Blasts hit Green Zone during Blair visit

[rodeodance]

Source: ap

Blasts hit Green Zone during Blair visit

1 minute ago

BAGHDAD - Outgoing British Prime Minister
Tony Blair, whose premiership has been dominated by his unpopular decision to join the
Iraq war, arrived here on a farewell visit Saturday, and three mortar shells or rockets slammed into the compound where he met with Iraq's leaders.

The attack on Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone wounded one person, said U.S. Embassy spokesman Lou Fintor. One round hit the British Embassy compound, security officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

It was not known if Blair was in the embassy at the time, but he appeared to refer to the attack when he held a news conference with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani after meeting with them privately.

..........
Blair, who was on his seventh and final visit to Iraq as Britain's prime minister, said he believed security was improving in Iraq, but acknowledged mortar attacks and terrorist attacks were still daily occurrences.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070519/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_blair;_ylt=AjeFcdB0OHnlKpi70sqnS6Ss0NUE

[MADem]

1. Jesus, if that's "improving security" I'd hate to see worsening security NT

[HereSince1628]

2. It's just the Dead-Enders, and they're getting desperate, attacks on the Green Zone prove that

:eyes:

[MADem]

3. Ahh, the logic goes, if you're in your "last throes" you attack the hardest target...

not the easiest?

Gee, who woulda thunk it!! Such clever fellahs, these 'insurgents!'

[xchrom]

4. who's surging who?

[rodeodance]

5. someday, some high ranking official will get hit ---then the ***t will fly!

[annabanana]

6. I would like to see THAT tape. .

Blair: " I believe security is improving in Iraq," BANG! (ducks, stands back up, looks over shoulder as he brushes dry wall out of his hair) "but I acknowledged mortar attacks and terrorist attacks are still daily occurrences."

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Basra HQ attacked during Blair visit

The headquarters of British forces in Basra was attacked today during a visit from prime minister Tony Blair.

Mr Blair arrived in Basra following a trip to Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone to speak with Iraqi president Jalal Talabani and prime minister Nuri al-Maliki about the ongoing sectarian violence in the troubled country.

After an emtional farewell to British troops, the area came under attack from mortar fire.

Reports suggest that two rounds hit the large base, which is often targeted, but no one was hurt in the incident.

http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/politics/basra-hq-attacked-during-blair-visit-$1086887.htm

[struggle4progress]

8. Amid the bombs, Blair remains upbeat on farewell tour in Iraq (Guardian)

Relaxed PM uses unannounced visit to pay emotional tribute to British troops as fighting continues

Jamie Doward in Baghdad
Sunday May 20, 2007
The Observer

~snip~ And when Blair flew into Iraq on a Hercules air transport, the plane had descended sharply to minimise its landing time. Similar precautions were taken when he was transferred to his helicopter which fired flares when close to landing to draw potential missiles. Incoming fire could be heard only five minutes before he touched down. ~snip~

But Blair's address at this unannounced visit was not so much a valediction as a remembrance of things past with the Prime Minister forced to acknowledge continuing difficulties in the country. 'There are mortar attacks and terrorist attacks happening every day; that's the reality,' Blair said. 'The question is what are you going to do about it? We don't give in to them.' ~snip~

On Thursday a meeting of foreign ministers representing Muslim countries called on international troops to pull out of Iraq as soon as possible.

And last week the respected international relations think-tank, Chatham House, issued a report warning Iraq was on the brink of collapse and that there was no longer any guarantee that it would survive as a single state.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2083963,00.html

[Amonester]

9. The future KKKarlyle Bored member must have been there for,,,

45 minutes :sarcasm:

[Forkboy]

10. Ooops...they thought Cheney was back in town.