World briefs 12/17/03

Germany, France agree to relieve Iraqi debt

BERLIN -- President Bush's special envoy on Iraq won agreement Tuesday from Germany and France, two of the most ardent opponents of the American-led war, to ease Baghdad's huge debt burden. Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III overcame serious misgivings during a meeting with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder about the U.S. exclusion of German firms from Iraqi reconstruction. Baker earlier had what he called "very fruitful" talks with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris. Iraq owes $100 billion to the United States, France, Germany, Japan, Russia and other creditors.

Israeli forces had planned to kill Saddam at funeral

JERUSALEM -- Israeli newspapers published Tuesday the details of Operation Bramble Bush, the plot to assassinate Saddam Hussein with a missile attack at an uncle's funeral. The plot was shelved in 1992 after five commandos were killed by a live missile during training for the mission. Rumors had circulated for years that the training accident was linked to plans to kill Saddam, but military censors suppressed publication until Tuesday. Israeli security officials were furious about the revelation.

U.S. giving loyalists chance to surrender

WASHINGTON -- After Saddam Hussein's capture, the U.S. military temporarily eased up on certain types of raids against the ousted Iraqi president's loyalists to give them a chance to surrender, a top Pentagon general said Tuesday. None had surrendered, to his knowledge, said Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at a Pentagon news conference with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. Former members of Saddam's security forces are thought to make up a significant portion of the armed resistance in Iraq.

-- From wire reports