U.S. gives rosy picture of rebuilding Iraq

[Barrett808]

U.S. gives rosy picture of rebuilding Iraq, while people on the streets seethe
By Tim Johnson and Omar Jassim
Knight Ridder Newspapers

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Deep within the Green Zone, the fortified home of Iraq's interim administration, U.S. officials offered an upbeat assessment Thursday of their multibillion-dollar efforts to rebuild the country. Out in the streets of Baghdad, though, it's a parallel universe.

Twenty months after Saddam Hussein's removal from power, electricity blinks on and off. Jobs are scarce. The rat-a-tat of automatic gunfire erupts nearly hourly. Criminal kidnappings for ransom have soared. Parents fear to let their children out for long periods, even to go to school.

Stop just about anyone on the street, and the complaints spill out in torrents.

"The Americans keep saying that they are making things better and better," said Ali Ayad, a 17-year-old school dropout. "If things are getting better, why did I have to leave school to support my family?"

Severe gasoline shortages are further souring the mood in a nation that has some of the largest oil reserves in the world. Lines at gas stations stretch for more than a mile. On the black market, gas sells for 50 times higher than at service stations.

"I've been here waiting in this line since yesterday at 9 p.m. - and I'm still waiting," said Kadhim Juad, a motorist speaking at midafternoon. "I'm risking my life waiting for gasoline because of the security situation."

(more)

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/10378645.htm?1c

[pa28]

1. Yeah.

You can't get safely from the green zone to the airport without an armored column. How, exactly, are they planning to organize the reconstruction of the whole country?

[0007]

2. Seems I've hear that song before. Play it again Sam!

The sheep just love that tune.

[struggle4progress]

3. Why cain't them reporters concentrate on how nice life is ...

... inside the Green Zone?