is running out to resolve crucial problems in Gaza was not delivered to the Israeli government with the same force, our correspondent adds.

Photo: Earlier talks with the Israeli leader were described as "excellent"

Mr Abbas said on the eve of the meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah that he needed to know more from the Israelis about the withdrawal. "I will tell her: 'Dr Rice, we need answers from the Israelis,'" he said in an interview for Reuters news agency. "Is Gaza going to be turned into a large prison? The Israelis are not co-operating." He said Israel should provide information about logistics, and about the fate of border crossings and the Palestinian airport. Shuttle diplomacy: Speaking after meeting Mr Abbas, Ms Rice said the Palestinian Authority should do more to stem violence before the planned pullout. Israel's disengagement plan involves the evacuation of more than 8,000 Israelis from 21 heavily-fortified settlements in the Gaza Strip, and hundreds more from four settlements in the northern West Bank. Israel has occupied Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 1967. Ms Rice's hastily-arranged three-day visit to the Middle East began with talks with Mr Sharon on Friday. She then made a surprise visit to Beirut, saying she wanted to show support for the new Lebanese government, the first elected for 30 years without Syrian influence in the country.

Abbas Rejects "Gaza State", Cooperation on Disengagement Advanced. GAZA, (IPC+WAFA)-[Official PA website]-President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) fully rejected Tuesday talks "Gaza state "following the Israeli planned disengagement from Gaza Strip. He emphasized on the need of territorial contiguity between the Strip and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories and the outer world. In an interview with al Khaleej newspaper in his office in Gaza, his Excellency voiced his fears of turning the Strip into a big prison. He added that the USA position in such a regard is nice but it needs to take effect on the ground , holding the Israeli premier Arial Sharon responsible of any disturbances had Sharon not committed to the true peace, meant of ending the Israeli occupation and find a resolution for the outstanding final status issues. Abbas also stressed on the need all the Palestinian faction assume the responsibilities as the upcoming phase will not endure any form of tension any more. He also heeded that there is a concrete progress between the Palestinians and Israelis on the planned disengagement from Gaza Strip slated next August. Abbas 'remarks came out following a meeting with the Prime Minister Ahamd Qurei and several ministers including the civil affair minister Mohammed Dahlan. Questioned about the latest Sharon threats to blow strikes against the Palestinians in response to any attack Abu Mazen said "such statements we get used to , we assume out duties and work persistently to assert cease fire . This is our common interest and not because of threats."

Yesha Council announces further plans to reach Gush Katif. Following last week's three-day march towards Gush Katif attended by tens of thousands, the Yesha Council will be holding a press conference tomorrow, Wednesday July 27 at 11:00 am in their Jerusalem offices – 11 Hadfus St., Givat Shaul. Plans will be unveiled for the next stage of the battle for public opinion and for the influx of thousands more into Gush Katif, to stand together with their heroic brothers at this critical time. "We will raise the true voice of the masses, democratically and nonviolently, but with determination and strength. We will not let Sharon quiet this opposition, and we will reach Gush Katif together", leaders said. Leaders of the Yesha council and the National camp will provide a briefing and answer questions in both Hebrew and English. The press is welcome.

Egypt received warning about and before the deadly resort attack. Egyptian security officials say they had information of an imminent attack before last weekend's devastating blast in Sharm el-Sheik that left 88 dead. Authorities however believed the attack would target casinos, so security was increased around those sites, two officials said on condition of anonymity because release of the information was not authorized. The officials claim to have knowledge of the investigation, but would not say where the tip came from. Meanwhile, an Egyptian man connected to Islamic militants has been identified as one of the suicide bombers in Saturday's attacks, after police had earlier suspected a group of Pakistani men...Read the full article.

Suicide bomber in Sharm carnage ID'd as Egyptian with Islamic militant link. SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt- Investigators have identified a body they suspect of being a suicide bomber in the weekend terror attacks in this Red Sea resort, saying he was an Egyptian with Islamic militant ties, security officials said Tuesday. Police hauled in dozens more people for questioning in the attack. Meanwhile, security officials revealed that Egyptian authorities received information about an imminent terror attack in Sharm el-Sheik days ahead of the devastating bombings. But they believed it would target casinos, so security was increased around those sites, said two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because release of the information was not authorized...Read the full article

4 Americans killed in bombing in Baghdad; gunmen kill 16 workers

Photo: Victims of an attack on a bus lie wounded in a local hospital in Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, Iraq- A roadside bombing killed four U.S. soldiers in southwestern Baghdad, the U.S. command said Tuesday, and 16 Iraqi government workers died in a hail of gunfire as they left work on the western edge of the capital. The bloodshed occurred against a backdrop of intense deliberations to forge a new constitution by an Aug. 15 deadline. A draft copy published Tuesday in a government newspaper said Islam would be designated as the main source of legislation - a departure from the model set down by U.S. authorities during the occupation...Read the full article

A part of Iraq's draft constitution gives Islam a major role in Iraqi civil law

Photo: Iraq's Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari wears a bulletproof vest and a military helmet while visiting a training base at the Baghdad airport Monday where he watched Iraq's most elite special forces perform training exercises.

