Once more we hear about the death of Zarqawi. Supposedly, he was identified by fingerprints. Supposedly. My skepticism remains set on "maximum".

"This time for sure, Rocky!" -- Bulwinkle Moose

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-06-08T093054Z_01_L02782849_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ.xml

Al-Qaeda's Zarqawi killed in Iraq
Thu Jun 8, 2006 5:31am ET

By Mariam Karouny

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, blamed for the beheading of foreign captives and the death of hundreds in suicide bombings, has been killed in a raid north of Baghdad, Iraq's prime minister said on Thursday.

Jordanian-born Zarqawi, who had sworn loyalty to Osama bin Laden, had come to symbolize the radical Islamic insurgency against U.S. occupation in which thousands had been killed. His campaign is also believed to have played a major role in inflaming Sunni-Shi'ite tensions in the country.

U.S. officials in Iraq hailed his killing, but warned that Zarqawi's followers still posed a security threat to the Iraq government.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Zarqawi's death was a blow against al Qaeda everywhere.

"Today Zarqawi has been terminated," Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced at a televised news conference attended by the top U.S. commander in Iraq, General George Casey, and other senior officials.

"Every time a Zarqawi appears we will kill him," Maliki said. "We will continue confronting whoever follows his path. It is an open war between us."

Casey said the body of Zarqawi, who had a $25 million U.S. bounty on his head, had been identified and that details of his death would be revealed later on Thursday.

Maliki, who had been desperately in need of a success to bolster his authority, said seven Zarqawi aides were also killed in the raid in the city of Baquba 65 km (40 miles) north of the capital.