Religious Fervor Underpins Fight Vs. U.S.

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031105/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_fighting_in_fallujah&cid=540&ncid=1473

<snip>The Americans set up a police force and empowered a city council elected by tribal sheiks. But even they don't seem to support the coalition.

"Fallujah does not accept occupation or enslavement," a police captain, who did not want to be identified, said from behind his desk at the office of the U.S.-backed mayor. "Everyone who is involved in the resistance is a proud Iraqi fighting for his nation."

"We are here to maintain security in the city, but we are not really sure what the Americans are doing," the officer said.

He was one of a few policemen who showed up Tuesday at the mayor's office, which was attacked and set on fire last Friday by angry townspeople. The U.S.-appointed mayor, Taha Bedawi, hasn't been to his office since the attack.

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[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. US ineptness underpins deterioration of situation in Iraq

Since coming into Iraq, the US has not tried to stabilize the country or make the infrastructure work. Soldiers are not trained in the culture of Iraq, and have done things, such as using sniffer dogs, which have enraged many Iraqis. Then there is the Great Mistake, George Bush, condoning or at least not criticizing anti Islamic statements made by TV preachers and one of his own generals. I'm not surprised many resist the American occupation, but don't think it is all religious in nature. Just the bit you quoted gives one the sense of native pride rather than fighting in the name of religion. Of course, Bush would like Americans to think it is crazy Muslims and their relgion responsible for all of this-that is the definate impression one gets from the words and actions of this Mal-Administration.