Robert Gates sees al-Qaeda “last gasp” in Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the spate of deadly bombings in Baghdad this week may signal an end to al-Qaeda’s attacks in Iraq. “These are spectacular events that are basically al-Qaeda’s last gasp, I hope,” Gates told reporters in Washington on Tuesday (April 7). President Barack Obama was headed home after an eight- day trip to Europe that included a surprise stop in Iraq. The bombings have raised concern that violence again is threatening the Iraqi leadership’s efforts to unify and stabilize the country, with the U.S. planning to begin troop withdrawals this year. Four separate blasts in Baghdad yesterday killed at least 18 people and hurt more than 40. Still, the top U.S. ground commander Army General Ray Odierno has told Gates “the violence level is still at very low levels. These are still basically 2003 levels” before the insurgency took off, Gates told a small group of reporters at the Pentagon. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said in a statement that the country’s armed forces must take “rapid steps” to ensure violence doesn’t spiral out of control. SH (S) 1