Posted on 05/25/2003 7:58:40 AM PDT by Robert Drobot
U.S. administrators in Baghdad have ordered Iraqis to turn over their weapons by mid-June, as part of an effort to return public security to cities under American occupation.
Unauthorized people found trading, selling or concealing automatic or heavy weapons will face criminal charges.
The U.S. civil administration ordered a two-week amnesty period, beginning June 1st, for the surrender of unauthorized firearms. Weapons turned in will be destroyed, or set aside for use by police or soldiers in a future army.
Possession of small arms will be allowed for some Iraqis for self-defense. Lieutenant General David McKiernan, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, says Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq will also be allowed to remain armed in some areas. Leaders of Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim groups are sharply critical of the exceptions in the disarmament plan.
U.S. Army officials say there will also be a dramatic increase of patrols in Baghdad by coalition forces and Iraqi police charged with fighting crime and lawlessness.
In another development, post-war Iraq's acting oil minister says he expects the country to resume oil exports in two to three weeks. Oil revenues will be used to rebuild the country.
Possession of small arms will be allowed for some Iraqis for self-defense.
Would like to know more... but at this point, I don't have a problem with a limit on heavy arms as described. The place is not fully under control. Right now, I am not concerned about Iraq not having the arms necessary to try to overthrow the government we just spent a lot of lives to try to set up.
No... they aren't. See 18
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