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| Iraq |
| Coalition frees would-be Baghdad Mayor |
| 2003-05-12 |
| Coalition forces have released Mohammed Mohsen al-Zubaidi, two weeks after detaining the man who sought to govern Baghdad in the aftermath of the fall of Saddam Hussein, US Central Command announced Monday. "Prior to his release, al-Zubaidi admitted that he had over-stepped his authority and that his actions were contrary to Coalition efforts to secure and stabilize Baghdad," Centcom said in a statement datelined Baghdad. "Upon his release, al-Zubaidi issued a public statement affirming his support to the Coalition and pledging to work within the Coalition authority to enhance the reconstruction of Baghdad and Iraq," it added. I guess we "explained" things to him. However the retired US general appointed to administer Iraq, Jay Garner, announced on May 5 that Zubaidi had been freed just 48 hours after his arrest on April 27. The condition for his release was that he not resume his activity of asserting authority in Baghdad, the general told reporters on May 5. "I understand he was released after 48 hours," Garner said. "48 hours or two weeks, when ever we get to it. Now if you'll excuse me, I got to pack." According to Centcom, Zubaidi, who had announced he was setting up 22 committees to run Baghdad, including foreign affairs and defense, said in his statement: "My intent has always been to work in support of the Coalition. But I now realize that a number of my statements and actions have actually served to hinder progress in the very areas in which I was working to improve. I am not the mayor of Baghdad, nor am I interested in working independently of the Coalition to achieve what we all understand to be the same goal — peace and prosperity for all Iraqis." "Is that OK? Can I go home now, please?" Lieutenant General David McKiernan, commander for the Coalition Forces Land Component Command, said: "It is important that self-appointed leaders do not spring from the void formed with the removal of the regime. There will be officials elected and appointed who will represent Iraqis. I hope that, like we did with Mr. al-Zubaidi, we can work with those Iraqis who want a better future for Iraq." "And if we can't, there is plenty of room at Gitmo." |
| Posted by:Steve |