Foreign Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Gates Gathers Advice From Iraq Commanders
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Defense Secretary Gates, in an unannounced trip to the battlefront, discussed a possible infusion of more troops into Iraq with American commanders yesterday but said no decisions have been made. On just his third day in his post, Mr. Gates journeyed to Iraq armed with a mandate from President Bush to help forge a new Iraq war strategy. His goal is get advice from his top military commanders on a new strategy for the increasingly unpopular, costly, and chaotic war — a conflict that Mr. Bush conceded Tuesday that America is not winning.
— Associated Press
Kerry, Dodd Hold Meeting With Syrian Leader
DAMASCUS, Syria — Senators Kerry and Dodd met with the Syrian president, Bashar Al-Assad, yesterday to discuss how Damascus could help bring about stability and security to war-ravaged Iraq. Mr. Kerry, a Democrat of Massachusetts, has sharply criticized President Bush’s rejection of recommendations that Washington engage Syria and its ally Iran on calming Iraq, saying that America must deal with its enemies in the region if it wants to bring progress.
— Associated Press
Somalia Peace Talks To Resume, Officials Say
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s transitional government and its rivals in an Islamic movement have agreed to return to peace talks, a European Union envoy said yesterday. The agreement came on a day of heavy fighting outside the only town the government controls, underlining the difficulties of securing peace in this chaotic Horn of Africa country. No date was given for the talks, which were to take place in Khartoum, Sudan.
— Associated Press
20,000 Flee Homes As Flood Hits Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains has forced more than 20,000 people to flee their homes in the southern Malaysian state of Johor, officials said yesterday. Flooding was also reported in the neighboring states of Malacca and Negeri Sembilan, but the situation there was not as serious. About 22,000 people in eight districts of Johor had taken refuge in town halls, schools, and community centers, Che Moin Umar of the Civil Defense Department told the Associated Press.
— Associated Press
