BAGHDAD, March 19 (Xinhuanet) -- A whole year has passed since the breakout of the US-led war on Iraq, the country now looks like a different kind of war zone which is likely to be bloodier.

    On March 20 last year, the United States and its staunchest allyBritain launched the war and three weeks later, after former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his regime were toppled, the Americansannounced their smashing victory.

    However, the past 12 months gradually turned this victory into aliving nightmare for the US administration.

    In addition to dozens of political, economic and security problems, many insurgents launched attacks without revealing their identities and supporter.

    Iraqis believed that some attackers were remnants of the former regime, religious fanatics and patriots who refused to accept the occupation.

    The announced death toll of the American soldiers has nearly reached 670 until March 19, 2004, however, Iraqis believed that thereal number is much higher and accused the American authorities of lying.

    In the second year after the war, the Americans want to correct some of their mistakes by re-establishing Iraq's defense ministry, the Iraqi army and the police force to facilitate the transfer of power to Iraqis by June 30.

    Being accused of cooperating with the Americans, the new Iraqi police force has also become the target of terrorist attacks.

    Lieutenant General Ahmed Kadhum, head of the police force, said that the death toll in the Iraqi police force had reached about 600, but the Iraqi police would continue preserving security and cracking down criminals and terrorists.

    Some observers complained that the Americans left the borders open to let the terrorists easily enter the country.

    Recent reports said the Americans are trying to cooperate with countries sharing borders with Iraq to strictly control the border areas and starve the terrorists by cutting their supplies to permanently eliminate them.

    There is no sign which shows that the next year would be safer than the one just passed and time will be the judge of that. Enditem