IRAQ

stuff.nz: US to approve shooting of Iraqi looters - NY Times
NEW YORK: The new US administrator for Iraq, L Paul Bremer, is
preparing a
series of security-related measures that include permitting soldiers to
shoot looters on sight, the New York Times reported today. Bremer,
outlining his approach at a meeting with senior staff members on
Tuesday,
also said he was eager to hire more police officers and ban Baath Party
members from serving above a certain rank in future governments, the
Times reported, citing officials present at the meeting. Since the fall of
Saddam Hussein, Iraq's cities have faced widespread looting, and a failure to
ensure safety and security are among the chief complaints of Iraqis
with US forces. "They are going to start shooting a few looters so that word
gets around," The Times quoted an official who attended the meeting with
Bremer as saying. "I think you are going to see a change in the rules of
engagement within a few days to get the situation under control."