Iraqis can vote in battered Falluja-US general

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N18222205.htm

WASHINGTON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Thousands of Iraqis have returned to the former insurgent stronghold of Falluja and will be allowed to vote inside the city in Iraq's Jan. 30 national election, a senior U.S. Marine general said on Tuesday.

Lt. Gen. John Sattler, speaking in a videoconference from Falluja with Pentagon reporters, said residents of the nearby city of Ramadi, another restive area of the so-called "Sunni Triangle", will also be allowed to vote there.

But Sattler refused to disclose how many polling places would be set up in the two cities in al Anbar Province or where they would be, hoping to avert possible attacks on voters.

"If you're in Falluja, you'll be able to vote in Falluja. If you're in Ramadi, you'll definitely be able to vote in Ramadi ... It will be safe. It will be secure," said the general, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based in al Anbar Province.

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[Union Thug]

1. Each will be given a chisel and a stone.

Since there's nothing else left there.

[AlamoDemoc]

2. Right on

[lebkuchen]

6. Fallujans can't even take a shit out of the public eye

no walls left standing

voting is probably the last thing on their minds.

[Supersedeas]

3. withholding the names of candidates and location of polling places doesn't

look like the type of democracy Condi is talking about spreading??

Or is it?

[tridim]

4. They'll say the same thing after Bush drops a nuke

Sure you can vote.. Your skin will fall off from radiation, but you can still vote!

I've seen pictures of Falluja.. It's rubble as far as the eye can see.

[lebkuchen]

5. How conniving

in Bushy attempt to make Americans think that Falluja still has a latitude and longitude.

[Robbien]

7. They say thousands have returned but neglect to say those thousands

have walked right back out after seeing their homes are no longer there.

Wonder how many Iraqis really are in Fallujah. This PR stunt probably had more people attending the farce than in the whole city of Fallujah.

[NNN0LHI]

8. This was a report given by the IDF...er...ah...I mean the US military...

...to the media for dissemination. I did not get the feeling the person who typed this up was actually in Fallujah. No PR stunt. Just a news release (propaganda piece) with orders to print it.

Don

[Barrett808]

9. They voted already -- with their feet n/t

[bemildred]

10. Oh good, "Faith based" voting. nt

[nickine9]

11. and if you're not in fallujah...

as several more thousands still aren't?

or you cant get into fallujah because you look like a terrorist and have been arrested?

or you were unfortunately blown to pieces during the assault?


democracy my arse

[theresistance]

12. What an absolute evil joke...

Destroy the place then say that people who return to the wasteland can vote..If that's the end that justifies the means, then it is just plain evil...