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Violence ebbing. Wealth returning. Can this be Iraq?
The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 01/15/07 | Peter Beaumont

Posted on 07/14/2007 7:48:46 PM PDT by Pokey78

The clamour is growing in America and Britain for troops to be brought home. Violence grips large parts of the country. But elsewhere the green shoots of recovery are showing through the rubble


The cycle of murder and vengeance grinds quickly in Iraq. Last week, in the western city of Tal Afar, it was all over in 10 minutes.

No one saw how Jamil Salem Jamil, aged 19, arrived. If he was driven to his target, then the car stayed out of sight. A slim Sunni youth, with a thick crop of black hair above his elongated features, he walked down the alley to the house where Khosheed Abbas, a policeman, his fiancee, Mariam Azzideen, and their families, all Shias, were sitting down to a simple wedding feast.

Violence ebbing. Wealth returning. Can this be Iraq?

The clamour is growing in America and Britain for troops to be brought home. Violence grips large parts of the country. But elsewhere the green shoots of recovery are showing through the rubble

The cycle of murder and vengeance grinds quickly in Iraq. Last week, in the western city of Tal Afar, it was all over in 10 minutes.

No one saw how Jamil Salem Jamil, aged 19, arrived. If he was driven to his target, then the car stayed out of sight. A slim Sunni youth, with a thick crop of black hair above his elongated features, he walked down the alley to the house where Khosheed Abbas, a policeman, his fiancee, Mariam Azzideen, and their families, all Shias, were sitting down to a simple wedding feast.

(Excerpt) Read more at observer.guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iraq; oif; progress; talafar

1 posted on 07/14/2007 7:48:48 PM PDT by Pokey78
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To: Pokey78

A surprisingly balanced and informative article for the Guardian to print.


2 posted on 07/14/2007 7:53:27 PM PDT by Sherman Logan (It's not the heat, it's the stupidity.)
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To: Pokey78

bttt


3 posted on 07/14/2007 7:55:12 PM PDT by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)
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To: Pokey78
A very interesting article, and thanks for posting it.

For the expectation that America may be crumbling over Iraq - and may leave soon - has acted as an accelerant where the violence is worst, leading General David Petraeus, US commander in Iraq, to warn that in the worst areas the summer may see a mini-Tet offensive designed to push US politics over the brink.

Reid, Pelosi, Boxer, and Murtha certainly hope so.

4 posted on 07/14/2007 7:58:50 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Pokey78
Remember when the old media stopped reporting on Afghanistan,it was things stopped blowing up.

As in Afghanistan the old media will soon leave Iraq.

5 posted on 07/14/2007 8:04:06 PM PDT by mdittmar (May God watch over those who serve,and have served,to keep us free)
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To: Pokey78
But ask Iraqis or Americans what the biggest problem is in both Tal Afar and Mosul and they will mention the government of Iraq.

They could also mention the government of the US - those fools in Congress are doing their damndest to lose this war, and they've got to be stopped. And, BTW, I can't believe this is from the "hate America" Guardian - isn't that the outfit that encouraged its readers to write to Americans and urge them to vote for Kerry in '04? Heh. I read some of the replies to that attempt, and ROTFLMAO!

6 posted on 07/14/2007 8:55:46 PM PDT by hsalaw
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To: All
Violence ebbing. Wealth returning. Can this be Iraq? Can this be the MSM?

Wot?

Oh. It's not our MSM.

7 posted on 07/14/2007 10:33:48 PM PDT by WilliamofCarmichael (If modern America's Man on Horseback is out there, Get on the damn horse already!)
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To: WilliamofCarmichael

In the Middle East, when the wealthy families return, you have proof of restoration of national faith.


8 posted on 07/14/2007 10:37:18 PM PDT by txhurl
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To: Pokey78

Surrender quick! Before we win!


9 posted on 07/14/2007 11:05:50 PM PDT by Wil H (So just what IS the Globe's optimum temperature?)
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To: Wil H

Surrender quick! Before we win!

the lib/dems war cry!!!!


10 posted on 07/15/2007 4:51:06 AM PDT by nyyankeefan
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To: mdittmar
Sometimes, I wish I was running the show in Iraq. If I were, I would tell the media that I need that to get on a C130. I would give them a parachute and orders to find Human Rights abuse in China. I would fly them over China and kick them out of the plane. And if they had a problem with it, the Jump Master might forget to tell them to hookup to the static line.

Plenty of Human Rights abuse and worse things then Abu Graib in China. That should keep them busy.

11 posted on 07/15/2007 7:25:06 AM PDT by do the dhue (May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I wont - George S. Patton Jr)
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To: Pokey78

12 posted on 07/15/2007 5:37:43 PM PDT by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
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