The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Washington - The United States is strengthening its military presence in Iraq to 150,000, ordering more soldiers to the country and extending the stay of some combat units already stationed there. That will represent the highest level of U.S. troops in Iraq since the start of the war in March 2003. Pentagon officials say the increased troop level is needed to ensure security while candidates campaign for Iraq's first elections since the downfall of Saddam Hussein's regime. The elections are scheduled for Jan. 30, 2005. Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke out Thursday against holding a second runoff election in Ukraine, saying it would accomplish nothing. Putin made the comments after meeting with outgoing Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma at an airport near Moscow. "A re-vote could be conducted a third, a fourth, 25th time, until one side gets the results it needs," Putin said sarcastically. Ramallah, West Bank - Ten people have qualified as candidates in the race to become Yasser Arafat's successor, Palestinian election officials said Thursday. Elections for the top job in the Palestinian Authority will be held Jan. 9, almost two months after Arafat's death at the age of 75. The candidates include perceived front-runner Mahmoud Abbas, who has been the interim leader of the Palestinians since Arafat died.
