Posted on 04/23/2008 11:17:57 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
KIRKUK, Iraq - One hundred twenty-two detainees were released April 21 in the Ta'Mim Province of northeastern Iraq.
The detainees were released as part of national reconciliation efforts. This is the largest single detainee release to date in the region.
"This is a victory for the national and provincial judges across multiple provinces who are working together to find solutions in an effort to help bring an end to the fighting and establishing peace and stability to the region," said Col. David Paschal, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division commander.
More than 400 family members attended the ceremony at the Kirkuk Police Academy. Many local and provincial leaders also attended this ceremony. Iraq's Rule of Law Judges Nauman and Farouk, who were responsible for initiating, reviewing and determining the release of the detainees, also attended.
Kirkuk Provincial Director of Police, Gen. Thaker, urged the detainees to take this opportunity to better themselves, re-join society and to ask God and their families for forgiveness.
"There are no second chances," Provincial Gov. Abdulrahman Mustafa Feta-eh said.
The 122 men were reminded their freedom was due to the efforts of the Iraqi Security Forces, the Coalition forces and the Government of Iraq working together.
"The fighting must stop. Reconciliation begins now," Col. David Paschal said.
The ceremony concluded with tearful reunions between family members, many embracing, singing and dancing.
(Excerpt) Read more at blackanthem.com ...
Iraq continues towards reconciliation
**********************EXCERPT**************************
Nouri al-Maliki has fulfilled another demand of the US Congress and the Sunnis in Iraq towards national reconciliation. The Baghdad government began releasing thousands of detainees accused of all but the worst of crimes during the 2003-2008 time period, most of them Sunnis. The release further strengthens the bonds forged with the Sunnis over the past several months and enhanced by Maliki’s crackdown on Shi’ite militias:
It didn’t mention if they were alive upon release.
fyi
See the photos at the Blackanthem link.
More blow-up boys back on the streets...yeah, that's a plan.
Israel does the same routinely...& you see how well it’s worked out for us. /s
Don’t take lessons from Israel on this.
Look for death and destruction on the rise.
That may well be but this is how counter-insurgencies end -- with prisoner releases. Particularly effective in tribal societies where releasing an important person buys a certain amount of Good Will.
I would think that the foot partols will be knocking on doors to check on these former prisoners.
“This is a victory for the national and provincial judges across multiple provinces who are working together to find solutions in an effort to help bring an end to the fighting and establishing peace and stability to the region,” said Col. David Paschal, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division commander.”
Either the Colonel is on drugs or wasn’t saying this with a straight face. Spinning this as a “victory?” Yeah just ask the Israelis how often this idiocy works.
And when he goes to the mosque on Friday, if the imam doesn't spew anti-US rhetoric, his motivation to 'kill the occupier' will no longer exist...hopefully.
Your thoughts where inclusive in my statement. The tribal sheik seeking to become filthy rich down the pike due to oil revenues etc., just may tell his folks to tar and feather the *sshole they bow before on the prayer rugs that issues the chants, it he tries to rile up the folks.
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