WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- E-mail indicates U.S. officials initially thought wrong helicopter batteries were shipped to Taiwan, not parts for ballistic missiles, officials said.
U.S. government officials familiar with communications between the two countries said at some point between August 2006 -- when Taiwan received the shipment -- and last week -- when the United States learned of the error -- Taiwan opened the packages and noticed that the items inside included nose cones used with U.S. intercontinental ballistic missiles, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
"Last week they said they didn't think they could destroy these items and said it was warhead-related material," said the official, speaking to the Post anonymously because the incident is under investigation. "That was the first time there was any indication we weren't dealing with a battery. All the alarm bells went off at that point."
After Taiwanese officials reported four packages they received from the U.S. military weren't the expected helicopter batteries, U.S. officials suggested Taiwan dispose of them, the official said.
U.S. military officials said Wednesday Defense Logistics Agency workers apparently did not determine the materials sent to Taiwan were classified because unclassified inventory codes were on the outside of the packages, indicating they contained batteries.
Afghan munitions supplier suspended
NEW YORK, March 27 (UPI) -- A fledgling company identified as the main supplier of munitions for Afghanistan has been suspended from U.S. government contracting.
The U.S. Army took action after an investigation into questionable activities by AEY Inc., of Miami Beach, Fla., including the reported furnishing of 40-year-old ammunition in decomposing packaging for Afghan troops and police, The New York Times said Thursday.
The Times said much of the ammunition supplied under a $300 million contract came from aging stockpiles determined to be unreliable and were made in China, a possible violation of U.S. law and a reason cited for the suspension.
The company's president, Efraim E. Diveroli, also was accused of misleading the Army by saying the the munitions were Hungarian, the Times said.
Clashes in Kut, Iraq, kill 42
BAGHDAD, March 27 (UPI) -- Violence raged around Baghdad and in southern Iraq, where clashes between Iraqi security forces and rebel militia members killed at least 100 people.
Fighting between Iraqi forces and Shiite militia in the southeastern Iraqi city of Kut Thursday killed 42 people and wounded 17, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official told CNN.
U.S. military officials said militants killed two members of the U.S.-backed Sons of Iraq in Salaheddin province.
Fighting in oil-rich Basra and other Shiite regions persisted Thursday between Iraqi security forces and militias such as hard-line Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and his and his Mehdi fighters. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has been overseeing the operation, set a Saturday deadline for militants to surrender their weapons.
Since the fighting began Tuesday, more than 100 people have died in Basra, Baghdad, Hilla, Kut and Diwaniya.
Also, about 30 Iraqi militants were killed Wednesday when coalition airplanes and helicopters fired on gunmen in Babylon, an Iraqi security source told KUNA, the Kuwaiti news agency.
Meanwhile, Iraqi forces shut down al-Kathimiya, a Shiite area in northern Baghdad, when U.S. forces reported at least 16 rockets were fired into the Green Zone. Only residents may enter al-Khathmiya, KUNA said.
Environment, roads topics at Clinton rally
WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- The environment, the U.S. infrastructure and science were the big topics Hillary Clinton discussed at what was billed as a small-money rally.
Clinton, speaking at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall in Washington, said the United States should undertake a massive energy independence program as she touted her plan to create 5 million green-collar jobs in the next decade, The New York Times reported.
As president, Clinton said she'd also "end President (George) Bush's war on science."
But it was senator from New York's comments that the United States' system of roads, bridges and levees need to be rebuilt that impressed Washington resident Kim Ross, who said the topic isn't discussed enough, the Times said.
Clinton was impressive because she articulated specific points, Ross said, adding she's still undecided about who she'd like to see win the Democratic presidential nomination.
"I'd support anyone who can beat a Republican, even if it was Socks the cat," Ross said, naming the Clintons' White House pet.
The event sold all of its 2,500 tickets, Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said. The minimum contribution was $25, with the best seats going for at least $500.
Teen held in Alaska slashing deaths
SITKA, Alaska, March 27 (UPI) -- An Alaska youth was being held in a wild knife attack at his grandparents' home that left four people dead and a fifth injured, authorities said.
Jason Abbott, 18, of Sitka was arraigned Wednesday on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, the Daily Sitka Sentinel reported.
Police officers called to the scene Tuesday reportedly found Abbott standing in front of the house with a 5-inch knife and used a stun gun to subdue him, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
Three of the victims were found stabbed inside the Sitka home of Abbott's grandparents, while two were outside, police said. Three died at the scene and one died later at a hospital. The fifth victim was hospitalized in serious condition. The victims' names had not been released.
Witnesses reported seeing Abbott's grandmother, Alice Abbott covered with blood outside the house. She and her husband, John, also took in boarders.
Police said the attack occurred a day after Abbott was released from jail on a domestic violence assault charge, the newspaper reported.
