Blasts outside Green Zone as US-Iraq deal nears

AFP ^ | 10-7-08

[STARWISE]

Two powerful bombs exploded outside the Iraqi capital's tightly-guarded Green Zone on Tuesday as US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte was ending a visit focused on a controversial military pact.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said an agreement was "very close" and that there were "new ideas and new language" to clinch a mutually-acceptable security deal. "This needs some bold political decisions now," he said.

An Iraqi military officer said at least one soldier was wounded in the blasts which went off in quick succession at a time of heavy traffic.

[STARWISE]

Stay safe.

God bless and protect our awesome troops,
contractors and allies.

[BluegrassBlogger]

Brace yourselves for an uptick in the violence in Iraq. The Islamofascisist are going to pull out all the stops to get their boy Obama elected. Expect to see it plastered all over the MSM when it happens.

[Allegra]

Thanks.

We've been hearing it. I hate that sound. I never want to hear it again.

[Allegra]

The Islamofascisist are going to pull out all the stops to get their boy Obama elected. Expect to see it plastered all over the MSM when it happens.

We were all cautioned about that possibility a couple of months ago.

The Iraqi security forces are so improved and with the help of our troops, I believe they can keep that crap to a minimum and maybe wipe a few more terrorists off the world as well.

[VaRepublican]

your thar close?

[STARWISE]

I don't blame you ... has to be a terrifying sound.

Two bombs exploded outside the Foreign Ministry in Baghdad and close to the fortified green zone where a visiting US diplomat was preparing to give a press conference.

At least five Iraqis were injured in the blasts, which broke windows in the upper floors of the ministry building. They occurred despite a tightening of security across the capital after an increase in bomb attacks over the past fortnight.

Away from the explosions John Negroponte, the visiting US Deputy Secretary of State, spoke to reporters alongside Hoshyar Zebari, Iraq’s Foreign Minister, with interest focused on a deal to keep US troops in Iraq beyond 2008.

"The progress on security is striking," Mr Negroponte, a former US ambassador in Baghdad, said. "I hope that Iraqis will come together to translate that progress into a revitalisation of the economy and delivery of critical infrastructure and services to the population."

Violence across the country is at its lowest level in four years, although attacks still occur, as evidenced by this morning’s bombings.

Against the backdrop of improved security, Baghdad and Washington are trying to hammer out a Status of Forces Agreement to outline the role of US troops in Iraq after a United Nations Security Council mandate expires at the end of 2008.

Mr Zebari said that a deal was close but it will take “bold political decisions” to overcome the final hurdles, which include the question of immunity for US soldiers from Iraqi law.

“This issue needs, I think, some bold political decisions. And we are at that stage. And that's why I suggested that soon you and your colleagues will see hectic political meetings here in Baghdad on this issue to determine the fate of the agreement,” the Foreign Minister said.

Any agreement must be approved by Iraq’s Parliament. Some officials fear opposition unless the deal satisfies Iraqi nationalists.

Mr Zebari said that the US side had submitted new “reasonable” proposals on immunity but emphasised that the Government had taken no final decision.

Mr Negroponte, who is wrapping up a four-day trip to Iraq, refused to discuss specifics of the talks, saying only that “both countries are pursuing this issue from the point of view of their own national self-interest”.

As the two men spoke, the US military reported another death of a US soldier killed in the northern city of Mosul in a gun battle with an al-Qaeda suspect.

~~~

Saying prayers for you all ... God keep you safe .. and victorious.

[Allegra]

your thar close?

Yep. It had been quite a while since I'd heard bombs that close. What a way to start a morning. I used to hear it all the time my first four years here.

I haven't missed that sound. And I'll never get nostalgic for the days of diving into bunkers as mortars and rockets are landing nearby.

I don't think it's going to get that bad again, though. Those were onesie-twosies and the Iraqi security forces are doing a very good job.

They were trained by the very best. :)

[Allegra]

"The progress on security is striking," Mr Negroponte, just before the bombs exploded, shaking him out of his chair.

Sorry. Couldn't resist. I've always had sort of a twisted sense of humor, made moreso by living here for the past few years. :)

[VaRepublican]

in your opinion...... How do you think the average American would respond to such a lifestyle. I get that our largest suburbia's, is that a word?, are Iraqs total population but we would panic, wouldn't we?

[STARWISE]

I know ... ;)
Irony .. strikes when least expected.

Keep thou head low.

[tbpiper]

My son & I talked about this possibility several months ago we he found out he was going back over. Last time, he was mostly on foot. This time he’s in a Stryker (should be on site soon). He can certainly take of his front. It’s his back that I’m worried about. He doesn’t need a Marxist Messiah as a CIC.

[Allegra]

in your opinion...... How do you think the average American would respond to such a lifestyle. I get that our largest suburbia's, is that a word?, are Iraqs total population but we would panic, wouldn't we?

You mean under mortar and rocket attacks or bombs going off?

From my own experience, the first time getting up close and personal with that stuff is pretty scary. But humans are adaptable beings. Now, unless it's practically on top of me (had one land about 50 feet from me this past spring. I was in a building and it shook, rattled and rolled real good), I don't even flinch. You get to where you can distinguish the sound of a mortar from a rocket from a car bomb from an IED and you also learn to gauge the approximate distance it is from you.

I still hate them, though. We've seen mostly peaceful days here since late spring and that is very easy to get used to. :)

[VaRepublican]

I guess what I’m trying to say is that how would our populace react? This generation including my own kids, with exception of my boy cause he has seen a little, has absolutely no idea of life beyond the mall and college and the supermarket. I just wonder how a large chunk of America would react to the lifestyle of a typical Iraqi.

[Allegra]

I guess what I’m trying to say is that how would our populace react? This generation including my own kids, with exception of my boy cause he has seen a little, has absolutely no idea of life beyond the mall and college and the supermarket. I just wonder how a large chunk of America would react to the lifestyle of a typical Iraqi.

Americans would probably not adapt as quickly as the Iraqis, simply because Iraq has been through this sort of thing before, with Saddam's war against Iran, the Persian Gulf War and the 2003 invasion.

Our populace would probably react much like the Iraqis did, though. They'd be very frightened at first, then they'd become somewhat cavalier, develop gallows humor and deal with it, unpleasant as it is. However, social events like meeting at restaurants or parks would be severely curtailed because the fear would be ever present. People would go to work when they could, get supplies in a very speedy and furtive manner, take care of any pressing business but any unnecessary errands would not be done.

Because of our size and population, there would likely be a civil war.

It's no way to live.

And that has passed here now and the Iraqis are going back to a normal, happy lifestyle.

Heaven forbid that we in the U.S. would ever have to go through what they've been through over the past few years. I pray I never see anything even remotely resembling that in my own country.

[VaRepublican]

Well thanks for all u do!!!!! some day down the road, and it may be decades but someday you folks U.S. military, contractors, and all support staff will finally receive the thanks you deserve.