Iraq

Iraq may be led by expanded council

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi administration that takes power from the Americans this summer likely will be an expanded version of the U.S.-appointed Governing Council, Iraqi officials and sources close to the council said Thursday.

A group seeking the restoration of the Iraqi monarchy and additional voices representing Sunni Muslims and postwar tribal alliances were expected to take positions on the council, which could eventually expand to 100 members from 25.

No details have been presented on such an expansion, but a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition said new members of the council were likely to be selected through caucuses in Iraq's 18 provinces - providing there is agreement on expanding the body.

JACKSONVILLE - An attorney representing the family of missing Navy pilot Scott Speicher is asking for permission to interview captured Iraqi officials to see if she can determine what happened to the pilot who was shot in 1991 in the first war with Iraq.

In a letter to U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla., attorney Cindy Laquidara said she had evidence placing Speicher in the custody of the man known as Chemical Ali, former Iraqi Gen. Ali Hassan al-Majid. Al-Majid was captured by coalition forces in August.

Laquidara also wants the government's help in finding Iraq's former ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammed Aldouri.

TIKRIT, Iraq - The U.S. military is investigating two incidents near Kirkuk involving claims that American soldiers killed five Iraqis while on missions to seek out insurgents, the Army said Thursday.

In one, a group of Iraqis claimed soldiers shot and killed four people Wednesday in the northern Iraqi city. In the other, an Iraqi man was killed Feb. 27 during a U.S. military operation to arrest insurgents.

PUNTA GORDA - A 22-year-old soldier, who family members said always dreamed of joining the military, has been killed in Iraq.

An Army sergeant informed Lee Woodliff that his son, Michael, was killed when an explosion tore through the Humvee the specialist was riding in on Tuesday. Michael Woodliff died later in the day in a Baghdad medical facility, his father was told.

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