U.S. Says Iraqis Getting Involved At Local Level

MSNBC, Reuters ^ | September 30, 2003 | Sue Pleming

[Ex-Dem]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 — Anxious to have a stake in their future, more and more Iraqis are entering local politics despite intimidation from opponents of the U.S. occupation, said U.S. officials and a government contractor on Tuesday. They said neighborhood and city councils were being set up across Iraq where locals were taking the initiative in many areas, from creating non-government organizations (NGOs) to negotiating with U.S. authorities on military issues, water and garbage collection. ''From the last time I was there, I saw a big change. Everywhere you go, Iraqis in local government are coming forward. They want to be involved,'' said Aaron Williams of Research Triangle Institute, a contractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development, one of the main government departments involved in rebuilding Iraq.

[samtheman]

. ''From the last time I was there, I saw a big change. Everywhere you go, Iraqis in local government are coming forward. They want to be involved,'' said Aaron Williams of Research Triangle Institute, a contractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development, one of the main government departments involved in rebuilding Iraq.

Dimowits, eat your heats out.

[Coop]

Not only am I amazed that Reuters and MSNBC published this, but I found the article to be very positive - even the mention of security problems was fair and balanced. (Apologies to FNC)

[MEG33]

Iraq won't work without Iraqi initiative.I hope they continue to step forward to take hold of their future.

[CMAC51]

>> Iraq won't work without Iraqi initiative.I hope they continue to step forward to take hold of their future <<

An structure must be built on a strong foundation, from the ground up, not the top down. The media has been focusing on the national level politics and structure. The real success in Iraq has been occuring at the local levels. They will form the foundation of the success at the national level.

[Ex-Dem]

Well, what's that saying..."Even a broken clock is right twice a day" :)?

[KC_Conspirator]

Speaking of MSNBC...

Its wall to wall coverage there about President Bush's supposed "leaks", interspersed with tidbits about the how bad Iraq is. Its worse than CNN. CNN is covering other news until Judy Woodruff gets into the office this afternoon for her daily attack on Bush. I guess they figure that if they need to know anything they can just walk down the hall and knock on Bob Novak's door and ask him.