Posted on 07/24/2002 2:06:03 PM PDT by knak
Let's Roll!
Bulldozers, trucks diverted to military use
Arbil, Iraq Press, July 23, 2002 – The authorities have diverted hundreds of trucks, cars and bulldozers to military use in violation of U.N. regulations.
The vehicles, converted to serve military purposes, were imported recently under the U.N.'s oil-for-food program which allows Iraq to sell unlimited amounts of oil and use the proceeds to alleviate the humanitarian conditions for the Iraqis.
Most of the vehicles are being used by the the so-called al-Qudus or Jerusalem army, a militia force of allegedly several million volunteers originally raised to support the Palestinians' struggle against Israeli occupation.
But the army is now being used to terrorize the Iraqis. Residents say the army mounts patrols in residential areas and storms houses where it suspects deserters to be hiding.
Scores of bulldozers and mechanical shovels imported under the program are now being used to dig up military trenches and security zones particularly along the semi-independent Kurdish enclave.
Protected by a U.S. and British air umbrella, Iraqi kurds run their affairs away from President Saddam Hussein's authority. The authorities fear that the United States may rely on the Kurds in its declared bid to topple Saddam.
Meantime, the authorities are reported to have slapped severe restrictions on travel from and to the Kurdish enclave.
Major roads were blocked recently and the few passengers who managed to cross were subjected to prolonged questioning by the security services.
The authorities now grapple with two major problems, apart from their worries of a U.S. military attack.
Their first concern is related to security. They are trying their best to prevent a repeat of the popular uprisings that wrested 14 out of 18 provinces from government control shortly after the end of the 1991 Gulf War over Kuwait.
Their second concern is related to the high numbers of army deserters. The residents said the bulk of Iraq's militia force and ruling Baath party are preoccupied with a campaign to hunt down the deserters.
In a memo to Iraqi parliament, Saddam's elder son, Udai, alluded to security problems that might emanate once the United States unleashes an attack.
He said the authorities should do everything at their disposal to prevent uprisings as those the country witnessed in the wake of the Gulf War.
At least they have good and accurate memories of the last "Mother of all Battles".
Leave in Iraq must be wonderful. You get to go to a totally different part of the desert, sit in the dusty sunshine, not drink alcohol, not see any chicks, not check out any movies, see no sports, and possibly get shot for desertion.
Whooo hooo!
Ladies and gentlemen....
LLLllllllllet's Get Ready to RUMBLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
I don't think we're going to do anything in Iraq this year.
I hope I'm wrong though.
......including 7 puppies and 10 infants in the process of being born.
Checkpoints have been set up at the following interjections:
Wow!
Cool!
Pow!
Bam!
Gimmefive!
Moothafokkah!
Outtasight!
Sheeyit!
Datwanhotchik!
Ahmowddaheah!
Hotdang!
and Notagain!?!
Michael
Heck, the poor saps were surrendering to reporters, no less!
Hope Saddam, his sadistic son and henchmen have armored corsets and rear-view mirrors attached to their heads. Some of the common foot soldiers and disgruntled Iraqi "Elite Corps" and "Palace Guard" may not take too kindly to being blown into bloody pieces by Daisy Cutters and Smart Bombs on behalf of their peerless leaders.
Leni
That was my first thought upon seeing the headline. They must vividly remember the first Gulf War.
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