Iraqi youths, carrying banners, demonstrate in downtown Baghdad on Friday, calling for an end to terrorist attacks against civilians. (AP)
Posted on 12/05/2003 9:52:20 AM PST by 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."
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"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.
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Women and children standing up to Saddam's co-torturers.
Blurry screen alert.
And all the lamestream reporters were busy covering the tragedy of the day, in order NOT to have to report something like this.
The democrats are sad, very sad!
So much rides on these voices.
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.
That's a ridiculous statement that misleads the reader as to the cause of these deaths and the methodology of reporting used by IBC.
From the IBC rationale webpage:
Our methodology requires that specific deaths attributed to US-led military actions are carried in at least two reports from our approved sources. This includes deaths resulting from the destruction of water treatment plants or any other lethal effects on the civilian population. The test for us remains whether the bullet (or equivalent) is attributed to a piece of weaponry where the trigger was pulled by a US or allied finger, or is due to "collateral damage" by either side (with the burden of responsibility falling squarely on the shoulders of those who initiate war without UN Security Council authorization).and from their database page:
This is a human security project to establish an independent and comprehensive public database of media-reported civilian deaths in Iraq resulting directly from military actions by the USA and its allies in 2003. In the current occupation phase this database includes all deaths which the Occupying Authority has a binding responsibility to prevent under the Geneva Conventions and Hague Regulations. This includes civilian deaths resulting from the breakdown in law and order, and deaths due to inadequate health care or sanitation. (emphasis NOT added, bolding on the original)In other words, when terrorists and/or Saddamites and/or their mercenaries blow up an Iraqi police station, the UN building and NGO centers with suicide bombers it's the fault of the coalition and gets recorded, removing any responsibility from the "terrorists." This is in direct contradiction to the Geneva and Hague Conventions cited, since these are illegal acts by the resistance forces (or terrorists) in violation of these accords and the laws of war. The coalition is acting according to these requirements in their attempts to establish and maintain law and order. They are not responsible for unlawful acts they do not commit and to relieve the resistance and terrorist of their moral and legal responsibility for their conduct is irresponsible on the part of IBC.
The moral hypocrisy of this is staggering. There were no tears shed by IBC for the mass murder officially conducted by these same thugs under Saddam's orders before the war and they have none now given these same murderers are responsible now.
This may spread like wildfire!!!
It would be a good idea if they new that a lot of Americans were behind them. Not just our troops.
We could Freep the Press for more coverage of Iraqi's wanting freedom.
Iraqi youths, carrying banners, demonstrate in downtown Baghdad on Friday, calling for an end to terrorist attacks against civilians. (AP)
Let's do Freeperjeopardy. I'll take "filtered news media for $1000"
Iraqi children carry flowers and banner during a protest against terrorism supporting a Coalition Provisional Authority in centre of Baghdad December 5, 2003. REUTERS
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