BAGHDAD, Iraq- A part of Iraq's draft constitution gives Islam a major role in Iraqi civil law, raising concerns that women could lose rights in marriage, divorce and inheritance. The proposal also appears to rule out non-governmental militias, an area addressed Monday by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad....Read the full article

Message by the parents of a Jewish girl allegedly detained for protesting Ariel Sharon's plan to expel Jews. Dear friends: I am writing you in connection with my 14 year old daughter Chaya who has spent the past 3 weeks of her summer vacation in jail. No, no, she hasn't murdered anyone. Nor did she steal anything, assault anyone or sell drugs. All she did was go to a demonstration in " the only democracy in the middle east". Here is how it happened. On 22 Sivan 5765 {29.06.05} Chaya decided to lend moral support to her friends who went to protest Ariel Sharon's plan to expel Jews...Read the full article

No Pakistanis involved in Egypt attacks: Envoy

Photos from L to R: #1. The photograph released by the Egyptian police shows Pakistani national Rashid Ali, who had sought by the authorities in Egypt in connection with the Sharm el-Sheik bombings. #2. The photograph released by the Egyptian police shows Pakistani national Mohammed Anwar sought by the authorities in Egypt.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan- No Pakistanis were involved in the deadly bombings at Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, the Egyptian ambassador said today. "No Pakistani national was involved in the terrorist attacks that rocked Sharm el-Sheik late last Saturday," the Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement. Ambassador Hussein Haridy said he informed the Pakistani government by telephone late Monday of the Egyptian conclusion...Read the full article.

Moshe Dayan's eye patch on sale for $75,000

The worldwide famous eye patch worn by the legendary General Moshe Dayan has gone on sale for $75,000 on the internet website eBay. The black eye patch is said to have been given to Dayan's bodyguard minutes after he died in 1981. It is hard to guess who will offer the highest bid on the famous eye patch. Below the belt gossips gear toward alleged interests by 2 former Egyptians commanders of the Egyptian air force.

Born in 1915, in what was then still Palestine, Dayan lost his eye serving alongside the Allies in World War II. He later served as chief of staff in the 1956 campaign against Egypt, and then as defense and foreign minister. Along with the eye patch, Israeli art dealers Pasarel are selling a Smith & Wesson revolver given to Dayan by the company and engraved with his signature. 'Israel's Nelson': Dayan is said to have left all of his personal belongings to his bodyguard, who only took the two items offered for sale. Pasarel owner Moti Sender said he had received a lot of international interest in the eye patch. "To us, Dayan is like Admiral Nelson is to the British. It's as if we were selling Nelson's hat." Only the eye patch is being offered for sale on eBay, as guns cannot be sold through the website. One offer of $58,000 was reported for the patch.

US PENTAGON: "Iraq's police force is recruiting insurgents and former criminals to its ranks." The Us Pentagon blames poor vetting procedures and recommends that the quality of records at Iraq's interior ministry be checked. US-run training programs, in which more than 60,000 Iraqi recruits have taken part, are only a qualified success, the Pentagon report says. An earlier report found only 50% of battalions able to combat insurgents. The formation of an effective police force is a key element of attempts to combat the insurgency in Iraq, in which hundreds of police officers and would-be recruits have been killed. 'Infiltration': The report praises the work of the police during January's election, and says police officers are increasingly visible on the streets. But it says many new recruits are illiterate, have criminal records or are physically disabled. Inducting criminals into the [Iraqi police] is a continual concern. Even more troubling is infiltration by intending terrorists or insurgents. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that such persons indeed are among the ranks of the police. The report adds that coalition personnel are ineffective as recruiters, and focus on quantity rather than quality. "There is a perception that training programs have produced 'cannon fodder' - numbers of nominal policemen incapable of defending themselves, let alone the Iraqi public," it says. Current plans are for a 135,000-strong force. US-led forces are expected to stay in the country until Iraqi security forces are able to withstand the insurgent on their own.