Shades of Saddam in Iraq terror laws

[UpInArms]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1089238210627&call_pageid=968332188854&col=968350060724&tacodalogin=no

BAGHDAD?Iraqis welcomed a sweeping new security law eerily reminiscent of the Saddam-era police state, saying that only by restoring law and order can their new government lay a foundation for the freedom and democracy they hope will follow. The six-page national security law announced yesterday outlines a crackdown on crime and insurgents replete with the powers to eavesdrop, intercept mail, impose curfews and closures and to search and detain suspects ? practices not seen since the fall of dictator Saddam Hussein 15 months ago.

The announcement was underscored by a surge in violence in Baghdad, where a four-volley series of mortar strikes landed in a residential area near the home of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. Pitched gun battles involving insurgents, fledgling Iraqi police and national guard troops followed. "We will soon reach a day when you can be safe inside your homes, in your streets, your employment situation will drastically improve and you will all be united without separation according to regions or religions," Allawi told reporters in the wake of the apparent assassination attempt. "However, for now we have a very important task ahead of us and that is to rid our country of these criminals and terrorists. Together we will succeed and we will prevail."

Allawi's interim government had twice postponed the announcement of the new law in order to accommodate U.S. and Iraqi concerns that the appointed prime minister could use its powers to circumvent elections scheduled for January and remain in office indefinitely.

...more...

Well, there it is folks. The US has now "appointed" the Iraqi ruler "indefinitely".

[the Kelly Gang]

1. new boss, same same old boss !

[Rose Siding]

2. Has increased oppression ever defeated guerilla forces?

That Allawi would refer to the insurgents as "criminals and terrorists" is telling.

[UpInArms]

3. wasn't there just a news story yesterday

that said there were only 29 foreigners held in detention in Iraq?

[Rose Siding]

4. Yeah, I'm remembering 2 or 3%

only of our captured/detained were foreign to Iraq. Then there's the amnesty offer being discussed, like SA. Allawi's spouting lines that the Bushies want to hear. We're setting up a new Saddam but many Iraqis seem to prefer him to us.

There sure as hell isn't any reason anymore for our military getting killed/killing for his govt.

[UpInArms]

6. found the news article that I referred to

http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=2009980

Baghdad, Iraq-AP -- Prison statistics in Iraq point to an insurgency that is far more local than foreign-led.

Iraq says only 29 people held in the maximum security section of Abu Ghraib (grayb) prison are foreigners. They include Saudis, Syrians, Jordanians, Yemenis, an Iranian and other nationalities.A spokesman for U-S command says there are about 60 more foreign fighters among Abu Ghraib's general prison population, and at another prison.Privately, American intelligence officials acknowledge that foreigners are not the crux of the problem in Iraq. They believe the overwhelming number of insurgents are Iraqis, mostly Sunni Muslims, who are the minority but were favored under Saddam Hussein. They stand to lose the most with the new government.The best-known foreign fighter in Iraq is Abu Musab al- Zarqawi (AH'-boo MOO'-sahb ahl-zahr-KOW'-ee), who is Jordanian.

so basically the "terrorists" that Allawi is targeting are the Iraqi people.

[lumpy]

5. A new US sponsored dictatorial government

has been born. A new brand of "criminals and terrorists" have taken over.