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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jacob Snyder who wrote (113488)	8/30/2003 5:09:00 PM
From: quehubo	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Three Held Over Iraq Bombing, Russia Backs UN Force 37 minutes ago Add Top Stories - Reuters to My Yahoo! By Joseph Logan NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. forces said Saturday three people had been detained over a bombing that killed a top Iraqi cleric and scores of followers, as Russia backed sending a U.N.-sponsored force to Iraq (news - web sites) -- even under U.S. command. Reuters Photo AFP Slideshow: Iraq Blair In Court For Arms Expert Death Inquiry (Reuters Video) Latest headlines: · 19 Arrested in Bombing of Mosque in Iraq AP - 7 minutes ago · Three Held Over Iraq Bombing, Russia Backs UN Force Reuters - 37 minutes ago · Saudi Extremists Said Fighting in Iraq AP - 51 minutes ago Special Coverage Friday's bombing triggered widespread international condemnation, and Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) said he was in constant contact with U.S. and European leaders to find a way to help Iraq after the U.S.-led war that ousted Saddam Hussein (news - web sites). President Bush (news - web sites)'s administration has urged more countries to send troops to Iraq and recently softened its opposition to the idea of a U.N.-sponsored force as it battles to stabilize the country. "Regarding the possible participation of international forces in Iraq under U.S. command, we don't see anything wrong with this," Putin told a news conference on the Italian island of Maddalena, near Sardinia. "It is possible, but it would require a decision from the U.N. Security Council," he said. Russia, along with two other heavyweight Security Council members Germany and France, opposed the U.S.-led war that toppled Saddam on April 9. The three countries now favor a larger role for the United Nations (news - web sites) in Iraq. Since Bush declared major combat over on May 1, U.S. troops have faced persistent and often deadly attacks and the U.S.-led administration in Baghdad has been plagued by sabotage to the country's protentially lucrative oil industry. Washington has blamed the attacks, in which 65 U.S. and 11 British soldiers have been killed, mainly on die-hard Saddam loyalists. But it has made increasing mention of the presence of al Qaeda and other foreign fighters. Hospital officials said at least 95 people were killed in the car bombing in the Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Najaf, the most deadly attack in postwar Iraq and one that underscored the huge task U.S.-led forces face in trying to bring about peace. Prominent among the dead was Ayatollah Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim, a moderate Shi'ite religious and political leader who advocated cautious cooperation with the U.S.-led administration. SHI'ITE ANGER MOUNTS Most Shi'ites have blamed Saddam supporters for the attack, but some analysts have suggested rival Shi'ite factions opposed to Hakim's moderate stance could be to blame. Shi'ites make up around 60 percent of Iraq's 26 million population and were repressed under Saddam, a Sunni Muslim. Tens of thousands of Shi'ites thronged Najaf Saturday to mourn those killed after Friday prayers at the city's Imam Ali mosque -- one of the holiest sites in Shi'ite Islam. In Baghdad, thousands marched to lament the death of Hakim. The marchers warned of dire consequences if their leaders or shrines were attacked again. "We were giving everyone a chance after the war. But we have lost our patience," shouted one man. Fellow marchers suggested revenge options -- jihad (holy struggle), shootings, bombings. After Friday's bombing, Najaf residents turned over to U.S. troops two people they believed looked like outsiders, U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Woodbridge told Reuters. "They are now being held by the coalition and have undergone questioning," said Woodbridge, adding Iraqi police had detained a suspect who would be handed over to U.S. forces. Hakim led the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq group, which was represented on the Iraqi Governing Council that Washington appointed as a first step toward achieving its goal of transforming Iraq into a democracy. The Governing Council, which includes Hakim's brother, declared three days of national mourning after the attack in Najaf, some 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad. Weeping relatives gathered to collect the bodies of loved ones from the mortuary and carried coffins wrapped in black shrouds with verses from the Koran through the streets. "This is the greatest crime ever against the Muslims in this holiest place," said Sheikh Ali Jabbar, a cleric at the Imam Ali mosque, as women dressed in black slapped their heads in grief. The mosque contains the tomb of Ali, son-in-law and cousin of Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. Thousands of shoes lay around the mosque, left behind by worshippers and scattered in all directions by the bomb. One cleric said Hakim's funeral would begin in Baghdad on Sunday morning and later move on to Najaf. Dubai-based Al Arabiya television said Hakim's body had arrived in Baghdad. Iraq's U.S.-led occupiers have had to deal lately with more sophisticated and larger attacks. The United Nations headquarters in Baghdad and the Jordanian embassy were both hit by major bomb attacks earlier this month, killing scores of people including the chief U.N. envoy to Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

To: Jacob Snyder who wrote (113488)	8/30/2003 6:02:23 PM
From: Sig	Respond to of 281500

<<<Under the Islamic Republic of Iraq, after we leave in defeat, oil production will be revived (not before), and those fanatics will sell oil to France, Germany, and Japan. Exactly the same way Libya does. >>> Here I believe Quehubo will be right, that we will soon get support. National leaders are accustomed to dealing with opposition and enemies, They faced considerable opposition in getting elected. Not as emotional as average persons, must always work with an enemy somewhere. IMO Bush and Chirac may not be friends, but practical considerations should end their differences.in some areas.. If France is to be any kind of recognized world leader, they will have to show some desire to overcome the plight of the Iraqis And they also need some of the many contracts that come out of the rebuilding efforts. Its a win-win situation, they gain in reputation, they gain some contracts, we start buying their wine and water again, Iraq and the US gets help they need. I expect a new UN Resolution to be supported by France and passed which will let the Indians and others send in troops Attacks on the UN, on the RC, and on the Religious leaders shines different light on the situation when thay strike anytime and anyone without discretion. . Sig @ guessingagain.com

To: Jacob Snyder who wrote (113488)	8/30/2003 9:43:50 PM
From: lorne	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

jacob. You said...." There is the obvious choice, of doing what they did in Vietnam: say smugly, "the Yanks have got themselves in a mess; glad we stayed out of it.".... So you think the french said smugly...." the Yanks have got themselves in a mess; glad we stayed out of it.".... Don't think they said that...think they were to busy licking their wounds. In Vietnam the USA was trying to clean up another mess created by and left by the french who were running with their tail between their legs. Sort of looks like the USA were standing by their allies unlike france who turns on their greatest ally. a bit of history....you ever hear of french Indo-China. ---------------------------------- ..." The French had underestimated the strength of the Vietminh and the popular support it had with the populace. Despite massive American support, the French forces sustained a major defeat in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu. This defeat convinced the French to end their attempt to control Vietnam. A cease-fire was arranged.".... sasked.gov.sk.ca Background: France occupied all of Vietnam by 1884. Independence was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by communist forces under HO Chi Minh, who took control of the north. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later North Vietnamese forces overran the south. Economic reconstruction of the reunited country has proven difficult as aging Communist Party leaders have only grudgingly initiated reforms necessary for a free market. maptown.com ------------------------------------------------- THE GENEVA CONFERENCE Finally, a meeting was arranged to agree on a peace settlement for Vietnam. In April 1954, representatives from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the State of Vietnam, Kampuchea, Laos, China, France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States had a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, arranging a peace settlement. The fighting came to a halt in May 1954 when the Vietminh defeated the French in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. Following the battle the representatives in the Geneva Conference made a decision to divide Vietnam into two parts, North Vietnam and South Vietnam. They also made the decision to hold elections in 1956 to unite the country under one single government. cyberport.uqam.ca