Iraq Announces New Security Measures

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051008/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

TIKRIT, Iraq - The Iraqi government on Saturday announced plans to clamp down with security measures including a curfew, weapons ban and a closure of the borders ahead of next week's constitutional referendum as Sunni Arabs geared up their campaign against the charter.

Politicians in Saddam Hussein's hometown, Tikrit, passed out copies of the constitution and urged followers to vote "no," while the main Sunni political factions were holding a meeting in Baghdad, apparently to organize their efforts to defeat the charter at the polls.

Elsewhere, violence continued a day after bomb blasts killed six Marines and the U.S. military announced that it had completed a major sweep in western Iraq aimed at suppressing al-Qaida militants before the constitutional vote. Two Iraqis were killed and 12 wounded Saturday in a series of roadside bombs and drive-by shootings nationwide.

A delegation from the Arab League was arriving in Iraq on Saturday to get a firsthand look at the tensions ahead of a proposed Iraqi "national reconciliation" conference. It was the first time the organization has tried to take a direct role in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

[Earth_First]

1. My cornflakes were soggy this morning...

Wait. What?

[Why Syzygy]

2. The Arabs are interested now?

Is that a hopeful sign?

I do believe "tensions" is not quite the word to use. How about murder and mayhem?

[enigma000]

4. Only took them 2 1/2 years

Wow, and they are holding a meeting too. And talking. Bet they will issue a statement!

[Judi Lynn]

3. Iraq Announces New Security Measures

Iraq Announces New Security Measures

Saturday October 8, 2005 4:46 PM

By ZEKI MAHMOUD
Associated Press Writer

TIKRIT, Iraq (AP) - The Iraqi government on Saturday announced plans to clamp down with security measures including a curfew, weapons ban and a closure of the borders ahead of next week's constitutional referendum as Sunni Arabs geared up their campaign against the charter.

The military also said two U.S. Army soldiers died of wounds sustained Friday during the River Gate offensive in western Iraq, bringing to eight the number of American service members killed in recent operations aimed at clearing the volatile area of militants.

With their deaths, at least 1,952 U.S. service members have died since the Iraq war started in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
(snip)

``There is a policy to provoke and push communities against each other,'' Moussa said. ``It is our policy in the Arab League that the time has come for us to talk seriously about bringing them together.''
(snip/...)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5330550,00.html

[Why Syzygy]

5. What?

What does that "policy" statement mean? THE TIME HAS COME?

This smacks.

[pinniped]

6. There's at least eight fewer bridges in the past week...

so that will surely limit the anti-infidel insurgent convoys.