From the Associated Press via The New York Timescomes the news of another bloodbath. These marauders know that as long as the carnage continues no stable government of any kind will take root in Iraq. They, whoever they are, know that they will remain in the running for the race to determine who and what will rule Iraq.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- A car bomb exploded near a police station in the Iraqi capital early Tuesday as dozens of people were applying to join the force, killing at least 32 people and wounding 88, officials said.
The blast left a gaping 10-foot crater outside the station at the end of Haifa street, a main Baghdad thoroughfare that has been the scene recently of fierce clashes. Nearby shops and buildings were badly damaged and 10 cars parked nearby were completely wrecked.
Paramedics picked up body parts scattered across the street and put them into boxes. Anguished men lifted charred bodies and lay them gently on stretchers. Helicopters circled.
Health Ministry spokesman Saad Al-Amili said at least 32 people were killed and 88 wounded.
Angry crowds near the site of the blast denounced U.S. forces and interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's government for failing to protect police recruiting centers.
"Such places were targeted before," said Ali Abul-Amir, who was among those trying to join the force but had gone around the corner to buy a drink when the explosion went off.
"I blame Ayad Allawi's government for what happened because they did not take the necessary security measures," he said.
Angry residents also condemned President Bush.
"Bush is a dog," they chanted.
Iraqi police forces have repeatedly been targeted by insurgents who see them as "collaborators" with U.S. forces. Militants are bent on thwarting U.S.-backed efforts to build a strong Iraqi police force capable of securing Iraqi cities ahead of nationwide January elections.
A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb outside the police academy in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk earlier this month as hundreds of trainees and civilians were leaving for the day, killing at least 20 people and wounding 36.
