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| Iraq |
| Mosul relatively calm after yesterday's killings |
| 2003-04-16 |
| Mishaan Al-Juburi, an Iraqi Arab Sunni and self-appointed leader in Mosul, told Al Jazeera that Mosul has been relatively calm this morning, after yesterdayâs shootings that resulted in 17 deaths. âI think we had only one problem today. When some people tried to rob a bank, an exchange of fire took place between them and the police. Three thieves were killed. That is all, otherwise the city is fine,â he said. Oh, corpses! Corpses can be good... Earlier, Al Jazeera TVâs Waddah Khanfar had reported popular resentment at Al-Juburiâs appointment. However, the governor criticised these claims. âThis news is an exclusive invention of Al Jazeera. I was among the protesters yesterday, I was trying to calm them as they were throwing stones on American soldiers. What happened was that the US commander moved from the airport to the Governorâs palace and when the people saw US troops entering their city and raising the American flag, they became angry and started throwing stones on them,â he explained. âI am not the governor of Mosul. I am the one who liberated it, and preserved its security. I enjoy a warm relationship with the people of Mosul. The proof of this is in the fact that many have come to me for their needs.â He liberated it, did he? And he just has a lot of friends, y'know. People come to him for their needs. He's just a businessman. His right hand is named Genco, though Genco's getting on in years. His sons are Sonny, Fredo, and Michael... Blaming the US for the violence in Mosul today and yesterday, he said âthe Americans committed a strategic mistake. I was forced to take my place with my people, and leave the building and find myself a different headquarters. We left the Governorâs complex for the American ruler. The tension is between people and the American ruler, and I have nothing to do with it.â "They kicked me out of the governor's mansion! Can you believe they did that? Cheeze!" Al-Juburi is keen to promote a positive image and emphasised that Mosul is safe. âElectricity is back, drinking water is available, and police and traffic police are doing their work properly. I am near the civil defence department, and the fire fighters have nothing to do, because we have put down fires. The university resumed its activity, the ministry of education will begin its work again next Saturday.â "I dip my beak a little, sure, but everybody's happy..." Talking tough, he also gave a warning to the United States. âIt is not the right time to attack the Americans yet. They have to realize that people were happy to get rid of Saddam Hussein, but will never accept the US in Iraq. If the Americans ignore that, I think they are committing a big error.â "For now, they're the pezzonovantes, so I keep my head down. But someday..." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |