Untitled Document

News Stories - Security in Iraq

The sprawling headquarters of the Coalition Provisional Administration, sitting on the west bank of the Tigris, escaped from Tuesday night's attack unscathed. There are some signs that security in central Baghdad has been stepped up. Late on Tuesday night, a military checkpoint appeared on one of the main roads in the city's business and commercial district. On Wednesday morning, a higher profile US army presence was on the streets outside the fortified hotels where most foreigners stay. But there's a limit to what the occupying powers can do. To close down Baghdad with endless checkpoints and a large number of troops on the streets would not only provide attackers with a greater range of softer targets, it would also make the city feel yet more occupied. Better intelligence, rather than a heavy-handed security presence, is what the coalition needs most.

- vocabulary:

sprawling: covering a large area
Coalition Provisional Administration: The US-led administration in Iraq - something that is provisional has been arranged for the present time but will be changed in the future
unscathed: undamaged
stepped up: increased
checkpoint: a place where traffic has to stop and be checked

higher profile: more obvious

fortified: fortified buildings are strengthened, to resist attack

the occupying powers: countries which have taken power in Iraq

softer targets: places which are easier to attack

heavy-handed: rough and thoughtless