Iraqi President Denies Insurgents Contacted

28 June 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said today that the Iraqi government is not in contact with insurgents in Iraq, adding that if U.S. forces are negotiating with insurgents, that is their decision.

Meanwhile, a suicide car bomber killed an Iraqi lawmaker and three other people in northern Baghdad today.

Also today, a U.S. soldier was killed and one wounded in a suicide bomb attack in Balad, north of the capital.

Another suicide bomber reportedly blew himself up in a hospital in Mussayib, south of the capital, killing three people and wounding others.

Five people were killed at around nine others wounded in one of three car bomb blasts in Ba'qubah, north of Baghdad.

Meanwhile, U.S. and Iraqi forces are continuing an anti-insurgency offensive in western Iraq.

(compiled from agency reports)

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