IRAQI RESISTANCE

Arab News: 233 Attacks On US In Last Week Alone

BAGHDAD -- In a dramatic upsurge in attacks, resistance fighters destroyed an American tank north of Baghdad and wounded seven Ukrainians in the first ambush of multinational troops stationed south of the capital, US and coalition officials said yesterday.

US policy in Iraq suffered another setback when the international Red Cross announced it was reducing its international staff in the country, two days after a deadly suicide car-bombing at its Baghdad headquarters.

Secretary of State Colin Powell had urged the Red Cross and other non-government organizations to remain in Iraq because "if they are driven out, then the terrorists win."

The latest attacks - 233 over the last seven days according to the US military - have driven the combat death toll during the occupation over the number killed before President George W. Bush declared an end to active combat on May 1.

Two American soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division were killed and one was wounded late Tuesday when their Abrams main battle tank apparently hit a land mine near Balad, 70 kilometers north of Baghdad, division spokeswoman Maj. Jossyln Aberle said.