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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Sadr City Council makes a 'Deal' With U.S. Forces |
| 2005-07-22 |
| The municipal council of Sadr City, Baghdadￜs most populated quarter where more than 2 million people live, has reached a new agreement with U.S. troops on policing the impoverished town. Under the terms of the agreement, U.S. troops have agreed to withdraw from the city and leave security to its fledgling police force. "We have set up a security operations room in the city ￜ the Americans are part of it ￜ the tasks are to boost security and to identify strangers and those causing trouble," said Hassan Shamaa, the mayor of Sadr City. Shamaa said that the Americans have agreed, "to withdraw once we have enough police officers in place." The agreement is good news for many Iraqis who do not want to see U.S. tanks and armored vehicles in their areas. It also proves that U.S. troops are willing to leave residential areas once they are sure Iraqi forces are capable of maintaining security. ￜBut Shamaa did not say when Iraqi forces will be fully ready to take over security from American troops,ￜ but he said that he was in contact with the ministries of Interior and Defense as well as the prime minister to strengthen Sadr Cityￜs security forces. Sadr City rose up against U.S. occupation forces last year, as militias of militant cleric Moqtada Sadr fought street battles in the cityￜs warren of lanes and one-story houses. But the militias have laid down their weapons, opting to use peaceful and political means to achieve their goal of ending the presence of foreign troops on Iraqi soil. If Iraqi forces succeed in policing Sadr City on their own, the experiment is likely to spill over to other areas of the restive Iraqi capital. ￜShamaa, however, said he hoped the withdrawal of U.S. troops from his city would not end U.S. aid. ￜHe said his city needs immediate help to rebuild public utilities like water and electricity. Despite promises of massive aid after the agreement last year, under which the militias opted for peace, Shamaa said that only a trickle had reached his city. Head shot of Tater frothing at link |
| Posted by:Mrs. Davis |
| #8 I'd go for that - next time they act up (shoulda been done already IMHO) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-07-22 17:58 |
| #7 Every powerful "politician" in Iraq is a wannabe bosshog or a warlord of some sort. Sistani's Badr Brigade. The Peshmerga,I'm sure there are tons more. Allies, and those who aren't so friendly, and those who switch sides from day to day all usually have some armed wing. Fledgling democracies often have those groups that move from militia to political party. As is apparently DoD's goal with Sadr Tater. I say kill the fuck as an example. The Sunnis are looking to Sadr as an example of all the good shit that can happen if you continue fighting until the other side agrees to enough of your terms. Should have let the Marines waste his ass, but the DoD's logic is sound for our purposes in Iraq in many ways. Stabilise the situation, pump reconstruction dollars in to pacify the population, make things look pretty and get the hell out. If we weren't in these idiots line of fire, they'd shoot each other. So, we'll do what we can for the average smuck, leave and maybe Sadr will be somebody, maybe not. But this type of shit has backfired before. Anyone recall Hitler's beer hall putsch, his trial, growing popularity, national recognition,imprisoment, election, aggression, appeasement from the europeans, then genocide. Maybe the DoD's logic is sound not killing this ass munch, as not to make him a matyr, but if you kill all his friends who is there to celebrate his martydom. If we had killed old smiley pants Hitler in 33 when he was just a punk thug like Tater is now, we'd have saved ourselves a whole lotta steel. That's just my logic, take it or leave it. Whatever the case, we shouldn't publicly try him, it would just make him more poular, but it would be nice if he had an accidental encounter with a stray suicide bomber or something "random" to that effect. Maybe an IED placed by his own thugs, sorry we missed that one Tater. Maybe he chokes to death on his prayer beads, whatever. My preference would be to let the boys over at Blackwater get their revenge for Fallujah on old Tater and I'm sure they would oblige. Tater's towel wrapped head sure would make a nice hood ornament. EP |
| Posted by: ElvisHasLeftTheBuilding 2005-07-22 17:30 |
| #6 Sadr's not smart enuf to be Boss - he's riding his Pappy's legacy in a downward spiral |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-07-22 17:29 |
| #5 I know it sounds cock-eyed but this is what will have to happen all over Iraq for things to become more stable. Their democracy may not look anything like our democracy. Think of the late 1800 and early 1900 America where communities and sometimes entire states were run by a political machine. Everyone remember Boss Hog from the Dukes of Hazard? Boss ran his county, with his police force. Yes a tad dictorial but also he kept things in order within the county limits. I am not saying Sadr is Boss Hog, but it is possible to evolve from that type of political situation into what we have today. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2005-07-22 16:36 |
| #4 Head shot of Tater don't get my hopes up like that |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-07-22 13:44 |
| #3 Shamaa, however, said he hoped the withdrawal of U.S. troops from his city would not end U.S. aid. As is typically the case, the problem these wankers have with Americans is never with their money. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-07-22 13:35 |
| #2 Aid will come faster, and from more sources, when you can control the boomers, assassins, and kidnappers. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2005-07-22 13:06 |
| #1 In yesterday's report to Congress, DoD makes the point that Tater's militia is the only major one not to have disbanded. We've poured a great deal of aid into Sadr city. Little of it has apparently found its way into Shamaa's robes. Too bad... |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2005-07-22 13:03 |