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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lurqer who wrote (34507)	1/8/2004 5:23:11 PM
From: lurqer	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 89467

More on Hearts 'n' Minds vs Iron Hammer. Promised release of Iraqis creates chaos, anger at U.S. outside prison Hundreds of Iraqis waited for hours outside a Baghdad prison Thursday in hopes their relatives would be included in a much-publicized release. About 80 men were freed, but U.S. officials said they weren't part of the amnesty, and most Iraqi families left disappointed and angry at America. "Liars! Liars! They won't let them out!" one woman screamed in dismay before fainting. A coalition spokesman insisted the prisoner release was on track, but would be done quietly for reasons of "security and privacy." U.S. administrator L. Paul Bremer announced Wednesday that U.S. occupation forces would free 506 of some 12,800 Iraqi detainees. The first 100 were to be released Thursday from Abu Ghraib prison, where Saddam Hussein's regime tortured and murdered its opponents, Bremer said. Bremer said the amnesty was a conciliatory gesture as the United States seeks to win goodwill. Other coalition officials said they hoped it would encourage more people to come forward with intelligence tips. However, instead of generating goodwill for the coalition, the entire exercise appeared to have the opposite effect. At first light, hundreds of Iraqis gathered at the prison in hopes of greeting loved ones. As the hours passed, the crowd grew frustrated. Late in the afternoon, two truckloads of prisoners emerged from the compound, driven a half-mile away and deposited in the middle of the road. People rushed to their cars in pursuit, and a chaotic scene ensued as prisoners hugged and kissed relatives. But a U.S. official said it was a routine release of about 80 prisoners who were not covered by Bremer's amnesty. Most of those who had gathered outside the prison did not find their loved ones. "This has nothing to do with Bremer's announcement. These are the ones who are routinely released every week," said Lt. Col. Roy Shere, a spokesman for the 800th Military Police Brigade which runs prisons in Iraq. Those released appeared to include those loyal to Saddam -- as well as people who said they were simply in the wrong place when U.S. troops were attacked. Basel Basel, 25, was arrested in July in the northern city of Mosul on suspicion of "planning attacks against Americans" and seemed to think he was among prisoners granted amnesty. If amnesties continue, he said, "maybe there will be a reconciliation (because) all these people inside are innocent," said Basel, a former member of Saddam's Fedayeen militia. As he spoke, he was overwhelmed with questions about prisoners. The release of detainees has been a top demand of community and tribal leaders, as well as human rights advocates. Coalition officials insisted the amnesty release program was on track. "(Bremer) said that approximately 100 would be ready to be released today. They are ready," coalition spokesman Dan Senor said. But he said their release was being held up as officials waited for guarantors for their good conduct to step forward. At the prison, tribal and religious leaders wanted to know to whom they should present themselves as guarantors. "I don't trust the Americans. They are making more enemies for themselves now by arresting innocent people," said Jassin Rasheed, whose brother Omar was detained two months ago after fighting with a fellow security guard at an oil installation. "For revenge, they told the Americans that my brother is a terrorist," Rasheed said. There were many other claims of unjust detentions: Bedouins arrested as they tended sheep; a son taken away because he was near an attack on American troops; a name given to U.S. troops to settle an old score; a father arrested because he had a rifle in his car. "Everyone in Iraq has a gun," said Karim Mohammed, 30, who was detained along with his brother but released 10 days ago. He said police came to their home and asked for his brother by name, then arrested the two when they found an AK-47 in their home. Saqria Nejam said she has not seen her son since he was caught in a firefight Nov. 1, shot in the head and detained. "We are really the victims," she said. "Our country is taken, our sons are taken, our lives are destroyed." Bremer said Wednesday that those to be freed include Iraqis who worked against the U.S. occupation, but no one with "bloodstained hands." Senor said the schedule of the releases would not be announced "for both security and privacy reasons." U.S. assurances the releases would continue were little comfort to Ahlam Abdel Wahed, who waited more than nine hours at the prison for a son arrested at her home a month ago. She was left, alone, in the middle of the highway with no word of her son. "We heard of the (amnesty) decision, and I came running to here. Why did they do that?" she said, tears coursing down her cheeks. sfgate.com lurqer

To: lurqer who wrote (34507)	1/8/2004 5:43:22 PM
From: RealMuLan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 89467

>>I've seen a degree of detestation that would have resulted in riots had Jiang JingGuo attempted such a move.<< Taiwan independence only started to gain strength AFTER Jiang's death. So if Jiang could have time to finish the task, I don't think there would be any riot. My comment is from some fact, NOT my own assumption. I read from some HK/Taiwan publication (Chinese version). Before his death, Jiang already started to make some very high level contact with China. And it is too bad Jiang's death was unexpectedly fast. >>This is a new one for me. Do you happen to have some references?<< Not sure I can find it in English. I will try. It was Lenin's own word, that he was going to abandon all the imperialist treaties enforced on China by Russian imperialist gov.