The New York Times is reporting that the Bush administration has decided to let the Kurdish region of Iraq remain semi-autonomous. The Sunday Herald in Scotland is suggesting that there might be a connection between the U.S. position and reports that Kurdish fighters were the ones who captured Saddam Hussein three weeks ago. Kurdish media as well as news outlets in Britain, Scotland and Australia have reported that Hussein was tracked down by a team of Kurds and then handed Hussein over to the U.S. Since Hussein’s capture, Kurdish leaders have greatly increased its calls for more autonomy and power over the city of Kirkuk. Over the last week violent clashes broke out in Kirkuk between Kurdish and Arab students and between Kurds and Turkemans.

British Troops May Be In Iraq Until 2007
British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a surprise visit to Basra on Sunday where he signalled that British troops would remain in Iraq until 2006. And today British foreign secretary Jack Straw said British troops could be in Iraq until 2007.