Cease-fire talks continue in Fallujah
Al-Jazeera airs tape of U.S. hostage
 | |
|
Story Tools
|
|  VIDEO |
 Arabic television network Al-Jazeera videotape shows footage of a U.S. soldier and his captors.
 PLAY VIDEO
 Batavia, Ohio, rallies in support of Pfc. Keith Matthew Maupin
PLAY VIDEO
 Ali, 4, was maimed and his grandfather was killed when a U.S. rocket hit as they walked in Fallujah.
PLAY VIDEO
|
RELATED |
 Gallery: Captive U.S. soldier
 Gallery: Grieving families
 Gallery: Remembering loved ones
• Czech journalist describes captivity
|
|
(CNN) -- Coalition military and authority officials, on the second day of talks with Fallujah leaders, are optimistic Saturday that a peace agreement can be reached to stop fighting in the volatile Sunni city.
"Based on what Fallujah leaders are saying, we are hopeful ... about their intentions. Our overriding question is, can they deliver? And if so, can they do so expeditiously. Time is running out," said Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman Dan Senor at a news briefing.
Meanwhile, abductors say they want to trade U.S. Army Pfc. Keith Matthew Maupin -- one of several foreign nationals who have been taken hostage in recent days -- for prisoners held by the United States. Two Japanese civilians kidnapped in Iraq were released Saturday at the Japanese Embassy in Baghdad, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
The Arabic-language television network Al-Jazeera aired footage on Friday of Maupin with hooded men, including four holding rifles and one with a pistol, standing behind him.
Maupin, who had been missing since an April 9 convoy attack, appears to be in good physical shape, according to a senior coalition official. (Full story)
Maupin's family identified the soldier as their son, who's known as "Matt." The family lives in Batavia, Ohio, outside Cincinnati.
"We have viewed the videotape of Matt, as all of you have, I'm sure, and our family is very happy and prays for Matt's safety," spokesman Carl Cottrell said, reading a statement from Maupin's family.(Full story)
Senor didn't discuss the kidnapping at the briefing, but he did say "we will not negotiate with hostage-takers" and the coalition will do what it can to pursue the release of hostages.
In Fallujah, discussions have so far resulted in some "confidence-building" measures, including an agreement to reopen one of the bridges to the main hospital to traffic.
Insurgent assaults in Fallujah, including the killing and mutilation of four U.S. security contractors March 31, spurred the Marines to launch an offensive.
Doctors at clinics in Fallujah estimate that 600 Iraqis have died since the offensive began, more than half of them civilians. No independent sources have corroborated those numbers and the U.S.-led coalition disputes the number of Iraqi civilians killed.
There have been cease-fires called by Marines and insurgents, but the U.S. military says attacks against its troops have continued.
Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, appearing with Senor at a press conference, said attacks continue against Marines and mosques are used for weapons storage.
The coalition is demanding return of the city to Iraqi control and the elimination of foreign fighters, believed to make up 20 percent of an estimated 2,000 fighters.
Senor said the coalition "will not negotiate" with Saddam Hussein remnants and foreign fighters. Instead, officials want to deal with Fallujah residents.
"We believe the overwhelming majority of Fallujans want to remove this burden" and believe they can help provide intelligence and "can play an important role in pressuring the bad actors."
U.S. forces mass near Najaf
Throughout the country, U.S. and Iraqi forces have been battling anti-U.S. resistance forces.
U.S. forces continue to mass around Najaf, the stronghold of wanted Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mehdi Army militia.
The coalition wants to capture or kill al-Sadr, wanted for killing a rival cleric, and is intent on liquidating his militia, which has been fighting U.S. soldiers. There are several parties, including Iranians, trying to negotiate with al-Sadr.
Kimmitt said that al-Sadr's militia "has begun to fracture in Baghdad," where the cleric has widespread support in the Sadr City neighborhood.
Senor said discussions have been "initiated by individuals and organizations" that "want a peaceful resolution in Najaf."
Al-Sadr's spokesman Qays al-Khazali told a press conference that "negotiations are stalled" and "we don't think that the American side has any desire to end this crisis." "The American attack on our sacred sites is almost certain and we have taken the necessary measures."
In Kufa on Friday, three coalition soldiers were wounded and eight Iraqis killed when a patrol was attacked by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.
In northern Iraq, the Stryker Brigade Combat Team detained three people wanted for anti-coalition activities and seized a weapons cache.
Other developments
Meanwhile in Washington, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the United States and Great Britain will seek a U.N. resolution on Iraq, focusing on the handover of civil authority to Iraqis that is scheduled for June 30. The United Nations issued a news release saying U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan agreed with the idea Thursday night during a meeting with Blair. (Full story)Spanish troops in the southern city of Diwaniyah took mortar fire early Friday from suspected Shiite militants loyal to al-Sadr, a spokesman for the Spanish contingent said. The coalition said Friday that eight Iraqi civilians were killed Wednesday in northern Iraq by "indiscriminate anti-coalition mortar and rocket attacks."U.S. soldiers whose combat tours in Iraq have been involuntarily extended beyond one year will be offered bonus pay of $1,000 a month, Army officials told CNN on Friday.
