Phone calls risky at besieged Iraq base (Salvadoran troops in Najaf)

Phone calls risky at besieged Iraq base
Sun 18 April, 2004 10:10
By Gleb Bryanski

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Hunkering down in a military base in Najaf as hostile Shi'ite militiamen control the streets outside, the head of the U.S.-led administration in the Iraqi shrine city says even making a phone call is dangerous.

"If you watch the movies you would think that life as a diplomat is all cocktail parties and receptions," Phil Kosnett said on Saturday in the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) headquarters inside a base defended by Salvadoran soldiers that has come under frequent mortar and sniper attack.

"That is not what it is about," he said. "I have people who are civilian information technology or administrative contractors who have been out lugging machine gun ammunition at forward fighting positions. My people have exposed themselves to sniper fire so that they could make a satellite phone call."

The base has been virtually under siege ever since militiamen loyal to rebel Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr launched an uprising earlier this month. One Salvadoran soldier based in the city has been killed and several wounded.

(more)

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=494948§ion=news

"I have people who are civilian information technology or administrative contractors

who have been out lugging machine gun ammunition at forward fighting positions.

...what is going on in Iraq. It would be hilarious if it wasn't so damn deadly serious.

Gee, how do you think you got into this situation?

The way they put it was "who was the GENIUS that got us into this." LOL.

How about the Oliver Hardy line, "This is another fine mess you've gotten me into."


:D

"The great majority of Najafees were furious when Sadr's militia took control of the city. They desperately want to see him gone," Kosnett said."

The great majority want to see him gone? Then why the fuck aren't they fighting these "few" thugs themselves? I don't believe a word coming out of his mouth.

I see no evidence that Sadr represents the majority in Iraq. However - that does not mean they want to die fighting him; or die fighting for the US; or want theoccupation to continue; or that they are not alienated by the US occupation.

He said majority of Najaf residents.

"They don't want to die fighting him?" Well, I think they better learn how to defend themselves because we aren't gonna be there forever.