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| Iraq |
| Iraqis Stage Pro-Coalition Demonstrations |
| 2003-12-12 |
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2003 - Pro-coalition demonstrators gathered throughout Iraq Dec. 10 to protest terrorist actions and urge their fellow Iraqis to take action against anti-coalition forces. Coalition Provisional Authority officials reported major demonstrations in as many as eight cities by a sweeping representation of the Iraqi people: Kurds, Shiites, Sunnis and Christians among them. Although the CPA estimated participation at 15,000 to 20,000 people, Iraqi police and media sources cited numbers ranging from 100,000 to 1 million. The demonstrations, organized by the Iraqi Reconstruction and Development Council, took place in every major Iraqi city except Tikrit and Mosul, officials said. In Baghdad, the scene of the largest demonstration, an estimated 5,000 Iraqis carried banners and chanted slogans opposing violence by Saddam Hussein loyalists and other insurgents. A CPA spokesman said the demonstration was initially planned to take place over a one-mile area, but that it extended an additional half-mile as the crowd swelled beyond expectations. Iraqi Shia leader Moqtada Sadar -- who had previously been an outspoken opponent of the coalition -- spoke at the demonstration, condemning terrorism and the violence inflicted by the insurgents. In Ramadi, a former Baathist stronghold about 60 miles west of Baghdad, Iraqis demonstrated at the provincial council headquarters. U.S. Central Command officials said some 200 men, women and children carried banners and chanted slogans condemning terrorism — an encouraging development, they said, as Ramadi has been a site of persistent anti-coalition activities since post-war reconstruction efforts began. CENTCOM officials applauded the strong showing of support during the demonstrations, which they said demonstrates increased cooperation between local Iraqis and coalition forces. The increased cooperation, they said, reflects the Iraqi’s desire for a safe and secure environment and is resulting in more tipsters coming forward to provide information about insurgents and their activities. |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |
| #4 Speaking of Glenn (Reynolds not me) there's more. He quotes people who have, as he observes, some uglifying explanations. The late RAdm D. V. Gallery explained that the job of the Media [his Capitalization] is to shout from every rooftop that Freedom of the Press is what makes the sun rise every morning. |
| Posted by: Glenn (not Reynolds) 2003-12-12 2:04:52 PM |
| #3 This just plain pisses me off!!! This still has not been covered at all in the major media outlets. CNN: Nothing, BBC: Nothing, ABC News (USA): Not a peep. However everytime a 'watchdog group' (unidentified of course....) says some assinine thing its front page news. Everytime a terrorist (oops: resistance) so-called leader farts its front page news. This is clear proof that the major media wants us to lose and wants the return of Saddam and his execution squads and rape squads and mass murders. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2003-12-12 2:02:17 PM |
| #2 You'll enjoy Glenn's (the Reynolds one) take on this lack of coverage... |
| Posted by: ,comma 2003-12-12 1:08:56 PM |
| #1 Too bad we won't see allot of coverage in the media bout this. |
| Posted by: Yosemite Sam 2003-12-12 11:33:06 AM |