Iraqi women, children march against (Iraqi) "terrorists"

Reuters | 12/05/03

[kattracks]

BAGHDAD, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Up to 1,000 Iraqis, including children orphaned by the war that ousted Saddam Hussein, marched through Baghdad on Friday to denounce guerrilla attacks and show support for U.S.-led occupation forces.

Carrying banners blaming Saddam loyalists for "terrorism", the demonstrators marched down one of Baghdad's busiest streets before gathering in Firdos Square, where a statue of Saddam was famously pulled down as U.S. troops drove into the heart of the capital in April.

"We organised this demonstration because the terrorists now kill a lot of people," said Abdul Aziz Al-Yassiri, coordinator of the Iraqi Democratic Trend, a recently formed social group.

"They kill the children, kill women, kill the people, kill the police. They want to stop our plan for a democratic system."

It was the second time in two weeks that demonstrators gathered in significant numbers to back U.S. attempts to rebuild the country and denounce guerrilla activities. Another march is planned for next Friday, the Muslim holy day.

Most of those who marched were Shi'ite Muslims, who make up about 60 percent of Iraq's population but were discriminated against under Saddam, a Sunni.

Several dozen young children holding flowers marched at the head of the demonstration while women accompanying them held up placards reading "Terrorism blocks the future for children" and "Children -- innocent victims of terror".

At least four Iraqis were killed on Friday in a bomb blast on a busy street in eastern Baghdad. One U.S. soldier was also killed in the explosion, which occurred as a crowded public bus and a U.S. military convoy were passing each other.

Iraqi police and ordinary civilians have increasingly become victims of insurgents, who strike almost every day.

The Iraq Body Count, an Anglo-American non-governmental group, estimates that as many as 9,800 Iraqi civilians have died since U.S. forces invaded to overthrow Saddam.

Over the same period, more than 500 U.S. and coalition soldiers have been killed either in direct military combat, in accidents or at the hands of anti-coalition guerrilla fighters.

In the seven months since Washington declared major combat over in the country, the U.S.-led civilian authority has struggled to set up structures to usher in democracy, a task complicated by the dogged insurgency.

"No mercy to those who have no mercy towards people," screamed one protester on Friday. "We will go ahead with our democratic process despite these acts."

[kattracks]

he's no worse than what we have right here in this country at the head of the alaphabet chanels, and our Liberal rags.

[highlander_UW]

If the Iraqis consider them terrorists, who is Reuters to tell them they're wrong?! What arrogance...or is it ignorance?

[AmericanInTokyo]

The continuing (Psy) War in Iraq-bump.

[kattracks]

It's anti-Americanism.

[talleyman]

Great post - this will undoubtedly be the lead story on cBS tonight... </sarcasm>

[kattracks]

Uh huh, just don't hold your breath.

[cookcounty]

Carrying banners blaming Saddam loyalists for "terrorism", the demonstrators marched...........

.....according to "reporters" from Reuters.

I hope you will join me in always putting quotation marks around "reporters" when it has to do with with Reuters. Otherwise we might be making value judgements about their work, and that wouldn't be right.

[TexKat]

Iraqi men attend a demonstration calling for an end to terrorist attacks against civilians at Firdos square, central Baghdad, Friday Dec. 5, 2003. Participants carried banners reading 'No to terrorism' and expressed support for the U.S.-led coalition that is governing Iraq. The 14th of July mosque is seen on background. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)

Iraqi youths hold olive branches and carry banners during a demonstration calling for an end to terrorist attacks against civilians, in downtown Baghdad, Friday Dec. 5, 2003. Some participants carried banners reading 'No to terrorism' and expressed support for the U.S.-led coalition. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)

Iraqi youths, carrying banners, demonstrate in downtown Baghdad, calling for an end to terrorist attacks against civilians, Friday Dec. 5, 2003. Participants carried banners reading 'No to terrorism' and expressed support for the U.S.-led coalition that is governing Iraq. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)

Iraqi children hold flowers and pro-US Provisional Authority placards. About 1,000 Iraqis, mostly Shiite Muslims, demonstrated in central Baghdad to condemn terrorism and military strikes against Iraqis and the US 'liberation' forces.(AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye)

[kattracks]

There is a daily death count article published by AP. That's all the article is dedicated to. I see it everyday, but will never post it.

[cookcounty]

Now that's odd. In the signs in the picture, there are no quotation marks around "Terrorism," but the headline has very clear quotation marks, prominently displayed. Now why is that?

[kattracks]

Because the people carrying the signs,who are being terrorized, don't have an agenda.

[cake_crumb]

Leave it to Rooters to try to turn a pro-coalition, anti-Saddamite terrorist rally into a Quagmire story.

[cake_crumb]

"Dang -- the quotation marks are in the original title? Unbelievable."

Rooters refuses to call them terrorists because "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter."

[cake_crumb]

Fox reported it...

[js1138]

Just scanning the article, I didn't see the negative. I think I read it the way most people would and found it to be positive for Americans.

Now to go back and really read it.

[kattracks]

Unless one of the "freedom fighters" happens to threaten a Rooters reporter.

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

WOW! This is excellent!

[Marysecretary]

Good for them, and to think a year ago they would have been arrested and murdered or tortured for doing this. THAT is what freedom is all about and THAT is why we are in Iraq. We got rid of the biggest weapons of Mass Destruction, Saddam and boys.