BBC: Several explosions heard in central Baghdad

[DoYouEverWonder]

early on Tuesday morning. More soon.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/default.stm

This is on the crawl on the BBC site. No other info yet.

[AndyTiedye]

1. Probably Shooting off Fireworks to Celebrate their "Freedom"

yeah right.

[DavidDvorkin]

5. No, no! The Fourth of July!

They're celebrating our national holiday to demonstrate their love for us.

[leftchick]

2. oh that would be the fireworks no doubt...

celebrating the "Handover" and all you know. Nothing to see here...

[fishnfla]

3. Its reigning freedom

and body parts

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Four Explosions Rock Central Baghdad - ABC News

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040628_1385.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq June 28, 2004 ? At least four strong explosions shook the heart of the Iraqi capital early Tuesday, hours after the U.S.-run coalition transferred sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government.

Three strong blasts reverberated through the city about 12:35 a.m. The cause of the blasts was unknown but it appeared the explosions occurred on the western side of the Tigris river where the U.S.-controlled Green Zone is located.



Looks like the Iraqis are celebrating the handover?

[mctrotter5]

6. Could it be Bremer knew something he didn't stop to share

with our troops?

[Divernan]

7. He wasted no time getting out of Dodge, did he?

But he left our young men and women behind.

[Barrett808]

8. That's Juan Cole's speculation: Bremer Flees Iraq Two Days Early

Bremer Flees Iraq Two Days Early

Paul Bremer suddenly left Iraq on Monday, having "transferred sovereignty" to the caretaker Iraqi government two days early.

It is hard to interpret this move as anything but a precipitous flight. It is just speculation on my part, but I suspect that the Americans must have developed intelligence that there might be a major strike on the Coalition Provisional Headquarters on Wednesday if a formal ceremony were held to mark a transfer of sovereignty. Since the US military is so weak in Iraq and appears to have poor intelligence on the guerrilla insurgency, the Bush administration could not take the chance that a major bombing or other attack would mar the ceremony.

The surprise move will throw off all the major news organizations, which were planning intensive coverage of the ceremonies originally planned for Wednesday.

(more)

http://www.juancole.com/2004_06_01_juancole_archive.html#108843853517271330

[DoYouEverWonder]

12. Things must be really bad

to screw the cable and network news folks and their big Countdown to Handover.

Instead, he sneaks out like a thief in the night. He looks pretty scared shitless in that pic and he's getting out. Can you imagine the poor suckers he left behind.

[Barrett808]

18. I haven't seen the photo -- can you post?

Sounds delicious.

[leftchick]

15. Just as I suspected...

Thank you for posting this Barrett. Allawi is a dead man walking...

<snip>
The guerrilla insurgency will continue, perhaps become more active. My wife Shahin, always a keen and canny observer, thinks the guerrillas will make their priority number one the assassination of Allawi.

[leftchick]

10. Bremer: "Get me the hell outa here NOW!"

U.S. administrator Paul Bremer lowers his sunglasses while waiting on a U.S. Air Force plane at Baghdad International Airport for his flight out of Iraq (news - web sites) June 28, 2004. The United States handed over sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government on Monday, formally ending a 14-month occupation two days earlier than expected to try to forestall guerrilla attacks. REUTERS/HO/Staff Sergeant D.Myles Cullen

[geek tragedy]

11. "I'm a Neocon Viceroy--get me out of here!"

Like a thief in the night.

[The_Casual_Observer]

13. Notice the bullet proof vest on that bastard

It speaks volumes about him and his country's stupid assed policies.

He sure did leave the place better than he found it.

[TahitiNut]

16. His shirt has "Freedom Cuffs".

I never got to wear a shirt like that under my flak jacket. :eyes:

[Sideways]

19. Appropriate For a Goon Who Left An Entire Country In Handcuffs

Nice catch Mike. Jerry Paul Bremer looks like a first class asshole. And what a shitty toupee. I loathe this fuckstick.

[daleo]

17. Planes got hit yesterday with small arms fire

Bremer had to get while the gettings good.

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. Next - "We predict increased violence in the run up to elections!"

They will simply move forward to the next excuse. They know damn well that if they don't keep a close US military/ contractor guard up, all these temporary provisional government guys will soon be found hanging from the branches of the Baghdad olive trees.

[0007]

14. Bremer sure didn't win any hearts and minds to say his last goody byes too

did he?

Very telling what the Iraqis thought of this schmuck. Now Iraq will inherit a real prick in John Negroponte, an Iran/Contra convict.