The attempt on al-Hashimi's life Saturday appeared to be well planned and almost certainly the work of Saddam Hussein loyalists seeking to disrupt the U.S.-sponsored political process for Iraq that envisages a new constitution and a democratically elected government before the end of next year.
Besides attacking American troops, insurgents have also targeted Iraqis cooperating with the U.S.-led coalition and members of new, U.S.-backed police forces.
Late last month, a Shiite Muslim leader " Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim " was assassinated in a bomb blast in the holy city of Najaf south of Baghdad. The attack, widely thought to be the work of Saddam loyalists, killed at least 85 people.
Al-Hakim's Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the biggest anti-Saddam opposition group, was represented in the 25-member Governing Council.
The attack on al-Hashimi underlines the risk faced by Iraqis who cooperate with the American-led occupation in high profile positions.
She is a Shiite Muslim and a career diplomat, who led the Iraqi delegation to the New York donor's conference for Iraq this summer. She holds a doctorate in modern literature and a bachelor's degree in law.
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U.S. SHOW OF FORCE .
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On Saturday morning, soldiers patrolled through Tikrit and the eastern banks of the Tigris river, site of a deadly attack Thursday by Saddam loyalists. The patrol began late Friday and ended early Saturday. Intended as a show of force, it was also an attempt to flush out pockets of armed resistance in the area.
"We took a tank company and a Bradley company,"" Lt. Col. Steve Russell, the 1st Battalion commander of the 4th Infantry Division's 22nd Infantry Regiment, told The Associated Press. "We wanted to send a message."".
The U.S. troops usually patrol in smaller vehicles but this operation came after a series of attacks Thursday described by the military as some of the fiercest and best coordinated since American forces arrived in the Tikrit area in April.
