Another story from Iraq (IRAQ THE MODEL)

Iraq the Model ^ | July 21, 2004 | Omar

[Kaslin]

This afternoon, I watched a report on Al-Hurra TV about a couple of successful operations for the Iraqi security forces in which huge amounts of weapons and ammunition were found; one was by the IP in Najaf city while the other was by the National Guards in Baghdad.

This not the first time of course we hear of such successful operations but the new observation this time is that some of the confiscated weapons and ammunition are not from the ususal origins you can see in Iraq (automatic rifles other than the Ak47, bazookas other than the RPG7 and other devices) and these weapons don’t belong to the stuff left behind by the old army after the 9th of April 2003.

This finding leads to the conclusion that these weapons were smuggled from outside Iraq; an operation that definitely cost a lot of money as the prices of weapons outside Iraq are much higher than they used to be in Iraq, and this leads us to two further conclusions:

- There are some groups (or countries) with high financial capabilities involved in the smuggling of weapons. This isn’t new information of course but today’s pictures have added to the evidence we have. - Acquiring weapons and ammunition from the ‘local market’ has become a difficult process for the following reasons: 1-Due to the rising prices because the 'local market' is running out of such stuff which were either used, destroyed or confiscated. 2-The continuous efforts of the Iraqi security forces and multinational forces in chasing and busting weapons dealers are making it more dangerous and difficult to purchase weapons locally and makes it easier to smuggle weapons from outside in case of Najaf for example which has common borders wit Saudi Arabia.

This is a good sign indeed because when getting weapons becomes more difficult and a lot more expensive than before we should expect a decline in the frequency of terrorist attacks in Iraq

Posted by Omar

[Kaslin]

Another great story from Iraq

[GVnana]

I love this guy's blog. I hope he lives a good life.

[PokeyJoe]

I think I would make the following public statement from the podium in the White House.

"The United States will consider it an act of war by any state that supports, facilitates, enables, or finances the importation of weapons or personnell into the country of Iraq that is not authorized by the government of Iraq. We have a duty and responsibility to protect the future democratic government of Iraq, and if any country (looking at a map and pointing to Syria and Iran) knows anything about any such activities - it is requested that they inform the government of the United States at this time, because there will not be a next time."

End of message.

[Kaslin]

Check this out.

Bush or Kerry? In Baghdad, political passions run high

-- Snip --

Bush has a fierce cadre of devoted followers, mainly among Shiites and Kurds who suffered under Saddam Hussein. They are the silent minority.

Abbas (not his real name) is one of them. Every morning as he's leaving the house he pauses by the door. "I put my faith in God," he says, according to Muslim tradition. Then he takes a little picture of George W. Bush out of his wallet, and kisses it.

"And then I put the picture of George W. Bush back in my wallet, so it will be like a prayer," says Abbas, a video store owner.

"I made a vow: that whoever saved me from Saddam, I will kiss him every morning," says Abbas, his craggy face cracking into a grin. "So believe me, I kiss George Bush every morning."

Abbas may be in the distinct minority, but he represents an invaluable group: They'd be sure to vote, because they believe the future of their country is at stake.

"If George W. Bush loses the presidency, Iraq will lose freedom," says Abbas. "If John Kerry wins, he will withdraw the American Army. He will let the terrorists come in and do lots of things that will make Iraq less safe."

Bush or Kerry?

Abbas gets it

[GVnana]

Yes. He does get it. I was just thinking today about a man I saw on television when we liberated Baghdad. He was speaking in a charming accent directly to the camera, "Thank-you, Mr. Bush. Thank-you, Mr. Bush."

A Kerry win would be a horrible defeat to hand Americans and the world. But then, it seems, that is what Mr. Kerry knows best.

[McGavin999]

Yes, Abbas does get it, but unfortunately, the writer of that article does not. The Shiia and Kurds are not the silent minority. The Shiia are approximately 60% of the population and the Kurds are 20%, so the Shiia and the Kurds represent 80% of the population of Iraq.