Iraq: US troops raid Sheraton Hotel, detain Iranian engineers seeking electrical contract

[bigtree]

. . . this raid on the hotel was supposed to provide the 'proof' of Iranian support for the Iraqi resistance Bush was accusing of today in his http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070828-2.html">speech before the American Legion.


Iraq: US troops raid Sheraton Hotel

08.29.07, 02:34
Israel News

US troops raided a Baghdad hotel Tuesday night and detained about 10 people. A US-funded radio station said the group included six members of an Iranian delegation here to negotiate contacts with the Iraqis.


The Iranian Embassy said seven Iranians including an embassy employee and six members of a delegation from Iran's Electricity Ministry were staying at the Sheraton Ishtar Hotel, which American forces entered late Tuesday. (AP)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3443187,00.html


my take:

Radical U.S. Extremists in Iraq Threaten Iran
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1683538&mesg_id=1683538

[Kagemusha]

1. Iran's prez has talked about helping Iraq with the electricity so...

This is war, so defeating the enemy's strategy (i.e. destroying Iran's ability to get good PR from helping Iraq get its electricity going in a way the US has not managed in four years with far more money) is a legitimate tool of war to the American government. Since this electricity production would politically benefit the Revolutionary Guards, and perhaps financially benefit depending on the financial links, this seemingly legal, legitimate effort to obtain contracts from Iraq might actually.. or rather, also.. be supporting a terrorist organization in the view of the US.

Which is crazy stuff, but I bet that's what they'll say...

[flyarm]

2. so let me get this straight..the Iraqi's are not allowed to have people other than americans

and the brits help them restore their power..that has been all but destroyed by the americans and the brits??

that would be like my house burning down and i would not be able to get someone in who was capable of getting my power running again..i would have to have a foriegn country who burned my house down and destroyed the pooer to begin with ..and who let me live for 4 years without power.. fix it?

pinch me..i think i am losing it...

fly

[bigtree]

3. electricity production is improving, though

"Iraq's government is making gains in other important areas. Electricity production is improving."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070828-2.html