Protesters demand better security in Baghdad

[Robbien]

BAGHDAD (AP) - About 200 Shiites rallied Monday outside the walled Green Zone to demand that U.S. and Iraqi forces do more to stop insurgent attacks in the capital and help Iraqis who are fleeing their homes because of sectarian violence.

Most of the protesters were women dressed in abayas, the full-length black robes worn by devout Muslim women. One weeping demonstrator held up the photo ID card of her husband, a truck driver, and said he had been killed in a drive-by shooting.

Other protesters waved large banners with slogans demanding that the Iraqi government provide better care for displaced families.

The rally took place outside the tall cement wall surrounding the Green Zone, where Iraq's government meets and the U.S. and British embassies are located. At one point, two Iraqi men - a soldier and a civilian - left the compound to meet with the protesters and briefly take notes about who they were and what they were demanding.

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/news/shownews.jsp?content=w050151A

[Moderator]

1. Kick

[ECH1969]

2. Iraqis Rally for Help Against Insurgents

Most of the protesters were women dressed in abayas, the full-length black robes worn by devout Muslim women. One weeping demonstrator held up the photo ID card of her husband, a truck driver, and said he had been killed in a drive-by shooting.

Other protesters waved large banners with slogans demanding that the Iraqi government provide better care for displaced families.

The rally took place outside the tall cement wall surrounding the Green Zone, where Iraq's government meets and the U.S. and British embassies are located. At one point, two Iraqi men _ a soldier and a civilian _ left the compound to meet with the protesters and briefly take notes about who they were and what they were demanding.

The government offices were closed because May Day is a national holiday in Iraq, although many businesses and stores were open as usual.

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2006/05/01/ap/headlines/d8hb2q4o2.txt

[FloridaPat]

3. Why is Iraq on the Christian calendar?

[Teaser]

4. Because a half century of secular rule

found the non-lunar "christian" calendar attractive.