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 Monday, June 19
Editor's Note: The CNN Wire is a running log of the latest news from CNN World Headquarters, reported by CNN's correspondents and producers, and The CNN Wire editors. "Posted" times are Eastern Daylight. Blast kills 2, hurts 28 in central Baghdad marketBAGHDAD (CNN) -- A bomb exploded in a crowded market in central Baghdad Tuesday morning killing two people and wounding 28 others, according to Baghdad Police. The explosion happened at 10 a.m. in Bab al-Shurji commercial district, police said. Japan to pull ground troops from IraqTOKYO (CNN) -- Japan will withdraw its ground troops from Iraq, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announced Tuesday. Japan's 600 military troops based in the southern Muthana province are all non-combat personnel helping to rebuild the infrastructure. Koizumi offered no timetable for the withdrawal, but said Japan has fulfilled its role in humanitalian and reconstruction assistance in that region. (Posted 2:15 a.m.) Bush: Early withdrawal from Iraq would be 'a defeat'WASHINGTON (CNN) -- With Democratic senators pressing to set a time frame for leaving Iraq, President Bush made it clear Monday night there would be no early withdrawal as long as Republicans "run the Congress and occupy the White House." "An early withdrawal would be a defeat for the United States," Bush said at a GOP fundraiser in Washington. "An early withdrawal would embolden the terrorists. Talk about a deadline, before we've done the job, sends chills throughout the spines of Iraqi citizens, who are wondering whether or not the United States has the capacity to keep its word." The president also said an withdrawal "before we've completed the mission would say to the United States military, 'Your sacrifices have gone in vain.'" On Friday, two non-binding resolutions calling for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq were introduced by Democratic senators as amendments to the 2007 Defense Department authorization bill. (Posted 2:14 a.m.) Army charges 3 soldiers with killing Iraqi prisonersBAGHDAD (CNN) -- An Army sergeant and two soldiers have been charged with murder in the May killings of three Iraqi prisoners, the U.S. military announced Monday. Pentagon sources told CNN that the soldiers are alleged to have shot the detainees and then inaccurately portrayed it as a case of the detainees fleeing. Staff Sgt. Raymond L. Girouard, Pfc. Corey Claggett and Spc. William B. Hunsacker are members of the Army's 101st Airborne Division, based in northern Iraq. All three are charged with premeditated murder, attempted murder and conspiracy in connection with the prisoners' deaths. The killings took place during an operation near Tharthar Canal, which connects the Tigris and Euphrates rivers north of Baghdad. The military said the incident took place "at or near" the Al-Muthanna chemical plant, near Samarra, which Iraq once used to produce nerve gas. The soldiers are also accused of obstructing justice and threatening a fellow soldier who witnessed the shootings, telling him they would kill him if he talked. (Posted 8:34 p.m.) New Episcopal leader says being gay not a sin(CNN) -- With her denomination teetering on the brink of schism over the role of gay men and lesbians in the life of the church, the Episcopal Church's first female leader told CNN Monday that she does not believe being gay is a sin and that the "great message" of Jesus was "to include the unincluded." Asked about Bible passages against homosexuality cited by Christian conservatives, Katharine Jefferts Schori said, "The Bible comes to us out of contexts that are quite different from our own, and people were asking different questions." The Episcopal Church has been at odds with many of its more conservative sister churches in worldwide Anglican Communion over the 2003 election and ordination of an openly gay man -- Gene Robinson -- as bishop of the diocese New Hampshire. (Posted 7:57 p.m.) Israeli helicopter targets weapons factory, Israeli army saysGAZA CITY (CNN) -- An Israeli helicopter gunship Monday fired a missile in Gaza City, witnesses said. There were no casualties. The missile struck a building that houses a workshop of some kind, according to video aired on the Palestinian Ramattan news agency. