The Saddam verdict
Alot has been made of the US politics of the Saddam verdict coming this Sunday before the election, and the general impression seems to be that this will be used by the White House for their political ends, but let me offer a different possibility indicated here,
In the past, major events have included a security crackdown which has been moderately effective, but this one I think is different. I think there's a fair chance that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday may be filled with bombings followed by rampant death squad killings.
When it was originated, this trial of Saddam was intended to act as reconciliation, a symbolic, fixed point through which Iraq could put their past conflicts and divisions behind them. But that's not where we are now.
Apparently fearing still more bloodshed after Sunday's expected announcement of a verdict in the trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, Iraq's defense minister has canceled leave for all soldiers.
Defense Minister Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi was heard issuing the order in video of a meeting between Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and senior military and security officials, in which al-Maliki upbraided them for failing to stop the capital's unbridled violence.
"All vacations will be canceled and all those who are on vacation must return," al-Obeidi said.
In the past, major events have included a security crackdown which has been moderately effective, but this one I think is different. I think there's a fair chance that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday may be filled with bombings followed by rampant death squad killings.
When it was originated, this trial of Saddam was intended to act as reconciliation, a symbolic, fixed point through which Iraq could put their past conflicts and divisions behind them. But that's not where we are now.
posted by mikevotes at
8:09 AM
3 Comments:
Hmmm...I just read a couple of days ago that the Saddam verdict was supposed to come down next Thursday. It seems they've moved it back up ahead of the mid-terms here. I'll never find that article now because it was also on Yahoo and they're notorious for keeping the same URL and pasting a different story in. For all I know it was that one there.
By
Chuck, at 5:15 PM
That's exactly what I'd seen. About a week ago, there were a number of stories saying that the verdict would be likely delayed because of the appearance.
The logical fear was that the veracity of the verdict would be questioned leading to still more violence.
Then, on the same day the US agreed to pull those checkpoints out of Sadr City, suddenly we started getiing conflicting reports, maybe it would move, maybe it wouldn't.
Today, the story is that Sunday is back on. (and, I would gather pretty firm if they're making security arrangements.
So, yeah, I saw it too. This stinks of US meddling.
And, the US forces and Iraqis are going to pay for it.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 5:42 PM
I take it as fact that Bush's Republican Guard, I mean foreign policy advisers, suggested the scheduling... in an "if you's know what's good for you's" kinda way.
I also take it as fact that the White House marketing department has two P.R. campaigns already prepared (depending on how the verdict falls) that will be the rhetorical equivalent of the Dresden bombing, in an attempt, through lies and vitriol, to capture the news cycles on the eve of the election.
I think we can expect an escalation of violence in Iraq regardless of the verdict... and I bet Bush will be unprepared (on the ground) for this. Another bloody example of his perverse crusade.
By
-epm, at 7:00 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home