Posted on 08/26/2007 11:35:44 AM PDT by james500
Iraq's top Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish political leaders reached consensus on some U.S. benchmarks on Sunday that are seen as crucial to healing the deep rifts in the country, Iraqi officials said.
Three Iraqi officials said the leaders had signed an agreement that would ease curbs on former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party joining the civil service and military.
Two of the officials also said consensus had been reached on holding provincial elections and releasing many detainees held without charge across the country.
That’s more work done than by our Dem congress.
The headline should have read, “Iraqi Leaders Reach Agreement on Crucial Benchmarks”. Instead you get, “Iraq Leaders Reach Consensus on Some Benchmarks”.
The surge is working. The benchmarks are beginning to be achieved... this is a very painful time to be a democarat and a water bucket carrier in their briggade.
What happens when the surge achieves it’s goals and the benchmarks are achieved? Whatever will the Democrats and their flying monkeys do? So much for that big crystal ball...
Making progress ping!
“That’s more work done than by our Dem congress.”
That’s the point that Bush should make to Congress...
“You complain about Iraq not making political progress, but even you can’t get behind a single plan when it comes to Iraq. The Iraqis have decades of grievances to work out. Here in our supposedly unified country, we’ve been waiting decades for a Social Security fix. Stop whining about Iraq’s political progress when the current Congress’ only claim to fame is endless investigations and obstruction.”
Excellent news.
Sounds good, if correct.
Meanwhile.. FRom the Bay Area..
No “political surge” in Iraq, Tauscher says
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1886890/posts
Mainstream outlets will bury this latest news out of Iraq.
Thanks, E!
Sunni Arab party to join new alliance - Iraq PM
Reuters | 26 Aug 2007 13:04:27 GMT | Waleed Ibrahim
Posted on 08/26/2007 3:40:01 PM EDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886865/posts
Saddam Hussein: In His Own Words
Quotes from Saddam and Iraq's regime-controlled media October 18, 2002 For years, Saddam Hussein and his regime have used state-controlled media in Iraq to spread lies, and threaten his neighbors and the world. Below is a sampling of quotes from Saddam and the Iraqi media — keyed to significant events — showing a pattern of threats stretching back more than a decade.
The Gulf War, February 1991
"We will chase [Americans] to every corner at all times. No high tower of steel will protect them against the fire of truth."
Saddam Hussein, Baghdad Radio, February 8, 1991"[America] will not be excluded from the operations and explosions of the Arab and Muslim mujahidin and all the honest strugglers in the world."
Iraq News Agency, January 30, 1991 (State-controlled)"What remains for Bush and his accomplices in crime is to understand that they are personally responsible for their crime. The Iraqi people will pursue them for this crime, even if they leave office and disappear into oblivion. There is no doubt they will understand what we mean if they know what revenge means to the Arabs."
Baghdad Radio, February 6, 1991 (State-controlled)"Every Iraqi child, woman, and old man knows how to take revenge...They will avenge the pure blood that has been shed no matter how long it takes.
Baghdad Domestic Service, February 15, 1991 (State-controlled)Iraq Masses Troops Against Kuwait, October 1994
"Does [America] realize the meaning of every Iraqi becoming a missile that can cross to countries and cities?"
Saddam Hussein, September 29, 1994"[W]hen peoples reach the verge of collective death, they will be able to spread death to all..."
Al-Jumhuriyah, October 4, 1994 (State-controlled newspaper)"[O]ur striking arm will reach [America, Britain and Saudi Arabia] before they know what hit them."
Al-Qadisiyah, October 6, 1994 (State-controlled newspaper)"One chemical weapon fired in a moment of despair could cause the deaths of hundreds of thousands." Al-Quds al-Arabi, October 12, 1994 (State-controlled newspaper)
Release of UNSCOM Report, April 10, 1995
"Although Iraq's options are limited, they exist...Iraq's present state is that of a wounded tiger. Its blow could be painful, even if it is the last blow..."
Al-Quds Al-'Arabi, June 9, 1995 (State-controlled newspaper)Khobar Towers Bombing, June 25, 1996
"[The U.S.] should send more coffins to Saudi Arabia, because no one can guess what the future has in store."
Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Radio, June 27, 1996Operation Desert Fox, December 1998
"If [other Arab nations] persist on pursuing their wrongful path, then we should — or rather we must — place the swords of jihad on their necks..."
Saddam Hussein, January 5, 1999"Oh sons of Arabs and the Arab Gulf, rebel against the foreigner...Take revenge for your dignity, holy places, security, interests and exalted values."
Saddam Hussein, January 5, 1999
"[Saudi Arabian and Kuwaiti] blood will light torches, grow aromatic plants, and water the tree of freedom, resistance and victory."
Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Radio, January 26, 1999"Whoever continues to be involved in a despicable aggressive war against the people of Iraq as a subservient party must realize that this aggressive act has a dear price."
Saddam Hussein, February 16, 1999"What is required now is to deal strong blows to U.S. and British interests. These blows should be strong enough to make them feel that their interests are indeed threatened not only by words but also in deeds."
Al-Qadisiyah, February 27, 1999 (State-controlled newspaper)U.S.S. Cole Bombing, October 12, 2000
"[Iraqis] should intensify struggle and jihad in all fields and by all means..."
Iraq TV, October 22, 2000 (State-controlled)The Attacks of September 11
"The United States reaps the thorns its rulers have planted in the world."
Saddam Hussein, September 12, 2001"The real perpetrators [of September 11] are within the collapsed buildings."
Alif-Ba, September 11, 2002 (State-controlled newspaper)"[September 11 was] God's punishment."
Al-Iktisadi, September 11, 2002 (State-controlled newspaper)"If the attacks of September 11 cost the lives of 3,000 civilians, how much will the size of losses in 50 states within 100 cities if it were attacked in the same way in which New York and Washington were? What would happen if hundreds of planes attacked American cities?"
Al-Rafidayn, September 11, 2002 (State-controlled newspaper)"The simple truth [about September 11] is that America burned itself and now tries to burn the world."
Alif-Ba, September 11, 2002 (State-controlled magazine)"[I]t is possible to turn to biological attack, where a small can, not bigger than the size of a hand, can be used to release viruses that affect everything..."
Babil, September 20, 2001 (State-controlled newspaper)"The United States must get a taste of its own poison..."
Babil, October 8, 2001
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/oct2002/a101802a.html
Let us hope it continues in a positive way. They have a hell of a long way to go by all indications in somehow changing their very souls and hearts in accepting one another as equals under one roof. I hope it will come to past. In essence it is the underlining key behind the whole plan to unite Iraq under one central government that would remain democratic as well as actually work to better all Iraqi regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds.
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