Korean Embassy in Baghdad Looted

Following the Baghdad seize, U.S. and British coalition forces have gained control of the northern cities of Mosul and Kirkuk. They are now leaving all major cities under their control other than President Saddam Hussein’s hometown Tikrit soon to launch their final military operation on Tikrit. Meanwhile measures for the transitional government of postwar Iraq are also rapidly progressing.

President George W. Bush proclaimed the end of Saddam Hussein’s regime saying that “Saddam Hussein`s regime has passed into history," in his weekly radio address on Saturday (local time).

The U.S. plans to invite Iraqi opposition leaders to the southern city of Nasiriya to discuss issues for establishing a new government after U.S. military administration on March 15.

“In the meeting held for the preparation of establishing the interim government, basic principles for the future self-governing administration will be discussed,” said Central Command spokesperson Captain Frank Thorp.

While some U.S. aircraft carriers are readying to return home from the Persian Gulf, U.S. navy forces are expected to gradually scale back their presence in the region. Timothy Keating, commander of all naval forces during the war said on Saturday, “Two or three of the five U.S. aircraft carriers that launched planes on missions over Iraq may head home soon.” U.S. forces however, are reinforcing on the ground and have recently dispatched the 4th Infantry Division from Kuwait to Iraq.

U.S. forces distributed playing cards that show the 52 most wanted Iraqi war criminals including Saddam Hussein.

The U.S. also promised cash rewards for information leading to the capture of Saddam Hussein, leaders of his regime and weapons of mass destruction.

Anarchy in the capital city of Baghdad continued with looting by Baghdad citizens. Public institutions, U.N. buildings, and embassies including the Korean embassy were ransacked and rioters also plundered most hospitals of Baghdad, stealing medical equipment and medicine. Coalition forces stated on Sunday that they would commence policing work to restore order on the streets by enforcing curfews and other measures.

Meanwhile, U.S. Marines commenced their advance into Tikrit, hometown of Saddam Hussein where the last Iraqi resistance has formed. “Some forces have already penetrated Tikrit without much resistance, and it will most likely collapse soon,” reported CNN.

Ja-Ryong Koo bonhong@donga.com