*IRAQ: latest news and developments

[joe dick]

links:
basra attack

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2921091.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,930983,00.html


convoy 'friendly fire'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2921743.stm

washington post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39294-2003Apr6.html

 

[whiterose]

1011: Reports say a convoy of Russian embassy diplomats, said to include the Russian ambassador, has come under fire as they were evacuating from Baghdad. Several people are said to have been injured.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2921465.stm

 

[whiterose]

Human remains found in an abandoned Iraqi military base are those of Iranian soldiers killed in the Iran-Iraq war, an Iranian general has said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2921711.stm

 

[whiterose]

US airlifts Iraqi opposition
fighters into southern Iraq

The airlift, which began on Friday night, will put about 1,000 Iraqi opposition forces into a base in southern Iraq controlled by coalition forces, ABC television reported on Sunday.
The force is under the control of the Iraqi National Congress and its leader Ahmed Chalabi, who will accompany his troops into Iraq.
http://www.rediff.com/us/2003/apr/06iraq2.htm
Profile: Ahmed Chalabi

According to the Qatari newspaper Al-Watan, Mr Chalabi and his movement "are failures and are not even qualified to run a grocery shop".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/not_in_website/syndication/monitoring/media_reports/2291649.stm

 

[whiterose]

Kurdish forces, backed by the US, are advancing south

Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress force heading up from the south.

Looks like the US is setting up an old fashioned civil war.

 

[Balbi]

BBC on Peter Arnett

Just read this on the beeb.

Interesting info.

 

[wizard61]

US begins the process of 'regime change'

http://www.observer.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,930794,00.html

The US is ready to install the first leg of an interim government for the new Iraq as early as Tuesday, even while fighting still rages in Baghdad, officials said yesterday.

America's readiness to establish the first stages of a civil administration to run post-war Iraq comes at lightning speed and constitutes a rebuff to European ambitions to stall on the process until some kind of role for the United Nations is agreed.

 

[sub]

British move forcefully into Basra

 

[Lock&Light]

I have to say, and I know this will be responded to, I am very relieved to see how well the British troops are being recieved in Basra.

Needless to say, I expect much the same later in Baghdad.

 

[DJ Squelch]

EST On several of the major media outlets today I watched several Washingotn politicians say that they were positive that Iraq had relocated its weapons of mass destruction to Syria. Outlets included CNN, MSNBC and FOX. Sen. Warner was one of them

from Agonist. Anyone heard anything more about this?
An article saying similar things from 7th Feb in
NewsMax

 

[sub]

EST On several of the major media outlets today I watched several Washingotn politicians say that they were positive that Iraq had relocated its weapons of mass destruction to Syria. Outlets included CNN, MSNBC and FOX. Sen. Warner was one of them

hmmm....justifiable reason to invade Syria next...wish I could change my vote on the "where next" poll

 

[Lock&Light]

Originally posted by sub
hmmm....justifiable reason to invade Syria next...wish I could change my vote on the "where next" poll

If it should be shown that Syria has accepted WMDs what would you suggest as a reasonable reaction from the rest of the world?

 

[ernestolynch]

Israel has 'WMD's, Locket, you offering?

 

[Bernie_Gunther]

If it could be shown? Shown according to what standards of proof? The standards by which the US linked Saddam to Bin Laden? The standards by which the US determined who was responsible for flying planes into the World Trade Centre? Or the standards of a court of law?

 

[Bajie]

the russian envoy was thought to be caught in crossfire, though bullets from a M16 where removed from the stomach of one victim. I wonder how the russian gouverment are going to deal with this one.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2922117.stm

 

[Loki]

Originally posted by Lock&Light I have to say, and I know this will be responded to, I am very relieved to see how well the British troops are being recieved in Basra.

Well, I'm sure if I was an Iraqi faced with a huge advancing column of tanks and assorted weaponry and a camera pointed at me I'd feel inclined to cheer, even if I didn't mean it. I'm sure a lot of the relief was geniune though.

Meanwhile some breaking news: Three UK soldiers killed in attack on Basra: defence ministry

 

[sub]

I copied DJ Squelch's find over to Who's Next.

Let's leave this thread for new developments only

 

[Lock&Light]

Originally posted by sub
Let's leave this thread for new developments only

No-one else is.

 

[john x]

Originally posted by Lock&Light
If it should be shown that Syria has accepted WMDs what would you suggest as a reasonable reaction from the rest of the world?

Well for a start we should all go down on bended knee and thank the US for conquering Iraq and then ask them please if they would go and invade Syria next.

john x

 

[Loki]

Let's leave this thread for new developments only

Why? It's not as interesting that way. If you just want new developments you can go here or here. A bit of analysis/commentary along with the article is fine by me. This thread's been pretty well behaved so far

 

[Lock&Light]

Originally posted by Loki
A bit of analysis/commentary along with the article is fine by me. This thread's been pretty well behaved so far

I love it when, among the dross, an occasional gem stands out.

I couldn't agree more, Loki.

 

[Loki]

NBC Correspondent David Bloom Dies in Iraq

(Hope the link works - I've not had much luck with posting links recently but it's on Reuters and Yahoo News otherwise [edit - yep it works])

 

[sub]

actually....sometimes I read the latest developments and just have to comment on it.

and as for those links....I can't get the bbc site It throws me out and shuts down my brower <sulk>

 

[pbman]

US flag flyes over palace in downtown baghdad.

 

[sub]

Originally posted by pbman
US flag flyes over palace in downtown baghdad.

Good, now clean up the mess you left and go home!!!

 

[pbman]

Corection its a university of georga flag.

"We own the city" company comander says.

Next he is going to shower in sadam's palace.

Good, now clean up the mess you left and go home!!!

When we are done.

We will be happy to leave.

 

[john x]

US tanks ...........

seen in the centre of Bagdhad. Fierce fighting by the river.

Aid workers say that there is a crisis in Baghdad hospitals, which are unable to cope with the ever increasing influx of casualties.

john x

 

[pbman]

Fat lady is starting to sing.

Military inteligence says two day for total collapse.

 

[Hawkeye Pearce]

"This is the end, my only friend, the end!"

Well my only hope is that the regime collapses finally so the Iraqis can receive the help they need. After a hundred years of being the victims of colonialism and realpolitik they deserve something better.

Hawk

 

[Lock&Light]

The US Military are still only describing this action as a "raid". Possibly they're not sure of holding what they've gained today. Or it could be misinformation to confuse the regime forces.