Posted on 05/16/2004 12:42:50 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
FALLUJAH, Iraq -
A former Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)-era general appointed by the Americans to lead an Iraqi security force in the rebellious Sunni stronghold of Fallujah urged tribal elders and sheiks Sunday to support U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq (news - web sites).
Retired Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abdul-Latif rose to prominence after nearly monthlong battles last month between the Marines monthlong battles in April between the Marines and insurgents hunkered down in Fallujah's neighborhoods.
"We can make them (Americans) use their rifles against us or we can make them build our country, it's your choice," Latif told a gathering of more than 40 sheiks, city council members and imams in an eastern Fallujah suburb.
The siege of this city of 200,000 people, located about 40 miles west of Baghdad, was lifted when top Marine officers announced the creation of the Fallujah Brigade — a force made exclusively of former Iraqi army officers.
The Marines withdrew from Fallujah into the rural hinterland and far-flung suburbs, allowing the Iraqi force to take up positions and start patrols inside the city. The brigade is expected to number about 1,500 men, many of them conscripts or noncommissioned officers under Saddam.
They are expected to fight the guerrillas, although some of the same insurgents who fought the Marines last month will likely join the brigade.
On Sunday, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment provided security for the gathering in Kharma.
Latif, 66, a native of Baghdad, urged the elders to talk freely, citing the Muslim holy book, the Quran.
"The Quran says we should sit together, discuss and make a decision, but let it be the right decision," the silver-haired Latif — a slim figure wearing a blue shirt and dark blue tie and pants — told the sheiks.
The venue offered a rare insight into Latif's interactions and influence over Fallujah elders. As he spoke, many sheiks nodded in approval and listened with reverence to his words. Later, they clasped his hands and patted Latif on the back.
Latif, speaking in Arabic to the sheiks, defended the Marines and the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
"They were brought here by the acts of one coward who was hunted out of a rathole — Saddam — who disgraced us all," Latif said. "Let us tell our children that these men (U.S. troops) came here to protect us.
"As President Bush (news - web sites) said, they did not come here to occupy our land but to get rid of Saddam. We can help them leave by helping them do their job, or we can make them stay ten years and more by keeping fighting."
Lt. Col. Brennan Byrne, the Marine battalion commander, said, "No truer words have been spoken here today than those by General Latif."
Latif also told the insurgents to "stop doing stupid things."
"Those bullets that are fired will not get the Americans out, let them finish their job here so that they can return to their country," Latif said.
"Our country is precious, stop allowing the bad guys to come from outside Iraq to destroy our country."
Latif, a former military intelligence officer said to have been imprisoned by Saddam and exiled, praised the former Iraqi army.
"The army used to be honest until Saddam made the men turn into beasts, take bribes, betray their own country," he said. "The real army is the army that works hard to serve its own citizens, with courage and strength."
After the meeting, Latif told The Associated Press that the situation in Fallujah has greatly improved, that "winds of peace" prevail in the city and the people that fled the fighting have returned. He would not elaborate on the size or current activities of the Fallujah Brigade.
"Let us speak about peace," Latif said in English. "Fallujah was an open wound, now it's healing."
By George, I think he's got it!
To the people who call the Baathists, jihadis, Iranian/Syrian intelligence agents 'the Resistance', I'd just like to ask: What are they resisting?
The Marines are rested and ready to go back.
Hmm, looks like things are breaking our way. Great! Of course, the press will ignore this.
Pinging good news!
they have different objectives. the iraqi elements are
former special republican guard, secret police, baath party members - they hate the US because the destruction of the regime means they have lost their status of power in the nation.
the foreign elements have other objectives - they want to see the US fail, they understand that iraq is battlefield #1 in the war on terror (our media and the Dems do not).
I too, was concerned about how fallujah was turning out - still am, actually. But these past three weeks, notably the periodic updates from the front that we rcv here on Freep and frontline warblogs, lead me to have a cautious optimism sprinkled with heavy dose of prayer for my warrior kin.
A recent blog entry put it nicely; a Marine involved in fallujah gave an excellent account about the place, the fighting, and provided the much needed context that we freepers know we'll never get from our media. Specifically, he commented on the perception that the Marines might look like they were "eating a bit of crow" - to put a spin on the readjustment of the lines - but that it was a calculated risk in order to give a chance to put an Iraqi face on that battle resolution. I can grudgingly accept that, since it comes from the source... but I still and always pray for their success, victory and safety.
The frustrating part is that, as a Jacksonian, I fall squarely within the belief that we should have gone in and gotten all those dirtbags once they gathered all in one spot - but the tradeoff and the risk might have been a more general conflagration as the terrorists would likely have blown away their own civilians and pinned the blame on us. I know the possibility still exists that we'll have to take the gloves off and really clean house - this is war after all - but our guys on the front know what they're doing.
J
Thanks, NormsRevenge. That's the most encouraging thing I've seen in a while.
I love good news pings.
Thank you hobson. :)
No self-respecting Freeper enjoys good news.
It is the bad news threads that garner 500 replies in an hour!
Really? Hmmm. I thought it was the
first Gen. we "tried out", then we
removed like the next day. And put
Latif in his place.
No?
LOL!
Ain't that the truth?
LOL!
If this general spoke out against the U.S. troops? At LEAST 300 replies... good news? can hear the crickets chirping...
That's right,
and whenever a new troll
posts a comment, that worth
a minimum of fifty comments
and half as many ZOT graphics.
I hope his words have some effect.
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.