Posted on 04/14/2004 2:38:23 PM PDT by Eurotwit
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Many Iraqis expressed relief Wednesday at President Bush (news - web sites)'s willingness to keep U.S. troops in Iraq (news - web sites) — but even some who saw the Americans as a protector of security feared more bloodshed if Washington sends more troops.
Most Iraqis were at first unaware of Bush's remarks, which were made before dawn in Iraq — too late for inclusion in morning newspapers.
The U.S.-funded Al-Iraqiya television station did not broadcast Bush's news conference. However, a news ticker at the bottom of the screen during regular programming highlighted some of his comments, including his rejection of suggestions that Iraq was becoming another Vietnam — a quagmire without a ready exit.
The two main TV stations in the region, Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera, broadcast excerpts of Bush's statements in their morning news broadcasts.
"I was relieved to hear Bush saying that U.S. troops will remain in Iraq because any withdrawal means disaster in my country," said Razzaq Abdel-Zahra, the owner of auto parts shop. "Every militia will try to take control of Iraq. This will lead to a civil war and subsequently Iraq will fall apart."
Bush has told military commanders to be prepared to use "decisive force" against insurgents, and Abdel-Zahra said that will lead to more unrest.
"Violence breeds only violence," he said.
Grocer Hussein Hamid also said he hoped the Americans would stay.
"If the Americans leave Iraq now there will be a security and political vacuum and the country could reach the verge of collapse because every political party and religious sect will try to control the country," he said.
Entifadh Qanbar, spokesman for Ahmed Chalabi, a member of Iraq's U.S.-appointed Governing Council, said sending in more troops is not a solution to the country's problems.
"The solution is to allow broader and more active Iraqi participation in protecting the security of Iraq by creating new security organizations and a new police force equipped with adequate weapons," he said.
Ibrahim al-Qaisi, who owns a clothes shop in Baghdad, was more skeptical about Bush's motives.
"Bush has to crack down in Iraq because he has an occupation force," said al-Qaisi, adding the president's statements were made "for American public opinion. Bush doesn't care about the opinion of the Iraqi people; he wants to convince the Americans to elect him."
At least 87 U.S. troops have been killed this month in battles with insurgents in Fallujah, Shiite militiamen in the south, and gunmen in Baghdad and on its outskirts. That makes it the bloodiest month for Americans since the military entered Iraq.
Bush said he was ready to allow an increase, rather than the planned decrease, in U.S. troop strength.
"Why send more troops to the country?" asked Haidar Taleb, 32, the owner of a Baghdad bakery.
Bush "is in fact in a second Vietnam. ... American soldiers used to come buy bread from here. Now, they are frightened and don't walk in the streets."
You are exactly right.
Well that is part of it but my hunch is that is a small part. The "Cheney voodoo.," as it were, is made of stronger stuff. Disappointment is scarcely the motivation - white knuckeld fear subdues the rascals. Maybe they know he not only inhabits but has mastered that "real world" that they are alway grousing about but that their hand can never quite reach, or perhaps they fear that he might just get out of them just what they are really about, right out of their own mouth and right there on the air and in prime time and,well, just everything. Maybe they are scared to death that he might humiliated them, make fun of them and mock them right to their faces and they will not even know it even as it is happening.
Maybe the experience is just to rich for them. straightforward yet subtle, logical but earthy, sober but witty and with even hints of the wistful - his command of the facts, thought, his mind and language overwhelms them. He all too well knows our measure but is still fond of us. It is like listening to Mozart.
And it would not do to say that he "speaks in paragraphs" - he "speaks in essays." They, of course, speak in sound bites and think not at all.
A mighty mojo indeed.
Hehehe...it is just too funny. I try never to miss it. It always just makes my week. I cannot wait for the VP debates
George sure understands what it is like to be human.
A lot of us don't want to undergo treatments that will save our lives in the long run.
I have the misfortune to be stuck in Jersey (career). My wife and I love reality shows. I remember a few years ago, we were watching the Survivor episodes that took place in the Outback. My wife loved Colby who is a proud Texan. Not just because he was a "hottie", but because he spurned Jerri's advances even though he was single and literally on a deserted island. Several weeks later he had the option to remove his friend from the game and guarantee himself a million dollars because the other contestant was despised. He stuck to his word which meant more to him than a million dollars.
Now we are watching the Apprentice and my wife was rooting for the Montana bred and Boise resident Troy because of his rural character.
We have a 2 1/2 year old son and she wants to move to the Midwest somewhere so that our son can be raised in that type of environment. I agree and maybe we can do it someday.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.