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the strike targeted a factory that manufactures weapons used by Hamas against Israelis. The building also houses an office for a community service organization that collects funds for the families of those killed in Israeli attacks. The building has been targeted in the past, Palestinian officials said. (Posted 6:30 p.m.) Gov. Blanco agrees to send National Guard into New OrleansNEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco on Monday granted a request from New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin to send National Guard troops and state police back into the flood-damaged city, after a weekend in which five teenagers were gunned down. "We must protect our citizens. Having more law enforcement patrolling the streets is a direct deterrent to the criminal element," Blanco said in a written statement. "Criminals are not welcome in New Orleans or anywhere else in this state." Blanco said she would consult with New Orleans Police Superintendent Warren Riley to determine how many troops and state police would be needed. The deployment will begin Tuesday. "We're not going to allow ... Hurricane Crime to replace Hurricane Katrina," City Council President Oliver Thomas said at a Monday news conference, where city leaders presented a unified anti-crime front. "If we don't have wind knocking us down, we have people -- murderers -- shooting us down, and that is unacceptable." (Posted 5:25 p.m.) Poll: Almost half of polled Americans would 'definitely not' vote for Sen. Clinton in 2008(CNN) -- With the presidential election still two years away, nearly half of Americans would "definitely not vote" for Sen. Hillary Clinton, a CNN poll released Monday shows. People were asked whether they would "definitely vote for," "definitely vote against," or "consider voting for" three Democrats and three Republicans who might run for president in 2008. Regarding the potential Democratic candidates, 47 percent of respondents said they would "definitely vote against" both Clinton and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, while 48 percent said the same of former Vice President Al Gore, who has repeatedly denied he intends to run for office. Among the Republicans, Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani fared better than the Democrats, while Florida Gov. Jeb Bush fared worse. Only 30 percent said they would "definitely vote against" Giuliani and only 34 percent said that of McCain. For Bush, brother of the current president, 63 percent said there was no way he would get their vote. Bush has also denied interest in running for president in 2008. (Posted 5:17 p.m.) Cheney stands by 2005 'last throes' predictionWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday stood by his year-old prediction that the insurgency against U.S. troops in Iraq was in its "last throes" but said the United States underestimated the strength of that insurgency. Cheney said in a May 2005 interview with CNN that he believed the insurgency in Iraq was in its "last throes." About 850 U.S. troops and thousands of Iraqis have been killed since then, but Cheney said Monday that he still believes that. "I think the key turning point when we get back 10 years from now, say, and look back on this period of time with respect to the campaign in Iraq, will be that series of events when the Iraqis increasingly took over responsibility for their own affairs," he told reporters at the National Press Club. (Posted 3:15 p.m.) Democrats push for Iraq troop withdrawal planWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Leading Democrats in the Senate have introduced an amendment to the 2007 Defense Department authorization bill calling for the beginning of a phased withdrawal of American troops from Iraq by the end of 2006 -- a call Sen. Carl Levin said does not amount to setting a timetable. Levin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the measure also asks the Bush administration to submit a plan for continued redeployment of troops beyond 2006. "Our amendment does not address speed or the pace of the phased redeployment that we call for," Levin said. "Our amendment does not establish a timetable. It does urge that a phased redeployment begin this year partly as a way to move away from an open-ended commitment and as a way to end Iraqi dependency on a U.S. security blanket." He added, "The longer that we remain in an open-ended commitment to Iraq, the less likely they will take the steps they need to take." (Posted 2:44 p.m.) Research says ethanol contributes to gas price spikeNEW YORK (CNN) -- Ethanol-blended gasoline, the highly touted eco-friendly alternative fuel that is supposed to leave drivers with some post-pumping pocket change, is actually costing consumers 20 to 30 cents more a gallon, according to research by the Oil Price Information Service. Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at OPIS, said the rising demand for ethanol, in the face of skyrocketing gas prices, has caused a considerable price increase because of shortages in the ethanol supply. "It seems ethanol producers and lobbyist overpromoted the ability to rapidly produce their produce," Kloza said. "The idea that ethanol is a cheaper alternative for consumers right now is not at all accurate. It's cheaper to make ethanol than conventional gasoline, and it may be cheaper to purchase down the line, but right now, the number of buyers is heavily outstripping the ethanol supply." --From CNN's Jonathan Schienberg (Posted 2:05 p.m.) U.N. warns of regional conflict over SomaliaUNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The rise of an Islamic militia in Mogadishu, Somalia, could lead to a regional war in the Horn of Africa unless the international community settle Somalia's 15-year-old civil war, the top U.N. envoy for the country warned Monday. Francois Lonseny Fall warned that Ethiopia had moved troops toward its border with Somalia since the Islamic Courts Union captured the country's war-torn capital, and could intervene if the ICU moves toward the seat of the country's transitional government in Baidoa. "If something is not done now, this conflict might have some regional dimension, and the Security Council might need to take more action," he said. The ICU, which wrested control of Mogadishu from a U.S.-backed coalition of secular warlords earlier this month, accused Ethiopian troops of entering Somalia over the weekend. Fall said there was no clear indication that had occurred, but said Ethiopia sent troops to its border with Somalia after reports that the ICU was moving its forces toward the Ethiopian frontier. (Posted 1:47 p.m.) Rice warns against North Korean missile firingWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday that the test firing of a missile by North Korea would be regarded as a "very serious matter" by the United States. "It would be a very serious matter and, indeed, a provocative act, should North Korea decide to launch that missile," she told reporters after meeting with Spain's foreign minister. "We will obviously consult on next steps, but I can assure everyone, it would be taken with utmost seriousness." Rice said such a move would be considered "an abrogation of obligations" undertaken by North Korea when it signed a moratorium on such firings in 1999, and which they reiterated in 2002. (Posted 1:35 p.m.) High court accepts another case over federal ban on late-term abortion procedureWASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has accepted a second case testing the constitutionality of a federal law banning a specific, controversial late-term abortion procedure critics call "partial birth." The cases could provide a judicial sea change, with the key vote perhaps coming from the high court's newest member, Justice Samuel Alito. He replaced Sandra Day O'Connor, who was a key swing vote for a quarter century upholding the basic right to abortion. The views of Alito, a more conservative jurist, could prove crucial in the new debate. The justices have already agreed to decide the contentious issue this fall. The new appeal comes from the Bush administration, which lost after a lawsuit filed by the reproductive rights group Planned Parenthood. A federal appeals court based in San Francisco threw out the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Act of 2003 as unconstitutional because it did not provide a health exception to pregnant women facing a medical emergency. --From CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears (Posted 1:32 p.m.) High winds, heat keep firefighters battling blaze north of SedonaPHOENIX, Ariz. (CNN) -- High winds and hot conditions were keeping Arizona firefighters busy Monday battling the 1,138-acre Brins Fire north of Sedona, said Coconino National Forest spokeswoman Kristy Bryner. Nearly 500 homes and business have been under a mandatory evacuation since Sunday, with flames within a mile of many of the homes. Fire officials are keeping a particularly close eye on the Oak Creek Canyon area, which has been evacuated, as well as two Northern Sedona subdivisions, she said. There is no current containment on the fire, and while no structures have burned, Bryner said the fire danger is extreme, with a red flag warning in effect until 8 p.m. MST. (Posted 1:25 p.m.) Rice warns against North Korean missile firingWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday that the test firing of a missile by North Korea would be regarded as a "very serious matter" by the United States. "It would be a very serious matter and, indeed, a provocative act, should North Korea decide to launch that missile," she told reporters after meeting with Spain's foreign minister. "We will obviously consult on next steps, but I can assure everyone, it would be taken with utmost seriousness." (Posted 1:22 p.m.) 560 Abu Ghraib prison detainees set free MondayBAGHDAD (CNN) -- About 560 Abu Ghraib prisoners were released Monday, marking the third release in the Iraqi prime minister's national reconciliation plan, which will free 2,500 detainees -- the same number of U.S. soldiers killed in the war. