Quote:
Originally posted by John D Harris:
"How can a superpower like the US put itself in a state of war with a small city like Falluja? This is genocide," he told AFP news agency on Friday, the first anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein.
How can a Superpower alow this to stand? If they do they cease to be a superpower! That was the Mistake in Sommalia, cut'n run'n because people were killed. As a child growing up during the Veitnam war 12 U.S. Marines killed in one day would have been called LIGHT casulaties for that day.
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I'd like to compare the difference in approach to that in Basra recently when Sadr's supporters filled the streets and occupied the government offices and police stations - a situation little difference in seriousness to that of Falluja on the eve of the US offensive.
"Shia protesters, led by Mr Sadr's aide Sheikh Abdel al-Satar al-Bahadli brandishing a sword, occupied the roof of the governor's office at dawn on Monday.
BBC correspondent Dumeetha Luthra said they were chanting "no to America, we'll sacrifice ourselves to Sadr" and waving pictures of their leader.
And how did the British react to this challenge to their authority?
In Basra, the British said: "Fine. You want to demonstrate and occupy buildings - no problem with us. Go right ahead, and we'll talk about it".
Two days later, the sieges ended with scarcely a shot fired in anger, leaving the British commander to remark smugly:
"One of the things we're trying to do here is encourage freedom of expression, and if they can come together and do it in that fashion then I think that's a very positive result."
BBC News
I agree that the US needs to resolve the Falluja problem or retreat from Iraq altogether. However, "overwhelming force" is not always an appropriate response - least of all in a densely populated zone. The risk with this strategy is gaining control of Falluja at the expense of losing control of the rest of the country. A year of hard work convincing Iraqi's of good intentions is being unravelled - and whatever trust that ordinary Iraqis have given the coalition might be lost forever if the carnage continues.
[ 04-10-2004, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Skunk ]