Airstrips Readied for U.S. in N. Iraq

Washington Post ^ | 3/1/03

[Ranger]

HARIR, Iraq -- Shimmering in the mountain light, the airstrip dominates a majestic valley just below this neatly ordered Kurdish town deep in northern Iraq. The 1.5-mile runway, built in the 1980s by the Iraqi military, has lain derelict for a dozen years. But in the hands of the Kurdish militias that govern northern Iraq, its edges show signs of recent grooming.

Bright white tents flank either end of the macadam. At the freshly installed sentry post, new red paint shines on a wooden drop-barrier. Standing behind it, a Kurdish militia officer politely waves away a visitor, saying "there is no one here."

The recent renovation of two such airstrips in the Kurdish-run zone is the most public evidence of a discreet but active U.S. military presence here. In months of work inside Iraq's Kurdish region, according to officials here and in Washington, U.S. teams have prepared the way for an American-led invasion force expected to number in the tens of thousands. If Turkey's parliament votes to allow the 4th Infantry Division and other U.S. forces to enter Iraq from Turkey, the teams will help ensure they find an easy foothold in the country's mountainous north.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

KURDISTAN YES

TURKEY NO

[Mister Baredog]

looks like we will save a lot of money by not having to pay off the TURKEYS

[Abcdefg]

"Shimmering in the mountain light,"

Anyone want to try and parse that nonsense?

[Leo Carpathian]

>>"Shimmering in the mountain light," Anyone want to try and parse that nonsense? <<

No problem, read between the lines:

It is cold as hell and Iraqueers are shaking in their boots and getting ready for surrender. Mountain plight is getting ready to be unleashed and roll over Iraqueers. This will bring the light to Kurdish heads, unify them and carve the piece of Turkeyland back. There will be no more shivering, people will get back to business of living and see the light brought by American liberators.

DummycRATS will lose more seats and Holywoodski will look more stupid.

[Momaw Nadon]

Attack on Iraq Betting Pool

[cyberaxe]

.....wonder if this is got anything to do with.....

.....the recent Iraq Military movements.....

.....in a southern direction?.....