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Iraq
Baghdadis endorse security plan, others voice doubts
2007-02-15
The 'others' are Westerners, mostly human rights activists, who are pining for the days of Saddam. I'm editing them out, you can click the link if you really want to read all the whining.
BAGHDAD - War-weary Baghdadis awoke Wednesday to the reality of a long-awaited but strict new security regime, hoping against hope that this latest operation will stem a rising tide of bloodshed. But while many Iraqis and the US military welcomed the apparent resolve of the Iraqi government to finally take the situation in hand, some outside observers expressed concern that the plan could backfire.

‘I support this plan and am sure it will succeed,’ said Amer Mohammed, a 29-year-old Sunni who works for a computer company. ‘All Iraqis will have to accept disadvantages like roads being cut by checkpoints, or raids. An hour’s pain is better than every hour’s pain,’ he said, as long tailbacks snaked through the city from police roadblocks.

Among the details revealed by Lieutenant General Abboud Gambar were the closure of borders with Iran and Syria, increased search and arrest powers, a longer ovenright curfew and a ban on civilians carrying weapons. ‘Searches will be done on public streets, and precautionary measures will be applied on packages, mail, messages and communications and telecommunications equipment,’ he added. His combined security force of Iraqi police and soldiers will be empowered to search homes, cars and individuals, and ‘all those who breach the terms of this decree will be judged under the law on terrorism.’

Yasir Al Khattab, a young Shia, said: ‘We will put up with the problems. We just don’t want it to be another big show.’

‘We support the plan fully because it is better than seeing our relatives and friends killed by car bombs and violence,’ Khattab said. He said, however: ‘I am optimistic because I feel that this plan builds on the experience of earlier plans. They now know the defects.’

Mohammed added: ‘I believe this is the last hope to maintain security in Baghdad. We are in constant danger. We feel the government is now determined to restore peace.’
Posted by:Steve White

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