U.S. Forces Seek Hussein Aide in Raid

American troops swooped into a remote Iraqi village aboard Black Hawk helicopters Monday in search of a member of deposed President Saddam Hussein’s inner circle. They didn’t find him but rounded up about 70 suspects.

The main target of the raid about 60 miles northeast of Baghdad is on the U.S. list of 55 most-wanted Iraqis and has gained growing importance as the coalition thins the ranks of Hussein’s top aides, said Army Lt. Col. Mark Young.About 70 men were detained, and some were still being questioned late Monday, a 4th Infantry spokeswoman said.

Elsewhere Monday, three soldiers from the 4th Infantry were wounded after guerrillas ambushed their patrol in Shumayt, just north of Tikrit, spokesman Lt. Col. Bill MacDonald said. All three were in stable condition.

In central Baghdad, two grenades were thrown from a car at U.S. military police manning a checkpoint Monday, witnesses said. The soldiers returned fire, killing one Iraqi.

In New York, diplomats said that Washington is pushing for a Security Council vote on a draft resolution authorizing the U.N. assistance mission in Iraq and endorsing the Iraqi Governing Council. A vote is expected by midweek, the diplomats said.