renata
18th April 2003, 01:51 PM
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=540&e=1&u=/ap/20030418/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_rdp
Less than 10 days after the fall of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), thousands of Iraqis marched in downtown Baghdad on Friday to demand a rapid U.S. troop withdrawal and a prominent opposition leader said he expects Americans to relinquish most government functions within weeks.
The pressure surfaced in the streets as Australian officials disclosed the discovery of dozens of Iraqi fighter jets and other heavy military hardware at an air base and American troops took custody of a leader from the old regime for the second time in as many days.
....
Thousands marched through the city's downtown, urged on by an imam at Holy Day prayers.
"No to America, no to Saddam," they shouted, and called for unity among Iraq's Sunni Muslims, Shiite Muslims and Kurds. Some carried banners in Arabic and English. "Leave our country. We want peace," read one.
Inside the mosque, Sheik Ahmed al-Kubeisy addressed his remarks to Americans. "You are masters today. But I warn you against thinking of staying. Get out before we force you out," he said.
Questions:
1. When should US leave? These people indicate they want US to leave within weeks
2. What will happen if US leaves in a few weeks?
I fear if they leave before erstoring civil services, the county may collapse into mayhem. I also fear people who held power, as well as suriving members of the Special Guard will reemerge and take control of the country, if we leave too quickly. However, if we stay, we risk squandering any good will we earned by deposing Saddam in the first place. I find it a little ironic that one the first consequences of overthrows of an oppressive dictator is that Iraqis use their new freedoms to ask US to leave. Although maybe anti- American protests would be allowed in Iraq.
Reminds me of an old Russian joke. Reagan and Gorbatchev argue about which country has true freedom, Reagan says- in USA, a person can go in front of the White House, and scream "Reagan sucks!" and nothing will happen to them. Gorbatchev says- Big Deal! In USSR, anyone can go to the Red Square, and scream "Reagan sucks" also.
Less than 10 days after the fall of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), thousands of Iraqis marched in downtown Baghdad on Friday to demand a rapid U.S. troop withdrawal and a prominent opposition leader said he expects Americans to relinquish most government functions within weeks.
The pressure surfaced in the streets as Australian officials disclosed the discovery of dozens of Iraqi fighter jets and other heavy military hardware at an air base and American troops took custody of a leader from the old regime for the second time in as many days.
....
Thousands marched through the city's downtown, urged on by an imam at Holy Day prayers.
"No to America, no to Saddam," they shouted, and called for unity among Iraq's Sunni Muslims, Shiite Muslims and Kurds. Some carried banners in Arabic and English. "Leave our country. We want peace," read one.
Inside the mosque, Sheik Ahmed al-Kubeisy addressed his remarks to Americans. "You are masters today. But I warn you against thinking of staying. Get out before we force you out," he said.
Questions:
1. When should US leave? These people indicate they want US to leave within weeks
2. What will happen if US leaves in a few weeks?
I fear if they leave before erstoring civil services, the county may collapse into mayhem. I also fear people who held power, as well as suriving members of the Special Guard will reemerge and take control of the country, if we leave too quickly. However, if we stay, we risk squandering any good will we earned by deposing Saddam in the first place. I find it a little ironic that one the first consequences of overthrows of an oppressive dictator is that Iraqis use their new freedoms to ask US to leave. Although maybe anti- American protests would be allowed in Iraq.
Reminds me of an old Russian joke. Reagan and Gorbatchev argue about which country has true freedom, Reagan says- in USA, a person can go in front of the White House, and scream "Reagan sucks!" and nothing will happen to them. Gorbatchev says- Big Deal! In USSR, anyone can go to the Red Square, and scream "Reagan sucks" also.