In Fallujah, civility returns

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0507/p01s02-woiq.html

PAYBACK: Marines compensate locals in Fallujah for damage to their water lines.
SCOTT PETERSON/GETTY IMAGES

FALLUJAH, IRAQ – The eyes of Abbas Aswad shine, as a US Marine lawyer counts out 16 crisp $50 bills, and places them in his hands. The money is compensation to the Mukhtar village, to fix several fragile water lines broken hours earlier by marines, as they set up positions at the nearby Fallujah railway station.

As this Iraqi front line quiets down - there hasn't been any shooting in Fallujah in days - the payout is part of a concerted American strategy to shift away from war, and to resume the campaign to win hearts and minds. Indeed, perceptions that Iraq is a nation spiraling out of US control began to change this week. Thursday, the US ratcheted up pressure on radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, by seizing the governor's office from his fighters in Najaf. Moderate Shiites and tribal leaders have put forward plans to persuade Mr. Sadr to turn himself in.

However, returning to a practice that's been absent for more than a month, a suicide attacker detonated a car bomb outside the so-called Green Zone that houses the US headquarters in Baghdad, killing five Iraqi civilians and a US soldier.

Back in Fallujah, the Iraqi general entrusted with pacifying the city said Thursday that US Marines must withdraw quickly so that stability can be restored. "If they stay it will hurt the confidence, and we have built confidence. They should leave so that there will be more calm," General Muhammad Latif told Reuters.

Until such an order arrives, US soldiers are doing what they can with cash, food, and medical assistance. And this kind of campaign can do more than settle a debt. "It takes away their ability to be mad at you.... It shows people that we are here for them, to improve their lives," says Capt. Kevin Coughlin, the staff judge advocate for 2nd Battalion 1st Marine Regiment who gave out the money. With such payments "you are making an apology for damage done."

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[saigon68]

1. "It takes away their ability to be mad at you", Capt. Kevin Coughlin,

This guy needs a drug test.

How about killing their mother Moran?

Or the little child of theirs blown to bits?

They'll smile at you today-- and tomorrow when your back is turned they'll cap your ass with a 9 mm pistol shot to the head.

And who will feel sorry for you Then?

Not the NeoCons-- they'll say you were fighting for "FREEDOM"

defined as their freedom to make an obscene corporate Profit

Garcon, More Champagne for the Directors

LOL at the FOOL WHO MADE THIS RIDICULOUS COMMENT.
(It takes away their ability to be mad at you)

[the Kelly Gang]

2. simple ideas from simple people

..sorry we blew your Mum away..heres fifty bucks for your trouble:puke: ..buy yourself some new kids.

[sweettater]

3. I am far, far beyond words

I can't believe I just read this. Is it any wonder the prison torture has taken place with complete idiots like this in charge. So....... a crisp $50 bill is going to make everything hunky dory!!!!!!!!!

[Mikimouse]

4. Hmmmm, kinda reminiscent of another part of US history...

YO, we're really sorry that we destroyed your village and killed your women and children, but here are some nice beads and a huge section of non-arable land that you can live on forever, in peace (at least until we find a gold or silver vein, or oil underneath it).

[MichaelUK]

5. History is a circle

[Mikimouse]

6. I agree, but would add one word, in the case of the US...

that word would be 'jerk'.