US occupation bogged down by resistance, political woes

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20031006/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_6months&cid=1514&ncid=1480

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Half a year after sweeping Saddam Hussein from power, US-led forces can claim progress in rebuilding Iraq, but are still bogged down by stubborn resistance and mounting diplomatic and political woes.

If their three-week desert dash to capture Baghdad on April 9 was hailed as an awesome display of military might, the Americans' reconstruction effort has been criticised by many as halting and poorly planned.

Even some of Washington's staunchest allies acknowledge problems in taming the volatile country of 25 million people that is ridden with resentments and a cauldron of communal tensions.

"I readily accept that the picture on the ground in Iraq today is not satisfactory," said British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, whose government is taking heat at home for participating in the invasion.

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[madrchsod]

1. my friend

has just talked to a guardsman who just returned this week from iraq. the situation over there is worse that what we have been told.i told my friend that he needs to speak out but refuses because the army has threatened him..that is the first thing they are told-do not speak to the press and anyone on tv is a "plant" by the army. i`m going to get more info tomorrow and hope to post later in the day. from what little she told me it`s worse than nam ever was.

[alcuno]

2. Eventually these people will get rotated out.

And we'll get to hear more of the truth.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. ___ we'll get to hear more of the truth. ___ - Ya right !!

Sorry -

- not "flaming" you

- but we still are trying to sort out the "truth" about WW2

- Governments seem to be very good at hiding/distorting the truth


(sigh)

[bluestateguy]

4. My conscience is clear

I am so glad I opposed this foolish excursion into a country that provided very little threat to the United States (Iran, N. Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria and even Pakistan represent far greater threats).

Had people like me been listened to, this would not be happening.

[ConcernedCanuk]

5. Don't furget us Canuks up here - WE are a threat to the WH

not military-wise - we all know that

- but by being a PEACEFULL nation

- and the BFEE is obviously a war machine

- we are NOT

- and I will miss our Jean Chretien funny faced Prime Minister

- and remember his words

- "We will not participate in this war - we will NOT go to war for a regime change - that's not how the world is supposed to work"

- Lord knows, if Jean had been in the WH - Iraq would not have "happened"

Proud, - but Sad Canuk