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Massive Explosions at US Base in Northern Iraq - 2004-06-02


A series of massive explosions rocked a US military base in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk late Wednesday.

Iraqi police say unknown assailants fired mortars or missiles, hitting the ammunition dump at the Kirkuk airport. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The blasts came hours after two car bombs in Baghdad killed at least six people and wounded 30 others.

In other violence, at least four Iraqis were killed in clashes between US forces and militants loyal to radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in the holy city of Kufa.

Also Wednesday, the al-Jazeerah television network broadcast videotape of three Italian hostages held in Iraq. The men were abducted on April 12th near Baghdad, along with a fourth Italian who was killed shortly after being taken.

On the political front, United Nations special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi urged Iraqis to accept the newly-named interim Iraqi government, calling it the "best outcome" at this time to lead the nation.

Meanwhile, French President Jacques Chirac said a new draft UN resolution on Iraq needs further changes. Mr. Chirac said the resolution should affirm and confirm the full sovereignty of the Iraqi government, particularly in military matters.

France has veto power in the UN Security Council, where members are discussing a revised US - British draft resolution recognizing the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq on July first and authorizing a US led international security force. The new proposal was presented on Tuesday. Reports say the new draft gives the Iraqi government control over police and other security forces and limits the stay of the multinational force.

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