War, pollution endangering Iraq river (Tigris a "stagnant sewer")

[Barrett808]

War, pollution endangering Iraq river
By BUSHRA JUHI, Associated Press Writer
Mon Nov 13, 6:37 AM ET

BAGHDAD, Iraq - For 6,000 years, the river that flows through the heart of Baghdad nurtured the people who live along its banks — providing water, food, transport and recreation. But three years of war, plus pollution and politics, have transformed the storied Tigris into a stagnant sewer — and increasingly, into a graveyard for the victims of civil conflict.

Some see it as a metaphor for this troubled country, reeling after years of war, deprivation and misrule.

Police now routinely haul from the Tigris the bodies of victims of sectarian death squads. The bodies of 15 unidentified torture victims were found floating on a single recent day in the Tigris in Suwayrah, 25 miles south of Baghdad, said police Lt. Mohammed al-Shamari.

In a recurring and horrific scene, all — presumably murdered around Baghdad — had been blindfolded and bound at the wrists and ankles before being shot in the head and chest and dumped in the river.

In an effort to keep the river channel clear, Iraqi authorities years ago built a series of 14 barriers near Suwayrah, with giant iron nets designed to trap plants floating downstream.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061113/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_troubled_waters

[nam78_two]

1. Man we certainly did a number on that country

:(

[lyonn]

2. Too bad bush isn't capable of feeling shame and regret

He is responsible for destroying a country that had little to do with anything critical to the U.S., other than oil. Our election shows people have realized that they were lied to and that we had no reason to invade.

We need out quickly and we should be responsible for the reconstruction of what we have destroyed, and not by Haliburton! Iraqis should have been given the jobs from the start to improve the country, not Haliburton.