Article

2004-04-09 Iraq-Jordan

90 Minute Cease Fire Over, Residents escaping to Naimiyah

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Posted by CobraCommander 2004-04-09 10:02:07 AM|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I'm not sure what time Kimmet made these statements, but FOXNEWS has an update:

There were reports that the suspension had been canceled, but Kimmitt told Fox News it was holding.

"Maybe some of the confusion has been we still have Marines in contact with the enemy," Kimmitt said.

The top U.S. civilian administrator, L. Paul Bremer, confirmed the offensive halt.

"As of noon today coalition forces have initiated a unilateral suspension of offensive operations in Fallujah to allow for a meeting between members of the Governing Council, local Muslim leadership and the leadership of anti-coalition forces," Bremer said.

Shooting was still heard in the city after the noon suspension began.

Posted by CobraCommander 2004-04-09 10:38:34 AM|| [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,116626,00.html] 2004-04-09 10:38:34 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 A meeting for what? This little insurgency needs to be snuffed out. End of story. Since it's pretty damn obvious that these disillusioned Baathists aren't going to go quietly, then the solution is to kill them, and kill them ALL.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2004-04-09 11:11:31 AM|| 2004-04-09 11:11:31 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 We can't risk pissing off the rest of the population if we are seen as killing civilians left and right. It's bullshit, but we have to at least make the appearance of trying.

Posted by Vis 2004-04-09 11:27:19 AM|| 2004-04-09 11:27:19 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Didn't say anything about killing civilians, unless all of Fallujah's residents are disillusioned Baathists. We're trying to set them straight, and there's some that don't want to go down that road. Those "some" need a bullet in their head, no questions asked. And since appearances seem to carry a lot of meaning with those types in the Middle East, being willing to spill blood without feeling a need to negotiate sends a nice, clear message.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2004-04-09 11:43:06 AM|| 2004-04-09 11:43:06 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 I like the fact that they want to kick Al-Jizwad's ass out of the town. They should be barred from the whole country. A-holes.

Posted by remote man 2004-04-09 11:43:12 AM|| 2004-04-09 11:43:12 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 For everyone to comment on, and maybe Old Spook knows: Has our intel folks, i.e. CIA ever thought of infiltrating Al-Jiz for the purpose of finding out how they're on the scene so quick? Seems to me if tips are flying we could get in on them. Just a thought.

Posted by Jarhead 2004-04-09 12:17:11 PM|| 2004-04-09 12:17:11 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Meeting for what? The insurgents are being given an offer they can't refuse - Surrender or Die!

Posted by Anonymous4105 2004-04-09 12:48:08 PM|| 2004-04-09 12:48:08 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 This article has a certain odor to it. I'm not buyin' it. The jihadists (Al Jiz included) have little or no understanding of the West's concept of combat....they're completely misinterpreting what is taking place there, and it does not help.

Posted by Rex Mundi 2004-04-09 12:50:55 PM|| 2004-04-09 12:50:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Has our intel folks, i.e. CIA ever thought of infiltrating Al-Jiz for the purpose of finding out how they're on the scene so quick?

I'm pretty sure it's still illegal for US agents to pose as reporters.

Stupid rule, especially since al'Jazeera appears to be working alongside every jihadi group on the planet, but there you have it.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-09 2:13:51 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com/] 2004-04-09 2:13:51 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 RC isnt that a prohibition on CIA operatives using (US) journalistic cover? Would it really apply to running an agent in a foreign press org?

In other news, the Govt of the Peoples Republic of China just declared that every member of the Peoples Liberation Army is a journalist, and will get a column in the peoples daily, just as space allows.

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-09 2:18:36 PM|| 2004-04-09 2:18:36 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 LH, you're right it only applies to U.S. press corps. I think I got the idea from the Clancy book "without remorse".

Posted by Jarhead 2004-04-09 2:28:52 PM|| 2004-04-09 2:28:52 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 If I'm reading this story right there were 300 killed in Fallujah. What have our losses been? 4?

Assuming those killed are almost all combatants, that's a pretty hefty ratio in our favor. So why would we negotiate anything?

Posted by RMcLeod 2004-04-09 3:10:14 PM|| 2004-04-09 3:10:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 basically to provide some political cover to the IGC who are feeling alot of heat from Iraqis, esp in Baghdad, who are under the impression that civilians are getting hurt in Fallujah. You want to show youre reasonable, and maybe give civvies a chance to leave.

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-04-09 3:21:14 PM|| 2004-04-09 3:21:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 I think that has to do with what you call a civilian. A women packing an AK47 is not a civilian but a combatant.

Plus you have their oh-so couragous and brave practice of hiding behind women and children. We should get pictures of this to show on local TV as well as the threats to burn alive hostages and the like.

Posted by CrazyFool 2004-04-09 3:25:58 PM|| 2004-04-09 3:25:58 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 Remember what Kimmitt said earlier - that the response would be deliberate but tough. The Fallujah operation is going to be something that the rebels will remember for a long, long time. It's like the clearing of Hue (also done by Marines - watch Full Metal Jacket*), but with fewer US casualties and less full-bore firepower.

* Full Metal Jacket's story line is weird in the sense that there is no way a platoon of Marines would go after a single sniper. As far as I can tell, they're trained to take care of the problem by either calling in fire support or backing away.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2004-04-09 3:31:26 PM|| 2004-04-09 3:31:26 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 From Fox News: U.S. soldiers used loud speakers to warn people in Arabic that if they had weapons in the area, they would be shot.

The gloves are off - no more celebratory firing in the air for the rebel forces.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2004-04-09 3:43:43 PM|| 2004-04-09 3:43:43 PM|| Front Page Top

#17 Talk about turning points in history...we may be witnessing one. As Tom Friedman said months ago (paraphrased), now that the Pandora's Box is open we have to be willing to go all the way...or the Western World is lost.

Posted by anymouse 2004-04-09 3:49:01 PM|| 2004-04-09 3:49:01 PM|| Front Page Top

#18 I like the Pandora's box metaphor. Now its been opened, you can't close the lid and walk away. You have to deal with the contents as they emerge.

Posted by Phil B 2004-04-09 8:04:18 PM|| 2004-04-09 8:04:18 PM|| Front Page Top

#19 The gloves are off - no more celebratory firing in the air for the rebel forces.

That should have been one of the first new laws from the IGC, alongside an explanation that "if the Americans think you have a weapon pointed in their direction, they will kill you, so it's best not to even risk it".

We need to treat gunsex like the British treated suttee: "It's our tradition to return fire".

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-09 10:57:18 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com/] 2004-04-09 10:57:18 PM|| Front Page Top

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