|
Post by tpfkalarry on Jun 29, 2009 21:29:41 GMT -5
AP-BAGHDAD - Iraqi forces assumed formal control of Baghdad and other cities Tuesday after American troops handed over security in urban areas in a defining step toward ending the U.S. combat role in the country. A countdown clock broadcast on Iraqi TV ticked to zero as the midnight deadline passed for U.S. combat troops to finish their pullback to bases outside cities.
"The withdrawal of American troops is completed now from all cities after everything they sacrificed for the sake of security," said Sadiq al-Rikabi, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. "We are now celebrating the restoration of sovereignty."
The Pentagon did not offer any comment to mark the passing of the deadline.
Fireworks, not bombings, colored the Baghdad skyline late Monday, and thousands attended a party in a park where singers performed patriotic songs. Loudspeakers at police stations and military checkpoints played recordings of similar tunes throughout the day, as Iraqi military vehicles decorated with flowers and national flags patrolled the capital.
"All of us are happy — Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds on this day," Waleed al-Bahadili said as he celebrated at the park. "The Americans harmed and insulted us too much."
Al-Maliki declared a public holiday and proclaimed June 30 as "National Sovereignty Day."
Midnight's handover to Iraqi forces filled many citizens with pride but also trepidation that government forces are not ready and that violence will rise. Shiites fear more bombings by Sunni militants; Sunnis fear that the Shiite-dominated Iraqi security forces will give them little protection.
Bush' Force Agreement Starts Now!!
Should the Iraqi's be so happy about this? How long will it take al-Malaki to realize there was a reason Saddam stayed in power so long? They didn't hail us as liberators nor do they seem to appreciate what their freedom cost us. We are still tied to them but for how long? At what point will we agree to disagree with them. I don't think we will ever be close unless they attack Iran again.
Who wants to bet that if Iraq goes back to sectarian violence, conservatives will blame Obama. Will they remember that this is the date set forth in the agreement Bush forged with Iraq.
|
|
|
Post by jdredd on Jun 29, 2009 23:22:28 GMT -5
If this is truly the end of our 18-year War on Iraq I will be thrilled. Wars are always easier to start than end. And if Bush gets the credit for a "victory", it's fine with me as long as it's over. Historians will decide if it was worth it. But don't forget Saddam was a son of Iraq, so don't be too surprised if a Saddam clone rises to power eventually.
|
|
CM
Rookie
Posts: 0
|
Post by CM on Jun 30, 2009 0:22:21 GMT -5
Its time it’s about time, proud day for Iraqis but short lived. Today or 5 years from now same result, the country will be in total chaos in 24 months. Malaki will flee or be dead. If we were talking Iranians completely different outcome, but Iranians are miles ahead of Iraqis. So what does all that mean it means it was for not. I hope I’m wrong but I have zero faith in the Iraqis to manage their country.
|
|
|
Post by bruce on Jun 30, 2009 6:09:13 GMT -5
I don't often agree with CM (what an understatement!) but I do agree with him on Iraq ans their inability to self govern as WE think they should. I watched "Farewell Israel" on Sunday, and the Muslim mind simply isn't in-sync with Western thinking. To Muslims, peace simply means lack of fighting. Our insistence on elections in Palestine backfired on us, there is no tradition of democracy and they will do things their way, not ours. Nationalism is unknown generally in the Muslim world. A Muslim in Egypt has more in common with a Muslim in Britain than he does with an Egyptian Christian. The prognosis is not good for Israel's survival. While too long and too much information was presented, the documentary "Farewell Israel" should be seen to get a grasp of the middle east.
|
|
CM
Rookie
Posts: 0
|
Post by CM on Jun 30, 2009 12:05:28 GMT -5
It did not take long. Car Bombing Kills at Least 24 in Iraqi City of KirkukBAGHDAD — A car bomb exploded in a crowded outdoor market in the northern city of Kirkuk on Tuesday, killing at least 24 people, police said, a deadly reminder of the challenges facing the Iraqi government even as it celebrates the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from cities. The bombing marred what had otherwise been a festive day as Iraqis marked what the government decreed National Sovereignty Day. www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529564,00.html?test=latestnews
|
|
|
Post by johng on Jun 30, 2009 12:31:50 GMT -5
Ok we all seem to be in agreement thus far. Now what?
The force agreement was Bush', the day has come and I heard the General this morning applaud the Iraqi forces and Police in the transfer of protection, I saw people singing and dancing, fireworks, etc. It seems to have lasted 8 hours or so...
Obama is in charge now, Bush is gone completely out of sight, US troops are loaded up on the out skirts of the country and the first of many Car bombs have ignited; What is the CIC going to direct now?
This is where the rubber meets Obama not Bush - either Bush!
|
|
CM
Rookie
Posts: 0
|
Post by CM on Jun 30, 2009 12:59:09 GMT -5
Ok we all seem to be in agreement thus far. Now what? Handholding is over, we let them go for better or worst. I predict there will be massive casualties in the next 24 months. Maybe it’s the World’s Policemen thread is where this picks up. Obama will be forced with the decision to move troops back in or not. I hope he picks not.
|
|
|
Post by johng on Jun 30, 2009 13:01:28 GMT -5
Ok we all seem to be in agreement thus far. Now what? Handholding is over, we let them go for better or worst. I predict there will be massive casualties in the next 24 months. Maybe it’s the World’s Policemen thread is where this picks up. Obama will be forced with the decision to move troops back in or not. I hope he picks not. Fair Enough!
|
|
|
Post by tpfkalarry on Jun 30, 2009 16:14:01 GMT -5
History,
There have been times since that day in March when it seemed like the whole thing might just go our way. A new pro-western moderate regime in Iraq to work with the other moderate regimes. Changes to the role of women in Iraq increasing the pressure on other governments to follow suit. For a while it looked like there might be peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Then it all kind of caught on fire. Then we had the surge and a lot of the other factors seemed to be lining up just right and right now they seem to have their best chance for peace in a long long time. Maybe taking us out of the equation will be the impetus to settle their long standing disputes. Maybe the safety net just enabled inaction. I wish I believed that. I still think that there will never be long-term peace and prosperity in the middle east until the Israeli-Palestinian dispute is settled.
|
|
|
Post by johng on Jun 30, 2009 16:32:46 GMT -5
If History is the determination factor, it will never change.
|
|
CM
Rookie
Posts: 0
|
Post by CM on Jun 30, 2009 19:37:55 GMT -5
Maybe taking us out of the equation will be the impetus to settle their long standing disputes. Maybe the safety net just enabled inaction. Shit or get off the pot, I think they shit and their future is circling the porcelain drain. Me too but fantasyland really is fantasy.
|
|
|
Post by johng on Jul 1, 2009 18:26:37 GMT -5
Mark have you heard from your Iranian friends lately? The silence is concerning.
|
|
|
Post by jdredd on Jul 15, 2009 20:18:28 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Tired in CV on Jul 16, 2009 0:22:51 GMT -5
jd, you only need post the first link, you can then view the other pages!
|
|
|
Post by jdredd on Jul 16, 2009 0:28:46 GMT -5
thx, tired
|
|