Iraqi Security Officials Open Fire on Protesters, Killing One

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBTZC05T6E.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Security officials opened fire on a crowd of protesters Sunday, killing one, and al-Qaida's arm in Iraq posted a video purportedly showing an Iraqi Interior Ministry official being killed.

Iraq's newly elected lawmakers, meanwhile, were expected to meet Tuesday to choose a speaker and two deputies, according to a National Assembly statement released Sunday. The lawmakers met on March 16, but have repeatedly postponed a second meeting because of negotiations over Cabinet positions; it was unclear whether they would name the country's new president on Tuesday, expected to be Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani.

Violence persisted Sunday, with bodyguards for Science and Technology Minister Rashad Mandan Omar opening fire on a crowd of protesters who had gathered in front of the ministry's offices to demand their full wages, said Hamid Balasem, an engineer at the ministry.

Balasem said about 50 ministry guards were demonstrating because they said they were paid only part of their wages. It was unclear why the guards opened fire.

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[NYC]

1. Protesting for unpaid wages,

and they were shot. Some democracy.

[manic expression]

2. "Democracy" and "freedom", indeed....

This is just another fine example of the freedom we've brought to Iraq.

:puke:

[Hissyspit]

3. AP: Iraq Police Fire On Protesters, Kill One

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050327/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_050326211369

Iraq Police Fire on Protesters, Kill One
By EDWARD HARRIS, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Security officials opened fire on a crowd of protesters Sunday, killing one, and al-Qaida's arm in Iraq (news - web sites) posted a video purportedly showing an Iraqi Interior Ministry official being killed.

- snip -

Violence persisted Sunday, with bodyguards for Science and Technology Minister Rashad Mandan Omar opening fire on a crowd of protesters who had gathered in front of the ministry's offices to demand their full wages, said Hamid Balasem, an engineer at the ministry.

Balasem said about 50 ministry guards were demonstrating because they said they were paid only part of their wages. It was unclear why the guards opened fire.

Also Sunday, insurgents hit a police patrol with a roadside bomb in the southern oil city of Basra, injuring one nearby civilian, Lt. Col. Karim Ali Al-Zaydi said. They also damaged an oil pipeline in northern Iraq, halting exports to Turkey. The pipeline has been targeted in the past.

MORE AT LINK

[kevinmc]

4. "The Bush" has trained them well.

[0007]

6. ... very well trained!

[JohnyCanuck]

7. They'll soon be ready to face a real challenge.

Taking out an independant minded journalist.

[bowens43]

5. Maybe there won't be an Islamic government in Iraq

It sounds like they're becoming republcans.