U.S. general says Iraqi insurgents are forcing followers to commit suicide bombings

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FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) Iraqi insurgents appear to be forcing some followers to commit suicide car bombings by tying or binding them inside explosive-carrying vehicles, the commanding general of allied security forces in Baghdad said Wednesday.

''In one case, Iraqi police found pieces of a car after it exploded which included an accelerator pedal that had the suicide bomber's foot still taped to it, so that you can't chicken out and leave,'' Maj. Gen. William G. Webster told reporters in a video conference from Baghdad.

Webster, commander of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division and the 30,000-troop task force securing the Iraqi capital, said several reports of bound attackers could indicate slipping support for the insurgency.

''We think it means the insurgents had less support and less ability to conduct these operations,'' he said. ''But we're not willing to hang our hats on it or declare victory any time soon.''

Attacks using multiple car bombs intensified in Iraq after the country's new Shiite-led government was announced April 28. Webster said attacks in Baghdad have declined since U.S. troops and Iraqi forces launched Operation Lightning last month.

The counterinsurgency campaign has allowed allied forces to seize control of all entrances to Baghdad and has resulted in nearly 900 arrests, which Webster said included many would-be suicide bombers.

Webster said he has received ''five or more'' reports since April of car bombers seen bound inside their vehicles, as if forced into suicide.

''We've found some people who were literally tied or taped to the steering wheel, reported by Iraqis who saw them just before detonation with their hands tied to the steering wheel,'' he said.

While he anticipates more surges in violence, Webster said insurgents are ''not capable of sustaining it for very long.'' Still, his forces are planning ''extraordinary security'' for three high-profile events.

A nationwide vote on an Iraqi constitution is planned for October, with another round of national elections following in December. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government says it wants to begin the trial of Saddam Hussein within the next two months.

Webster said his troops will be gathering intelligence and conducting raids to stop anyone ''who will want to free Saddam, or in some cases folks who may want to kill Saddam before the trial takes place.''