The international community would take part in the commission and serve as a referee between the president and his enemies, according to officials briefed on the offer, which has not been made public.

If options to extend them are exercised, the contracts' value could reach $500 million, according to Army documents obtained by The New York Times from officials briefed on the arrangement.

National Public Radio reports that while his report has not yet been made public officials briefed by him say he recommends releasing most Afghan captives, many of whom were not militants, just individuals rounded up in random sweeps.

Apparently fearing that opponents might try to torpedo the talks, she insisted that officials briefed on their progress take a confidentiality pledge, said lawyers involved.

Even so, military commanders in Baghdad are criticized for not sufficiently supervising the prison systems throughout Iraq, according to officials briefed on the findings.

Sanitation workers, correction officers, park workers and clerical workers are among those facing layoffs before the end of the year, said officials briefed on the plan.

Yet year after year, according to officials briefed on the program, the plans were never completely shelved.

Many of the details had been disclosed before by officials briefed on interviews with the crew during and after their 11 days that the Americans were held in China.

Four days of killing in hamlets in a remote area of Cauca Province left up to 100 dead, according to provincial officials briefed by village leaders who escaped.

One official briefed by Ratner's company said: "When things were going south, Bruce was very nervous.