Bloodiest weekend for US allies

The two South Koreans, believed to be electricity workers, were killed on Sunday when their convoy was shot up outside Saddam’s hometown of Tikrit. Two others were wounded. A day earlier, seven Spanish intelligence agents, two Japanese diplomats and a Colombian civilian working for the US Armed Forces were killed.

The Koreans died on the same highway where two Japanese diplomats were gunned down by the roadside as they bought food at a stall. The diplomats’ Iraqi driver was also killed.

The Japanese, South Korean and Spanish governments now all face serious questions over their commitments to help the US.

President Roh Moo-Hyun has committed to sending more South Korean troops to Iraq, in addition to the 675 medics and military engineers deployed since May. But he has yet to make the politically sensitive decision whether to include 3,000 combat forces.

In Spain, PM Jose Maria Aznar remained defiant despite calls for him to recall the 1,300 Spanish troops helping to control south-central Iraq.

As the dead were flown home to Madrid, Opposition socialists put aside their stiff objections to the war to join the outpouring of sorrow.

Guerrillas opened fire with guns and rocket-propelled grenades on the Spanish convoy, and witnesses said a crowd then descended on the crippled vehicles, kicking the corpses and shouting slogans in support of Saddam.

On Sunday morning, youths were jumping on the wreckage and pulling apart one burned-out car.

In Japan, political analysts say PM Junichiro Koizumi risks a serious blow to his popularity if troops are sent to Iraq and deaths occur, an especially unwelcome prospect with an election for Parliament’s Upper House set for next July. But Koizumi said on Sunday that Japan, which is still reviewing plans to send some forces, would not be deterred. The two US soldiers were killed on Saturday near the Syrian border by attackers firing assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.(Reuters)