Wednesday, June 23, 2004

BAGHDAD (BP)--With June 30 looming as the target date for Iraq's interim government to assume control of the country, a Christian worker with a heart for Iraqis is asking Southern Baptists to pray.

"Several Iraqi men were killed this morning in Baghdad as they left their homes to go to work for American companies," the worker said June 21. "This is a continuing effort to destabilize the government and any companies working with the coalition."

The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously June 8 in support of the plan to restore Iraqi sovereignty. The Organization of Islamic States endorsed Iraq's interim government June 15. But extremists who want to control the country -- and its vast oil reserves -- are expected to intensify their efforts to derail a peaceful transition to Iraqi democracy.

That may mean more car bombings and street murders targeting westerners and the Iraqis who are cooperating with them.

'ESPECIALLY TROUBLING'

"As we get closer to the turnover in government at the end of this month, these kinds of hostilities may happen more and more," the worker said. "The incident this morning is especially troubling to us because one of our national workers lives in the same neighborhood where the men were killed. More...