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's plan is designed to placate Sunni factions and counter sectarian strife. So far 1,382 detainees have been released from various Iraqi prisons. --CNN Producer Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report. Justices offer limited ruling on scope of clear water protectionWASHINGTON (CNN) -- A sharply divided Supreme Court limited the reach of federal regulators to block private development that might affect water quality, in an important property rights dispute that exposed deep divisions among the justices. The court on Monday concluded 5-4 that the Army Corps of Engineers exercised undue regulation in two cases involving plans by two Michigan landowners to build a shopping center and condominiums on land that contained wetlands. But the justices failed to agree on the broader issue of whether the government's reach extends to tributaries -- the many lakes, streams, swamps, dikes, canals, and even temporary ponds and drainage ditches that often cross state lines and feed a maze of larger so-called "navigable" waterways. That division left courts, the government, and developers with no clear guide over when wetlands would be subject to regulation. --From CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears (Posted 12:10 p.m.) Bush threatens sanctions against Iran if it fails to agree to U.S. offerKINGS POINT, N.Y. (CNN) -- President Bush on Monday said the United States would push for sanctions and would not enter into direct talks with Iran until the country's leaders accept the U.S. demand that it halt its nuclear activities "that mask efforts to acquire nuclear weapons." The United States has offered to meet with U.S. allies and Iranian representatives "as soon as Iran suspends enrichment and reprocessing activities," Bush told graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, where he delivered the keynote address. Bush accused Iran's leaders of sponsoring terrorism and denying liberty and human rights to its people and threatening the existence of Israel. "Nuclear weapons in the hands of this regime would be a grave threat to people everywhere," he said. (Posted 10:57 a.m.) Iraq al Qaeda linked group gives Moscow 48 hours to withdraw from ChechnyaBAGHDAD (CNN) -- A group linked to al Qaeda said Monday it is holding four Russian diplomats hostage and demanded Moscow withdraw its troops from Chechnya and "release all our brothers and sisters" from prison within 48 hours. The Mujahedeen Shura Council made its demands in a posting on its Web site. It did not say what the repercussions would be if Russia did not comply. The group added, "God enabled the lions of unification to capture four Russian diplomats in Iraq and kill a fifth," alluding to an attack June 3, when a car belonging to the Russian Embassy in Iraq came under fire. The Russian Foreign Ministry was attempting to validate the group's claim Monday, a ministry spokesman told Interfax news agency. (Posted 10:46 a.m.) Iraq al Qaeda-linked group claims to have kidnapped 2 missing U.S. soldiersBAGHDAD (CNN) -- A group linked to al Qaeda claimed on a Web site Monday that it had abducted the two American soldiers missing since Friday after insurgents attacked a checkpoint near Yusufiya, killing another soldier. The group -- Mujahedeen Shura Council -- did not post pictures or video of the soldiers as has been done with hostages in the past, but stated it kidnapped the American soldiers and now "the strongest army in the world is turned around, ashamed of their failure (to find the soldiers) and we will give you more information on the incident in the following days." The claim could not be verified but the Web site has been used by insurgent groups in the past to post messages. (Posted 10 a.m.) Prosecutor asks for indictment of U.S. soldier in shooting death of Italian intelligence agent in IraqROME (CNN) -- An Italian prosecutor asked a judge Monday to indict a U.S. soldier in the shooting of an Italian intelligence agent at a checkpoint in Iraq last year. Prosecutor Franco Ionta told CNN he had filed a request with an investigative judge in the shooting of Italian intelligence agent Nicola Calipari. Calipari had been sent to Iraq to negotiate the release of Italian journalist Guiliana Sgrena who was kidnapped in southern Baghdad on Feb. 4, 2005. As a result of his efforts, Sgrena was freed a month later. Calipari was escorting her to the Baghdad airport when he was shot to death by U.S. troops at