Iraq Notebook
Demonstrators show support for U.S. effort

	LAURENT REBOURS / AP About 1,000 Iraqis demonstrate in Baghdad yesterday, calling for an end to terrorist attacks against civilians. Participants expressed support for the U.S.-led coalition that is governing Iraq.
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BAGHDAD, Iraq — An estimated 1,000 Iraqis marched through Baghdad yesterday to denounce guerrilla attacks and show support for U.S.-led occupation forces.

Carrying banners blaming Saddam loyalists for "terrorism," demonstrators marched down one of Baghdad's busiest streets.

"We organized this demonstration because the terrorists now kill a lot of people," said Abdul Aziz Al-Yassiri, coordinator of the Iraqi Democratic Trend, a recently formed social group.

"They kill the children, kill women, kill the people, kill the police. They want to stop our plan for a democratic system."

It was the second time in two weeks that demonstrators gathered in significant numbers to back U.S. attempts to rebuild the country and denounce guerrilla activities.

Most of those who marched were Shiite Muslims, who make up about 60 percent of the population but were discriminated against under Saddam, a Sunni.

The Iraq Body Count, an Anglo-American nongovernmental group, estimates that as many as 9,800 Iraqi civilians have died since U.S. forces invaded in March to overthrow Saddam.

Bremer expects attacks to increase in coming weeks

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The top U.S. administrator in Iraq predicted yesterday that guerrillas will step up attacks in the next few months in an attempt to thwart a transfer of sovereignty from the occupation authority to a new Iraqi government.

"In the immediate phase ahead of us, between now and the end of June, we will actually see an increase in attacks, because the people who are against us now realize that there's huge momentum behind both the economic and political reconstruction of this country," said L. Paul Bremer.

Bush calls on Baker to deal with Iraq's debt

WASHINGTON — President Bush turned yesterday to a longtime family friend and troubleshooter, former Secretary of State James Baker, to be his personal envoy in seeking an international deal to lower and refinance Iraq's staggering foreign debt.

The war-ravaged country owes an estimated $125 billion to other countries, excluding war reparations.

Baker, 73, who was Bush's main advocate in the 2000 Florida recount battle with Democrat Al Gore, brings a wealth of negotiating experience to the job as well as personal ties with many of the world's leaders.

Baker served President Reagan as White House chief of staff and then as treasury secretary. He was secretary of state under Bush's father.

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