Iraq orders Baghdadis to stay put

UPI | 8/15/02

[kattracks]

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug 15, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Iraqi authorities have ordered Baghdad residents to stay put and warned that their money and property will be confiscated if they leave the city without permission, according to a well-informed source. The measures were taken, the source said, to prevent people fleeing in anticipation of a U.S. military strike.

Copyright 2002 by United Press International.

[LibWhacker]

US-based Human Rights Watch has already issued a 24-page report condemning as a war crime Israel's use of a neighbor to warn a terrorist to surrender. HRW is calling him a human shield. And maybe he was. But I wonder how long it'll take HRW to issue a report condemning Saddam Hussein for using a whole city's population as human shields? Ain't holding my breath.

[Dog Gone]

I'd like to see this reported in another source besides UPI. I seriously question their credibility anymore.

[wcbtinman]

"I am fortunate that I was born in the United States and not in Iraq."

Saddam is fortunate that I was born in the US and not in Iraq, or he would be worm food by now.

Too bad that the average Iraqi has not the courage to kill this monster.

[martian_22]

Careful what you ask for. You may already have it.

[arthurus]

there's no need to target innocent Iraqi civilians

Targeting military assets will be targeting civilians. They will be clustered around the missile launchers and truck parks all over Baghdad for the benefit of American TV. And of course AA guns will be parked in mosques and churches (yes, there are a few) as well as hospitals.

To one such as Saddam the civilians only value is what they can suply to Saddam, goods or money, or protection.

[PetroniDE]

The Nazis did this to Berliners in early 1945, when the war was long over (in terms of which side would win). The people were fleeing from Berlin to the western part of the country, hoping to be captured by American or British compared to the Russians. Violators were shot on sight.

History repeating itself.

[Bobby777]

of course that's what Saddam wants ... I think these publications of "imminent attack" are not only signaling resistance groups, they're warning the Iraqi citizens to start running when the shooting starts ...

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Why are we not shooting down "anything and everything" that is launched by any other nation unless the US inspects it first?

Very similar to Reagan's idea. A bunch of reactionists called it 'Star Wars'.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I think these publications of "imminent attack" are not only signaling resistance groups, they're warning the Iraqi citizens to start running when the shooting starts.

You got it. The fact that Saddam is doing this indicates that the public is not a bunch of uninformed fanatics ready to die for the cause. Looks like they are as 'fanatically loyal' as is needed to keep out of trouble.

[old school]

Perhaps there was some military goal achieved in the bombing of Dresden, I can't find it! But, even Churchill questioned the morality of it. I suppose that if you can convince the guys who actually drop the bombs of the military necessity, then you're home-free! I don't think you can compare World War II Germany to present-day Iraq, in any event!

[angkor]

Human shields, and also they need to prevent mass defections to opposition groups.

The probability of war and destruction is now being weighed by all Iraqis against the rulership of Saddam.

He will be a dead man before October.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

...there's no need to target innocent Iraqi civilians ... surely many of which are living under a ruthless dictator ...

It's up to Saddam how safe those citizens will be, unless his authority is crippled with utter chaos [which may happen].

However, we need not do all the dirty work. Let the Kurds do some of it. I bet they would be glad to.

[Charles Martel]

Saddam is a great admirer of Stalin.

With a bit of luck, Saddam will be joining Joe shortly. Once there, he will set new records for "sucking-up to the boss".

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

If we were to zap Bagdad with an electromagnetic pulse,it would get pretty uncomfortable down in that hole without electricity, airconditioning, and any radio or telphone communications.

Sounds like fun. But how about this? Let the Kurds get their hands on him. And maybe they could even have a small nerve gas sample, so small it takes a month to kill anyone.

[RetiredArmy]

Hang on a little longer. When, if, the socialist demoRATs/communist get in charge of the White House and Congress at the same time, this is what kind of government we will then have. Mind your P's and Q's, it will happen.

[aristeides]

Not just Berlin. The whole of East Prussia (from which Gauleiter Koch escaped), Festung (Fortress) Breslau, lots of other places.

[grumpster-dumpster]

Just a little mental excercise for all:

Let's assume you are "the bad guy down the street" (define: "bad-guy" anyway you want.)
I am the "beat-cop" and I have unlimited powers.

I announce to you that I'm coming to get you... (and you know it's true).
In response: you seal-up all of your family inside your house.

I come along and:
1. I shut off your power supply and your communications.
2. I take out your transportation (wreak your car).
3. I destroy your home-garden where you grow food.
4. I surround your house and let no one in or out.

Do you think your tactics will work?

[Frank_Discussion]

Y'know, it took me a minute to slap my hjead over that one, but you're right, Dresden is a pretty poor example. I was just being flippant, I suppose, and it just kind of popped out.

Seriously, though, my feelings are two-fold:

1. What else can we do but invade and destroy Saddam, civilian sheild or not? Talking hasn't worked, and it doesn't appear that it ever will.

2. Our miltary is charged ultimately with protecting the country. That means that the enemy's civilians will die before ours when war is waged.

[TexasRepublic]

Hey, Iraqis! Don't run, you'll just die tired!

[old school]

Agreed!