a checkpoint. The journalist was wounded in the shoulder. The United States said the shooting was an accident, and no disciplinary action was taken against the soldiers involved. The Italian government, which conducted a separate investigation, disputed that conclusion. Ionta said the judge in the case will now begin proceedings. He said that the soldier is not in Italy but could still be indicted there. (Posted 9:59 a.m.) Zoellick to quit 'in the coming weeks'WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, the department's No. 2 official, will leave his job "in the coming weeks," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters Monday. "Today, American diplomacy is on track; it is stronger than ever and that is due, in no small part, to Bob Zoellick," she told reporters. "I've accomplished what I've set out to do, and it's time for me to step down," said Zoellick, who entered public office in 2001 as the U.S. trade representative. He said he plans to join the investment banking firm Goldman Sachs. (Posted 9:58 a.m.) Saddam Hussein prosecutor asks for death penalty, trial adjournedBAGHDAD (CNN) -- After a prosecutor asked for the death penalty for deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, the judge Monday adjourned Saddam's trial until July 10. The defense is scheduled to make closing aruments when the trial resumes. Hussein and seven of his former regime members are accused of killing and torturing Shiites in a crackdown launched in Dujail after a 1982 assassination attempt on the former dictator. In closing arguments, the prosecution asked for the most severe punishment -- the death penalty -- for Saddam Hussein, Taha Yasin Ramadan, the former vice president of Iraq, and Barzan al-Tikriti, Saddam's half brother. In addition, they asked for the release of Mohammad Azzawi Ali, a low ranking Dujail Ba'ath Party official, saying there was not enough evidence to convict him. They also asked for a less severe punishments for the others, saying they were just following orders. -- CNN's Arwa Damon and Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report (Posted 6:52 a.m.) Baghdad car bomb kills 4, wounds 10BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A car bomb targeting an Iraqi Army patrol exploded in eastern Baghdad at 10:30 a.m. Monday, killing four civilians and wounding 10 others, Iraqi Emergency Police said. (Posted 3:45 a.m.) Episcopal Church elects its first woman presiding bishopNEW YORK (CNN) -- The Episcopal Church in the United States elected Katherine Jefferts Schori to be its first woman presiding bishop Sunday. The 95-93 vote occurred in the House of Bishops. The 93 votes were split among 6 other candidates. The House of Bishops includes 12 other women bishops. The House of Deputies -- made up of priests and laity -- also confirmed the vote. The clergy voted 98-9 in favor and the lay deputies voted 94-8 in favor. The election comes on the 30th anniversary of the Episcopal Church's 1976 decision to allow women priests. One official at the conference said the election of Jefferts Schori came as a "big surprise." "Many people wanted to vote for her," the official said, "but they did not think she would win." The U.S. Episcopal Church is part of the international Anglican Communion, made up of 38 churches worldwide. It is the first church in the Anglican Communion to have a woman at its head. (Posted 11:58 p.m.) Australia joins warning against North Korean missile test(CNN) -- Australia's foreign minister warned North Korea against carrying out a suspected long-range missile test Monday, warning that "serious consequences" would follow. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he called the North Korean ambassador into his office to explain Canberra's concerns, which echoed condemnation by the United States and Japan. "Any test would be another example of North Korea violating the international commitments it has made," Downer said in a statement issued early Monday. "We are working closely with our allies and friends to try and persuade North Korea not to proceed with a test. We are also discussing contingencies should a test firing occur." Reports of a possible missile test emerged last week, when U.S. and South Korean officials and satellite photoanalysts indicated Pyongyang appeared to be preparing for a test of the Taepodong-2, a long-range missile that could reach part of the United States. North Korea's official news agency KCNA responded by condemning what it said were sightings of U.S. surveillance aircraft over the country, stating those operations were creating "an imminent danger of military clash in the sky above those waters." (Posted 11:47 p.m.) 
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