Gate's Iraq visit coincides with bombings

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates landed in Baghdad today to meet Iraqi officials and preside over Tuesday's change-of-command ceremony as Lt. Gen. Raymond T.  Odierno takes over from Gen. David H. Petraeus as the senior American officer in Iraq.

Mr. Gates' visit happened to coincide with what seems to be three explosions: one at a Ramadan feast in Diyala Province and two in central Baghdad that killed at least 32 people. Sad.

General Petraeus spoke before the blasts in Baghdad and Diyala citing the number of attacks a day was down to 25 from 180 at the height of the violence in June 2007.

[Source: nytimes.com]