Top Story USA

01 March 2007

US army secretary quits over row

In a surprise move US Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey abruptly stepped down amid a row over the poor treatment of wounded US soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

As the Bush administration struggled to cope with the critical reports in the US media, Harvey fired Gen. George W. Weightman, in charge of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in response to substandard conditions at the hospital.

Meanwhile Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley has taken temporary charge of Walter Reed.

It was reported that some of the soldiers lived in dilapidated buildings infested with rodents, mice and cockroaches.

Mr Harvey's resignation was announced by Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

"I am disappointed that some in the army have not adequately addressed the seriousness of the situation pertaining to outpatient care at Walter Reed," Mr Gates said.

"Some have shown too much defensiveness and have not shown enough focus on digging into and addressing the problems."

“Our wounded soldiers and their families have sacrificed much and they deserve the best we can offer,” said Gates

Colombia political scandal widens

Colombian prosecutors have ordered the arrest of the father of an ex-minister for alleged involvement in a kidnapping.

Lisa Nowak charged with Kidnapping

Lisa Nowak, the US astronaut who drove from Texas to Florida to confront a woman she thought was a love rival, has been charged with attempted kidnapping