U.S. Seizes Self-Proclaimed Baghdad Mayor

AP via Yahoo ^ | 4-27-03

[mikenola]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces on Sunday arrested an Iraqi exile who had proclaimed himself Baghdad's mayor, saying he was exerting authority he didn't have.

Mohammed Mohsen al-Zubaidi was arrested at 5 p.m. in downtown Baghdad "for his inability to support the coalition military authority and for exercising authority which was not his," said U.S. military spokesman Capt. David Connolly, speaking in Baghdad.

Soldiers arrested seven others found with al-Zubaidi, Connolly said without identifying them.

Al-Zubaidi, who has cast himself as a volunteer to help Iraq (news - web sites) get back on its feet, never discouraged widespread rumors that he was appointed by U.S. military authorities. American forces, however, have become increasingly adamant in recent days that they have no relationship with him.

"He was misrepresenting himself as mayor, a position which he was not appointed to," Connolly said.

Al-Zubaidi has been associated in the past with Ahmad Chalabi, a leader of the Iraqi National Congress, a London-based exile group.

Connolly said al-Zubaidi was writing letters to utility plants telling them to await his instructions before restarting operations and firing some employees of the government electricity company who were returning to work.

He said he was unsure where the men were taken.

Al-Zubaidi, unknown in Baghdad before Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s regime fell earlier this month, set up shop at the Sheraton Hotel and opened offices in a country club next door, the Aluwiyah Club.

There, thousands of government workers have filled out forms to re-register for their jobs, believing al-Zubaidi was in charge. Many said they assumed he had been appointed by the Americans.

But the Americans have increasingly denied any connection to al-Zubaidi, and on Wednesday they began to threaten him with arrest.

Lt. Col. Alan King, commander of the 422nd Civil Affair Battalion in charge of restoring operations in Baghdad, said he had seen reports al-Zubaidi was distributing weapons and uniforms to followers.

"Anyone in uniform working with al-Zubaidi will be arrested as a combatant. The only people in Baghdad allowed to wear a uniform ... is who we authorize," King said Wednesday.

Al-Zubaidi, he said, "is running Baghdad as much as Saddam Hussein is."

[Brian S]

This one will be interesting to watch.

[nicmarlo]

This is voter fraud, to the extreme, lol!

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

I was wondering when they were going to remove this nut...if ever. About time.

[Mr. Silverback]

I'm not one of these chicken littles who thinks a few demonstrations mean we're screwing things up, but I hope this is the beginning of a crackdown. If we're going to be called an occupying force by the entire population of world idiots, we might as well get the full benefit of the name. Run Iraq like we ran Japan, then hand it over in beautiful "turnkey operation" shape to an interim government late this year at the earliest.

[Dialup Llama]

>BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces on Sunday arrested an Iraqi exile who had proclaimed himself Baghdad's mayor, saying he was exerting authority he didn't have.

About freeping time along with all the other self appointed, freely elected dictator wannabees.

[MeekOneGOP]

This guy was doing his best Alexander Haig inpersonation? "I'm in charge here" . . .

[cake_crumb]

Al-Zubaidi has worried me ever since he set himself up as defacto mayor. The US was willing to leave him more or less alone, on the off chance he might have turned out to be a decent and honorable leader. Looks like he showed himself as a Saddam mini-me instead.

The first of many, most likely.

[LocalYokel]

"I'm King of the World!" - Al-Zubaidi

[Chirodoc]

Al-Zubaidi is the Mayor of Baghdad. All other infidel mayors will have their stomachs roast in hell. He is in complete control of the city. He will not be removed, never!
Even as I speak, he is removing the infidel tanks from our streets, and the Yankee hordes will be gone...in ONE HOUR!

Baghdad Bob

[cynicom]

Is this guy Al Gore in drag????

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Ref post 5...I agree with everything you just said.

[Mr. Silverback]

Thanks. Every once in a while I get one right. :-)
BTW, are you Panamanian or an American who is located there?

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

I'm both. My folks were Americans (which makes me an American) working for the Panama Canal Company. Since I was born here, Panamanian law states I'm a Panamanian. Panamanian citizenship can not be renounced. To be able to live here, I had to prove Panamanian nationality. This allows me to own property, bank, get a drivers license, apply for utitilies, etc. And yes, I have a U.S. passport. Living in Panamana is a continuous adventure...Never a dull moment.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

My big question to myself has been who is financing Mohammed Mohsen al-Zubaidi?...Iran? Syria? Saudi Arabia? various nut counties in North Africa? France? Russia? Others? All?

[mhking]

Welcome to Chicago politics....

[WHATNEXT?]

So, this must mean they also arrested one of his deputies, Jawdat al-Obaidi. He ran a limousine service in Portland, Oregon for four years. His family is still (if they haven't recently left) in Beaverton, Oregon.

Interesting.

[Mr. Silverback]

Thanks for indulging my curiousity.

[CurlyDave]

keeponrollin registered on April 26, 2003.