***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 8 - LIVE THREAD***

Various | 3/27/2003 | Me

[Centurion2000]

Good Morning.

This is the Daily Thread of Operation Iraqi Freedom - LIVE THREAD.

It is designed for general conversation about the events of the day. In depth discussion of events should be left to individual threads - but links to the threads or other articles is highly encouraged. This allows us to stay abreast of the situation in general, while also providing a means of obtaining specific information.

Please have mercy on us dial up limited FReepers! Limit the big graphics, post links instead. A breif description of what the graphic is would help:

Special thanks to null and void for keeping these running over the weekend and Monday, to all of you for keeping these threads alive, the AdminMods for their tolerance, mhking for the video links, and, of course, Belly Girl...

[Peach]

Exactly so. It's our aid and we'll determine who provides and how it's done.

Too many of these supposed aid workers sell stuff on the black market.

[Peach]

iraqi grabbing male children and telling them they must fight or they'll be shot. tommy franks was briefed

[Catspaw]

Food and water aren't "neutral?"

Oh, wait--the aid agencies just want their skim.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Iraqis leave Basra, tank convoy destroyed ^

Reuters report on the exodus from Basra

[Peach]

It think it was the Brits who destroyed most of that convoy.

Confused - is there another second convoy on its way FROM Baghdad composed of Republican Guard to fight allies in the south?

[Carolina]

Red Cross-Red Crescent or UN? I can see the UN being extremely snotty.

I didn't catch his affiliation. It wasn't Red Cross/Crescent.

[Timeout]

Ollie North has LIVE shot of EPW's surrendering!

[Mr. Mulliner]

Earlier on the Iraqi press conference thread someone brought up a scary possibility. The Iraqis heading out of Basra has been a puzzle. In the press conference the Iraqis accused coalition forces of poisoning the water supply. Now what if they put chemicals and/or germs in the water? That would explain them high-tailing it out of Basra. And now their accusation would get the finger pointed at our side for what they already know about. Have you heard anything like this?

[oceanperch]

Watching and participating in this live thread at this time yesterday I felt surreal about being there and after the feeling passed relized how lucky I am to be safe and sound in my home. I did not like what I felt and that was I do not think I would have the courage to do what these young people are doing for us.

[Catspaw]

Ollie saying all those captured have been in civilian clothes.

[lysie]

FNC did a great job with the CC.. didn't they? I sure miss it.

[Amelia]

Hey, Howlin! You got the ping out early today!

Almost 900 posts already...by the time I get home from work, I'll NEVER catch up!

[Carolina]

Since when did neutrality have anything to do with handing out food? One last point: who pays for all of that food aid? The majority of the funds come from the good old US Government!

Koffee keeps making that point, that he expects the US and Britain to bear the cost of this humanitarian aid. We pony up the money and they run it.

And you're right, what does neutrality have anything to do with handing out humanitarian aid?

[Peach]

If we're hearing the stories about the water, it's likely the military has as well and probably have those quick field tests they can perform.

[Dog]

I just got back from getting a cup of coffee....what is going on in this picture where Ollie is located??

[Peach]

Iraqis in civilian clothing surrendering.

[An.American.Expatriate]

The situation is confusing.

Last night the reports were that 1000+ armored vehicles were "rushing" south to engae the americans at Nasiriya. Some reports said two columns.

Reports this morning talk of two troop sightings (near towns), 3000 & 2000 strong.

Basra - several "breakout attempts" - most have been decimated.

[Dog]

Something is going on in the distance...

[Catspaw]

Kofi doesn't just want our money. He/the UN wants a cut of the money to "administer" humanitarian aid. I can't remember where I saw it, but the UN is getting over $500 mil to "administer" oil for food, with 4000 employees.

[Carolina]

Ollie North has LIVE shot of EPW's surrendering!

I hope it's a bona fide surrender, not an ambush.