Iraq attacks rattle White House

Officials fear potential diplomatic and policital fallout

By Peter Slevin
THE WASHINGTON POST

WASHINGTON, June 20 — Inside the Bush administration, where top officials resolutely emphasize postwar progress in Iraq while playing down the setbacks, the rising American death toll and the increasing number of attacks on U.S. troops is causing increasing worry.

THE DEATH of a U.S. soldier yesterday near Baghdad brought to nine the number of troops killed in Iraq this month in a string of sporadic rocket and sniper attacks. Fifty-four Americans have died in accidents or military action since President Bush declared the war ended on May 1, equal to more than one-third of the 139 wartime deaths.