Posted on 05/16/2004 12:42:50 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
FALLUJAH, Iraq -
A former Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)-era general appointed by the Americans to lead an Iraqi security force in the rebellious Sunni stronghold of Fallujah urged tribal elders and sheiks Sunday to support U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq (news - web sites).
Retired Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abdul-Latif rose to prominence after nearly monthlong battles last month between the Marines monthlong battles in April between the Marines and insurgents hunkered down in Fallujah's neighborhoods.
"We can make them (Americans) use their rifles against us or we can make them build our country, it's your choice," Latif told a gathering of more than 40 sheiks, city council members and imams in an eastern Fallujah suburb.
The siege of this city of 200,000 people, located about 40 miles west of Baghdad, was lifted when top Marine officers announced the creation of the Fallujah Brigade — a force made exclusively of former Iraqi army officers.
The Marines withdrew from Fallujah into the rural hinterland and far-flung suburbs, allowing the Iraqi force to take up positions and start patrols inside the city. The brigade is expected to number about 1,500 men, many of them conscripts or noncommissioned officers under Saddam.
They are expected to fight the guerrillas, although some of the same insurgents who fought the Marines last month will likely join the brigade.
On Sunday, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment provided security for the gathering in Kharma.
Latif, 66, a native of Baghdad, urged the elders to talk freely, citing the Muslim holy book, the Quran.
"The Quran says we should sit together, discuss and make a decision, but let it be the right decision," the silver-haired Latif — a slim figure wearing a blue shirt and dark blue tie and pants — told the sheiks.
The venue offered a rare insight into Latif's interactions and influence over Fallujah elders. As he spoke, many sheiks nodded in approval and listened with reverence to his words. Later, they clasped his hands and patted Latif on the back.
Latif, speaking in Arabic to the sheiks, defended the Marines and the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
"They were brought here by the acts of one coward who was hunted out of a rathole — Saddam — who disgraced us all," Latif said. "Let us tell our children that these men (U.S. troops) came here to protect us.
"As President Bush (news - web sites) said, they did not come here to occupy our land but to get rid of Saddam. We can help them leave by helping them do their job, or we can make them stay ten years and more by keeping fighting."
Lt. Col. Brennan Byrne, the Marine battalion commander, said, "No truer words have been spoken here today than those by General Latif."
Latif also told the insurgents to "stop doing stupid things."
"Those bullets that are fired will not get the Americans out, let them finish their job here so that they can return to their country," Latif said.
"Our country is precious, stop allowing the bad guys to come from outside Iraq to destroy our country."
Latif, a former military intelligence officer said to have been imprisoned by Saddam and exiled, praised the former Iraqi army.
"The army used to be honest until Saddam made the men turn into beasts, take bribes, betray their own country," he said. "The real army is the army that works hard to serve its own citizens, with courage and strength."
After the meeting, Latif told The Associated Press that the situation in Fallujah has greatly improved, that "winds of peace" prevail in the city and the people that fled the fighting have returned. He would not elaborate on the size or current activities of the Fallujah Brigade.
"Let us speak about peace," Latif said in English. "Fallujah was an open wound, now it's healing."
Members of the new Falluja Brigade celebrate with the Iraqi flag, after taking over from U.S. troops in Fallujah, Iraq (news - web sites), Tuesday, May 4, 2004. The Iraqi force of up to 1,100 is to be led by Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abdul-Latif. Many of the fighters are former soldiers and the force includes several who are believed to have fought against the Marines. (AP Photo/Abdul Kader Saadi)
I've read the Imams want Sadr out of the way. Maybe sanity is starting to take hold in Iraq. We can only hope so.
now if sanity can come cbs.
Geez...someone please tell me why this isn't read on every 'major media' outlet and every printed news paper???? HHHMMM...
well this is very nice of Latif. Maybe we can take up a collection to get him a new fancy Republican Guard red beret.
iraq is in chaos don't you know. and its not just the liberal media - I listen to Bob Grant and Michael Savage every day, they also say "iraq is in chaos". unless they see racks of bombs falling from B52s, its "chaos".
ping to forward to ventura county star
I had real doubts about the 'Fallujah gamble' to calm down that place and use ex-Saddam generals to help. It sounds like it paid off though. It's been a while since we heard about fighting in Fallujah now. That's really great because urban fighting in that hellhole was killing a lot of troops.
Maybe I'm just being optimistic, but it seems like the military situation has drastically improved over the last month. Fallujah is under control, and Al-Sadr has been marginalized in Baghdad/Najaf/Karbala. No-one wants him around the holy cities, including the Iranians. Al-Sadr's militia has become cannon-fodder and he probably doesn't have many volunteers these days. If only Najaf and Karbala's Shiites would take matters in their own hands and drive Al-Sadr out. I think it's coming because otherwise there will be a full-scale assault on these places which will be bloody on both sides. The stand-off situation will have to break soon, and I think the coalition holds the better cards in the overall situation.
All of this has a) been overshadowed by the Abu Graib scandals and b)been ignored by the MSM in general because it means things are going better in Iraq and that doesn't fit their 'Vietnam' scenario. The Bush Administration must start getting their message out better!!!
Wise man. The sooner things are peaceful and stable the sooner our men can come home.
Well maybe that's not such a good idea. The 60 Minutes version would be edited down to the part about the U.S. staying in Iraq for 10 years. The fact of the matter is that the Communist BS Network and their like would not consider this as newsworthy since it doesn't hurt Bush. That is the filter that all news is being processed through these days. We are just going to have to tough it out and get the word out ourselves.
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May not be the best idea. He's said nice things at certain times, when in the presence of American military, and some really unfortunate things at other times. He denied that there were any foreign fighters in Fallujah, for instance.
This raised my eyebrow.
Arabs are absolutely devoid of any sense of what PR or the lack of it can or can't do for you. They are their own worst enemy in that regard as well as many other 'regards.'
I do wish them well though, and I hope they realize that while as imperfect as any Nation is, we are there first, last and best hope. I do think they're realizing that too, and they must be aware that the American people are beginning to wonder if they're worth it, and I think they know that they can't afford that conclusion to be drawn at NO! So, God please unharden the hearts and sharpen the wits of the boys with the ugly flag.
"stop doing stupid things."
The truth is spoken-imagine that. Wonder if the insurgents are smart enough to listen.
Someone gave him a talking to after the comments he made a couple of days ago about refusing to disarm insurgents.
The final battles are coming in Iraq.
If this guy, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abdul-Latif, can put the lid on Fallujah the Iranian stooge Al-Sadr is next.
Al-Sistani is pressuring Al-Sadr to cut the crap.
I worry far less about the conflicts on the field of battle in Iraq and Afghanistan than the mainstream media, which has proven will stop at nothing, including outright falsehoods, to weaken President Bush and install a Democrat, any Democrat, as president.
With all the stuff going on in the world, today's talking heads filled the air with the prison abuse story, for the 3rd straight week.
And nobody died.
This is big news and a positive development. It is more important what Latif says at this meeting than what he said to some journalists.
Now we have to see it produce some results.
I hope his words are sincere. They sound sincere and that is certainly my hope. Perhaps this man Latif is a real patriot - not like those fanatics who are willing to destroy any hope for Iraq just to give the U.S. a black eye.
datum.
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